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First They Killed My Father

A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

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First They Killed My Father

By: Loung Ung
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
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About this listen

One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung's family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed. Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.

©2000 Loung Ung (P)2011 Tantor Asia Historical Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Southeast Asia Women

Critic Reviews

"Ung's memoir should serve as a reminder that some history is best not left just to historians but to those left standing when the terror ends." ( Booklist)
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This is an incredible story of one person's family struggle through an inhumane time. A must read so we do not forget.

Despair and Love

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Speechless after such a intense life for a little girl who proved to be strong as her Pa always thought she would be.

One of the best books I have had read!

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could not stop listening,once I started this book, It had me in tears, more times than I'm willing to admit.

Compelling and Beautiful told

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after visiting Cambodia previously it was riveting to listen to the first hand account from someone who was actually there. so sad in places but an amazing life story.

Best book I have listened to in a long while.

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This book gave me a greater understanding of the suffering individuals endured during Pol Pot's reign of terror.

The narration by Tavia, intensified the experiences and emotions that Luong, her family and others endured. Loung did not sugarcoat her experiences and thoughts. She described with openness and honesty what she experienced, how she reacted to those experiences and the thoughts that filled her mind.

It is good to see that Loung has not only survived this horrific experience, she has also been able to help many people.

Parents should listen and decide if their child is emotionally mature enough to listen or read this book.

She used her horrific life experience to help many

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Worth the listen, very raw very intense give it a listen crazy thing to happen

Wow just wow

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I enjoyed the story, but it wasn’t the most interesting that I have listened to about the Cambodia civil war. I would recommend- “surviving year zero”- I thought this was more insightful into the actions of the war.

Good story

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I hope I never have to hear a story like this again... Greatest respect to the storyteller for sharing

A sad but true story

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Having visited the killing fields and torture centres in Cambodia before and watched the movie, I thought it would not be a new experience for me to read the book. First of all I have to credit the narrater, I could relate to story through her voice. I just finished reading it and I can't express how I feel . I felt like crying, I hyperventilated few times while reading it. This story shows a side of humans that you might be better off not knowing at all. What it means to be a human and what humans are capable of doing ? There are some stories that you never recover from. I wish nothing of these had happened in reality. A book like this puts your feet on the ground and makes you forget all your dissatisfaction of life and teaches you to be grateful for everything you have had in life. Simple things, like 3 meals in a day and a family.

it's a journey through different colours of humani

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I can understand why not everybody loved this book. it's written from the perspective of what a child saw and experienced, so should be considered as this. I loved it. Brutally honest, vividly remembered, tragic, hopeful. I really enjoyed this.

Beautiful read

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