Book Description
In Cambodia's recent, tragic past, no figure looms larger or more ominously than that of Pol Pot. Yet information about his life and career is largely inaccessible. In this first book-length study of the man, the historian David P. Chandler casts light on the shadowy figure of Pol Pot, illuminating the ideas and behavior of this enigmatic man and his entourage against the background of post-World War II events, providing a key to understanding this horrific, pivotal period of Cambodian history. In this revised edition, Chandler provides new information on the state of Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge following the death of Pol Pot in 1997.
Customer Reviews:
An early work.......2006-12-14
This is an early, perhaps one of the first full length, biographies of Pl Pot, the man who lead the Cambodian genocide. A prodigy of a middle class family he went to France where he became a radical communist and journeyed back with other Cambodians he had met where the led a long revolution against the government of Cambodia that lasted from 1965-1975. Upon gaining power they emptied the cities and some 2 million of an overall population of only 8 million, died in Cambodia. He suppressed and committed genocide against the Muslim Chams of Cambodia and he deported and murdered almost a quarter of a million Vietnamese. Despite the fact that he also destroyed the Chinese community of Cambodia he was supported by China. In 1976 the Vietnamese invaded and Pol Pot fled into the mountains. He and his movement, the Khmer Rouge, survived up until 2003. This book is therefore outdated but well written. Only two journalists, both of whome supported the genocide, were in Cambodia during the war and therefore there was little knowledge at the time.
Seth J. Frantzman
The way to make friends is not to kill people.......2003-09-05
Prof. Chandler discovered the real face behind Pol Pot (Saloth Sar), the initially enigmatic leader of the Red Khmer in Cambodia. He wrote a hallucinatory and tragic biography.
The background of Pol Pot is common for many Communist Party (CP) members. He was recruited by the local CP when he studied in a foreign country. For Pol Pot, it was in France where the CP was totally controlled by the USSR and her Stalinist doctrine. The USSR recruited foreign members everywhere in order to use them as antennas all over the world.
When Pol Pot took power in Cambodia, he applied the Stalinist doctrine ruthlessly.
The similarities with Stalin are eminently striking: power struggle at the top of the party and liquidation of the old fellows, savage party purges, murderous goulags, indiscriminate collectivization, ethnic cleansing, deportation, show trials, forced confessions under torture, affectionate with little daughter, considering as enemies of the State those Khmer who came from a foreign country, fear of assassination, suspicious, dictatorial (didn't accept the slightest form of criticism).
Under Pol Pot, it went even so far that people who 'knew' an enemy where executed. The result: a genocide. Even children and BABIES were put to death.
David Chandler shows us that Pol Pot was really a dedicated communist, a party man, an organization man, a utopian thinker who believed in his killer's utopia till the end: "I did everything for my country".
A blatant lie: he did it only for his Khmer country and only for those Khmer who (were forced to) agree(d) with him. In other words, his utopia was more than nationalism, it was racism. For Pol Pot knew that 'Class and hatred had produced the victory. So hatred had to be maintained'.
This book contains excellent explanations of the background of the Cambodian conflict with Vietnam, and how Cambodia became a chess piece in a world conflict between the US, China and the USSR. Pol Pot's regime was supported by the US, because Cambodia was an enemy of Vietnam, who was an ally of the USSR.
This book stresses also the disastrous role of the feudalist king Norodom Sihanouk and the decisive influence of the US bombings of Cambodia, which turned part of the Khmer peasantry in favour of the Red Khmer.
Pol Pot's regime is a shame for Western intelligentsia, because some of his cronies (Khieu Samphan) studied like Pol Pot at Western universities.
This terrible biography is a reminder of the deadly dangers of utopian doctrines, if they can be implemented by a totally convinced individual who possesses a dictatorial power in a single ountry. As David Chandler states: the genocide would have continued, if Pol Pot had stayed in power.
A must read.
Brother Number One.......2003-08-24
I thought that this book was extremely well written and intellectually stimulating. While providing as many details about Pol Pot's life as can be found, Chandler also integrates this information into the recent history of Cambodia. He seems to believe that Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge can only be understood in the context of the times, and this definitely rings true after reading the book. True, he does offer a lot of interpretation and conjecture on Pol Pot's life and motives, but this is the job of the historian. Rarely do historical documents, especially documents about the Khmer Rouge, provide such information. Those who intend to understand and write about these events, are therefore forced to do this kind of interpretive work. So do not listen the first review given on this page. This book is awesome.
Pol Pot - still hard to grasp.......2003-02-16
If you are looking for a history of the Khmer Rouge regime, I'd rather recommend one of Ben Kiernan's books. If you are looking for a well-documented biography of Pol Pot, you are not going to like this book.
True, the author has gathered as much information on Pol Pot as possible, but that amount of information could be summarised on just a few pages. To make it into a book, you get a history of Cambodia - and there are better ones around than this one -, and lots of speculation about Pol Pot's psychology, which I found annoying.
As much info as you're going to get on Pol Pot.......2000-08-15
I salute David Chandler for finding as much information on Pol Pot as he did. There just isn't much out there, which is a great shame.
Chandler does a good job with what he's got. I can't fault the guy for his research or his conclusions. However, I never got any kind of sense of Saloth Sar/Pol Pot. What were his interests? What really motivated him? We'll never know.
The version of this book that I read was updated to include Nate Thayer's interview and the last years of Pol Pot's life (to the extent that anyone knows about it). I'm eager to read Thayer's book (which is nearly impossible to get ahold of).
I'm afraid that this is as good as there's going to be until a scholar in a Cambodian university takes on this project. There's way more information here than anywhere else that I've seen, but it's still pretty thin. I hope more comes to light on this important historical figure.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Pacific Affairs, published by University of British Columbia on December 22, 2000. The length of the article is 1191 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: BROTHER NUMBER ONE: A Political Biography of Pol Pot, Revised Edition & VOICES FROM S-21: Terror and History in Pol Pot's Secret Prison.(Review)
Author: D. Gordon Longmuir
Publication:
Pacific Affairs (Refereed)
Date: December 22, 2000
Publisher: University of British Columbia
Volume: 73
Issue: 4
Page: 620
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Pacific Affairs, published by University of British Columbia on March 22, 1995. The length of the article is 824 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Brother Number One: A Political Biography of Pol Pot.
Author: Laura Summers
Publication:
Pacific Affairs (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1995
Publisher: University of British Columbia
Volume: v68
Issue: n1
Page: p140(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
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Brother Number One: a Political Biography of Pol Pot
Manufacturer: Silkworm Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
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Marxism
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ASIN: 1863734678 |
Book Description
A brilliantly inventive, fabulously illustrated addition to the Far- Flung Adventures series from the award-winning, bestselling author and
illustrator team Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. Set in the same world as the Fergus Crane and Corby Flood stories, this is the tale of a small boy, Hugo Pepper, and his amazing exploits. Raised in the Frozen North by reindeer herders, his parents eaten by polar bears when he was just a baby, Hugo discovers that the sled they arrived in has a very special compass—one that can be set to "Home." And so Hugo arrives in Firefly Square—to discover a group of very special friends, and a dastardly enemy. With three-toed snowmen, a secret buried treasure, and a host of fabulous stories, this is a fantastic new tale in this series.
Customer Reviews:
Marvelous series for young (or young at heart) readers.......2007-05-18
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell first came to attention with their intriguing series, the Edge Chronicles. These books conformed to a recent trend in children's books of having well made hardcover editions sized for young readers' hands filled with Mr. Riddell's brilliant illustrations. I have been reading this series to my two sons, age 7 and 8. The difficulty is that as attractive as these books are, the Edge Chronicles are not really appropriate for younger readers. There is some complex psychology of guilt and blame, some very gory descriptions and deaths, and some quite scary moments. I have had to edit as I read aloud, and even skip a few paragraphs.
This is to put into context what a joy the Far Flung Adventures series is. You get the same clever plot, whimsical inventions, incredibly beautiful illustrations and striking characters we have come to expect from this creative team. However, it is all very much accessible to kids under age 12. There may be danger or the threat of violence but there is no imagery or description that would give a parent pause. The protagonists in all the books are younger than the Edge books, making it easy for kids to identify with the heros/heroines.
My boys have loved Fergus Crane and Corby Flood, and were swept away with Hugo Pepper. They love leafing through the book to look at the illustrations, unfolding the gorgeous map and referring back to the earlier books to characters and events referred to in the latest installment. They are captivated by the plot and held breathless by the adventure.
In this book Hugo Pepper comes back to Harbor Heights from the Frozen North on a flying sled, and lands in the middle of a mystery that involves dastardly deeds, conniving characters and perhaps lost pirate treasure.
If your children are fans of Spiderwick or Harry Potter they are in for a real treat! Did I mention I liked it too?
Young fantasy readers will relish the action........2007-04-14
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's HUGO PEPPER comes from the author of the Edge Chronicles but provides a different adventure in a set of 'far flung' travels of one Hugo Pepper. Magic and adventure blend for advanced elementary to middle school readers, powered by black and white drawings throughout and providing a swift action-packed story based on a flying sled time machine. Young fantasy readers will relish the action.
Go for Hugo.......2007-03-31
This is the third book in the "Far Flung Adventures" series by the dynamic duo that gave us "The Edge Chronicles". This adventure series is for younger readers from about eight, and each book includes a fold out map cleverly disguised as a dust jacket.
Although each one can be read on its own, you should still read Far-Flung Adventures: Fergus Crane (Far-Flung Adventures) and Far-Flung Adventures: Corby Flood (Far-Flung Adventures), because there are sneaky references to these highly imaginative books in Hugo Pepper.
In a nutshell, young Hugo Pepper is rescued from the perils of the Frozen North by a couple of reindeer herders after his parents become the special of the day for a pack of marauding polar bears. Ten years later, he sets off to find his real home, and lands up in Firefly Square, where he meets a cast of eccentric and magical characters, including land-loving mermaids, tea-blenders, moth-eating dogs, and cloud sheep whose wool is in high demand, to say the least. The villains in this book are exceptional also - a snooping, conniving cat lady and an editor with an axe to grind who controls a work force of snow monsters.
Filled with action, adventure, intrigue and even treasure-hunting, this book is another must-read from Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.
Amanda Richards, March 31, 2007
Average customer rating:
- Will anyone believe her discoveries aboard the ship?
- The second Far-Flung Adventure is like a pleasure cruise
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Far-Flung Adventures: Corby Flood (Far-Flung Adventures)
Paul Stewart , and
Chris Riddell
Manufacturer: David Fickling Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Far-Flung Adventures: Fergus Crane (Far-Flung Adventures)
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Far-Flung Adventures: Hugo Pepper (Far-Flung Adventures)
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Muddle Earth
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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
ASIN: 0385750900
Release Date: 2006-08-22 |
Book Description
The second magical, funny, and fabulously illustrated story in the Far Flung Adventures from the authors of Fergus Crane and the Edge Chronicles.
Corby Flood and her family are about to set sail on the rather ramshackle cruise ship, the S.S. Euphonia. Her boisterous brothers might not have noticed that anything is wrong, but Corby is highly observant and has a lot of time for note-taking and eavesdropping. Onboard, among the odd passengers and eccentric crew, there is a strange group of men in bowler-hats who call themselves The Brotherhood of Clowns. There's also a melancholy wailing sound coming from the hold. It's strictly out of bounds but Corby can't help investigating. What could be inside the crate she discovers down in the hold? As the ship arrives at its destination, Corby must enlist the help of some very well mustachioed locals to uncover the contents of the crate and the dark secrets of the menacing Clowns...
Customer Reviews:
Will anyone believe her discoveries aboard the ship?.......2006-11-06
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's CORBY FLOOD provides the second installment to 'Far Flung Adventures' - but no previous familiarity with the series is required to enjoy this, unrelated in plot to the first FERGUS CRANE of the series. Corby faces a cruise ship full of amazing devices and eccentric passengers when she and her family embark on an adventure. She also notices something isn't right - and uncovers a scheme. But will anyone believe her discoveries aboard the ship?
The second Far-Flung Adventure is like a pleasure cruise.......2006-09-24
If you're buying a book for a young reader in the seven to nine age group, you may want to consider this new series. Brought to you by the same people who did "The Edge Chronicles" (another excellent series, but for slightly older kids), this one has large, easy to read print, simple language and wonderful illustrations to help keep the story bubbling along. To add to the fun, the dust jacket opens up into a fold-out map based on the geographical setting of the story.
Corby Flood is the second book in the "Far-Flung Adventures" series, the first being Fergus Crane, also available from Amazon. The third one "Hugo Pepper" will be available in February 2007.
Corby Flood is an eight year old girl. She and her large family are aboard a shabby cruise ship heading along the Coast of Dalcretia on their way to a new school. Armed with her trusty travel advisory "Hoffendinck's Guide", Corby learns about all the exotic ports along the coast while keeping an eye on the other passengers. There are the sinister Brotherhood of the Clowns, the unintelligible Hattenswillers, the mysterious man from Cabin 2 and the smarmy, slimy Lieutenant Letchworth Smith, and then there's the creature in the crate.
Imaginative and action-packed, this one is highly recommended.
Amanda Richards, September 23, 2006
Book Description
FERGUS CRANE! YOU ARE IN GREAT DANGER! I AM SENDING HELP.
Signed T. C., your long-lost Uncle Theo
Fergus Crane has an almost ordinary life—having lessons taught by rather odd teachers on the school ship Betty Jeanne and helping his mother in the bakery. But then a mysterious flying box appears at the window of his waterfront home and Fergus is plunged headlong into an exciting adventure! The box is followed by a winged mechanical horse that whisks him off to meet his long-lost uncle and his penguin helpers, Finn, Bill, and Jackson. Fergus finds out that his teachers are not quite what they seem— they’re actually pirates! Can Fergus and his winged horse save his schoolmates on the far-off Fire Island? And who else will he find there?
Customer Reviews:
Far-Flung Fun for Tweens.......2007-07-25
My eleven year old daughter really enjoys reading this book series. Even my four year old little girl enjoys listening to the adventure and viewing all of the artwork throughout the stories pages.
Must-Read.......2007-07-09
I have have just read my sons (9 and 6) this book. They were completely enraptured. It is the best, new childrens book I have read in years. Destined to become a classic!
Whimsical and delightful.......2007-01-30
I read this book first, to see if my children would like it. I am CERTAIN they will, but I had to write this review first because I loved it! It is just pure whimsy and delight! There are fanciful gadgets, wonderfully descriptive passages, adventure, mayhem, funny happenings, etc. Awesome pictures too! Which, even though I plan to read it aloud, it may be better for a 8-10 independent reader who wants to spend time pouring over the illustrations. I can't wait to read the next one myself!
Loved it!.......2006-12-04
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell have a fantastic partnership. If you love the Edge Chronicles, you'll be pleased by this fairy tale. It is intended for a bit younger reader/has a gentler tone than the somewhat dark Edge Chronicles. The story is engaging and funny, though, so older kids and adults will enjoy it, too.
Thanks, Stewart and Riddell, for helping thousands of children learn to love books.
Fling me Farther!!!.......2006-10-10
My 10 yr old daughter read this book and could not put it down. As soon as she finished this one, she was looking for Corby. She is looking forward to the Hugo book.
I think the far fetched imagination in this book is funny but also brings in a few issues that are real but dealt with in a funny way. It gives kids a fun and challenging book to read.
Book Description
Sometimes the smallest creatures have the biggest and most extraordinary adventures. Homer, a ruby-throated hummingbird no bigger than your index finger, journeys from the lush, tropical rain forests of Costa Rica to an artist's garden in Michigan. His journey and his life are full of danger, distance, and delightful friendships.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful book!.......2005-09-27
Cynthia Furlong Reynolds, author of The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer has accomplished something extremely difficult in the children's book world. She has written a delightful, informative and educational children's book.
And Catherine McClung's illustrations are positively luscious! The pages are so beautiful they could be framed. Children will enjoy looking at the illustrations but adults will be mesmerized by them.
Homer, a ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny bird (the size of an index finger). The story is Homer's journey from the rain forest of Costa Rica to the Michigan garden of an artist. The journey is filled with adventure, excitement, danger and friendship. But what adds to this special story is that it is packed with interesting information.
Armchair Interviews says: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer is a beautiful book to keep forever.
A delightful picturebook following the adventures of a ruby-throated hummingbird .......2005-09-14
Award-winning journalist Cynthia Reynolds and hummingbird admirer and artist Catherine McClung present The Far- Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer, a delightful picturebook following the adventures of a ruby-throated hummingbird (no bigger than a person's index finger!) and his long journey from the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica to an artist's garden in Michigan. The moody, expansive color artwork is the perfect complement to the exciting tale, which is based on true stories of hummingbird behavior during their migrations, which can stretch up to 2,500 miles. Highly recommended reading for introducing young people to the bravery and resourcefulness of little feathered friends.
Average customer rating:
- Immigrants - Why?
- People need to have this kind of experience
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Children of the Far-Flung
Geraldine O'Connell Cusack
Manufacturer: Liffey Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Winds the Road North
ASIN: 1904148336 |
Customer Reviews:
Immigrants - Why?.......2004-04-09
Read this book if you want to make sense of what is happening in the world today - It is funny, magical, strong and sometimes bewildering. Why do some immigrants find it hard to become Americans? Read it and find out.
People need to have this kind of experience.......2004-04-06
November 17, 2003
I really appreciate the opportunity to read Geraldine's
book over the past few days. I can tell you this, it has been a long,
long time since I was able to "feel" a book I was reading. I was "in the
picture" the whole time. I guess the time span (which pretty much matched
my own) helped because I remember so much of what those times were like.
I found that being a Sicilian-Scotch Catholic wasn't so different from
being Irish Catholic in America. We all had so many of the same
experiences that we are truly all nearly the same. Geraldine's book
unfolded in my hands and I felt excitement and worry for Michael Joe as he
followed his heart and became a renegade and a hero. I would love to have
met him. Everything was so counter balanced by Nellie. It broke my heart
a little when he lost her and followed soon after. What a testament to
love and "being one". I feel like I've learned so much about what Ireland
must really be like....not the travel stuff that we all know, but the true
heart, spirit and geography of what must be an incredible land......What a truly delightful clan. I hope this
book does very well. People need to have this kind of experience...My
only regret, having finished the book, is what now?
Thanks, again, to you for bringing the book to me and, certainly, thanks
to Geraldine for putting it all down on paper.
Don Senger
houston, texas
Average customer rating:
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Far-Flung America (New Enchantment of America State Books)
John Allan Carpenter
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding
General
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ASIN: 0516041525 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2528 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Developing a lifetime adventure-skills curriculum, the southeast Alaska model: multi-age classrooms, far-flung schools, no physical educators - and you thought you had problems?
Author: Timothy J. Wallstrom
Publication:
JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 76
Issue: 6
Page: 36(4)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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