First They Killed My Father

Books for a Better Life Award, ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

Zusatztext "In this gripping narrative Loung Ung describes the unfathomable evil that engulfed Cambodia during her childhood! the courage that enabled her family to survive! and the determination that has made her an eloquent voice for peace and justice in Cambodia. It is a tour de force that strengthens our resolve to prevent and punish crimes against humanity." Informationen zum Autor Loung Ung was the National Spokesperson for the ?Campaign for a Landmine Free World,? a program of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for co-founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Ung lectures extensively, appears regularly in the media, and has made more than thirty trips back to Cambodia. She is also the author of Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind and LuLu in the Sky. Klappentext 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. Zusammenfassung From a childhood survivor of the Camdodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot! this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions! the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family! and their triumph of spirit. 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. ...

Auteur

Loung Ung was the National Spokesperson for the ?Campaign for a Landmine Free World,? a program of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for co-founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Ung lectures extensively, appears regularly in the media, and has made more than thirty trips back to Cambodia. She is also the author of Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind and LuLu in the Sky.

Texte du rabat

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.

Résumé

“A riveting memoir. . . an important, moving work that those who have suffered cannot afford to forget and those who have been spared cannot afford to ignore.” — San Francisco Chronicle

From a childhood survivor of the Cambodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot, this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit.

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.