First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

Written by Loung Ung, First They Killed My Father is a first hand account of the 1975 Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia. Ung tells her families heart-wrenching story of the Cambodian Holocaust. The book details the events of April 17th, 1975 as the Khmer Rouge army invaded the Cambodian Capital, Phnom Penh. Ung (5 years old) and her family were forced to flee to what would eventually become known as "the killing fields". First They Killed My Father gives a detailed account of Ung's tragic childhood. She recalls her families fight for survival and the horrible war crimes committed by the ruthless Khmer Rouge. Ung's story is packed with emotions, giving the reader a detailed look into the vicious atrocities that shaped Ung's childhood. The book will certainly teach most readers to have a greater appreciation for an ordinary upbringing.


I would strongly recommend this book. 4.5/5