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Cambodia's Curse: The Modern History of a Troubled Land Paperback – Illustrated, 4 Sept. 2012

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

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A generation after the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia shows every sign of having overcome its history- the streets of Phnom Penh are paved skyscrapers dot the skyline. But under this façade lies a country still haunted by its years of terror. Joel Brinkley won a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting in Cambodia on the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime that killed one quarter of the nation's population during its years in power. In 1992, the world came together to help pull the small nation out of the mire. Cambodia became a United Nations protectorate- the first and only time the UN tried something so ambitious. What did the new, democratically-elected government do with this unprecedented gift? In 2008 and 2009, Brinkley returned to Cambodia to find out. He discovered a population in the grip of a venal government. He learned that one-third to one-half of Cambodians who lived through the Khmer Rouge era have P.T.S.D.- and its afflictions are being passed to the next generation. His extensive close-up reporting in Cambodia's Curse illuminates the country, its people, and the deep historical roots of its modern-day behaviour.
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Review

"A heartbreaking but vital status report on a people who deserve far better."--Booklist

"A riveting piece of literary reportage."--
Publishers Weekly

"An excellent...account of a country whose historic poverty, exacerbated by the Vietnam War, remains remarkably unchanged."--
Kirkus, February 15, 2011

"Brinkley cuts a clear narrative path through the bewildering, cynical politics and violent social life of one of the worlds most brutalized and hard-up countries."--
Foreign Affairs, May/June 2011

Book Description

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist "cuts a clear narrative path through the bewildering, cynical politics and violent social life of one of the world's most brutalized and hard-up countries." (Foreign Affairs)

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ PublicAffairs; Illustrated edition (4 Sept. 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1610391837
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1610391832
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 2.64 x 20.96 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

About the author

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Joel Brinkley
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Joel Brinkley is a professor of journalism at Stanford University, a position he assumed in 2006 after a 23-year career with The New York Times. There, he served as a reporter, editor and Pulitzer Prize winning foreign correspondent.

At Stanford, Brinkley writes an op-ed column on foreign policy that appears in about 50 newspapers and Websites in the United States and around the world each week, syndicated by Tribune Media Services.

Brinkley is a native of Washington D.C., and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his journalism career at the Associated Press and over the following years worked for the Richmond (Va.) News Leader and the Louisville Courier Journal before joining the Times in 1983.

At The New York Times, Brinkley served as Washington correspondent, White House correspondent and chief of the Times Bureau in Jerusalem, Israel. He spent more than 10 years in editing positions including Projects Editor in Washington, Political Editor in New York and Investigations Editor in Washington following the September 11 attacks. He served as political writer in Baghdad during the fall of 2003. He also covered technology issues including the Microsoft anti-trust trial and was serving as foreign-policy correspondent when he left the Times in June 2006.

Over the last 30 years Brinkley has reported from 46 states and more than 50 foreign countries. He has won more than a dozen national reporting and writing awards. He won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1980 and in the following years was twice a finalist for an investigative reporting Pulitzer (for one, as a member of a team). He was a director of the Fund for Investigative Journalism from 2001 to 2006.

Mr. Brinkley is the author of five books: The Iran-Contra Affair (with Steve Engelberg) published by Times Books in 1988; The Circus Master's Mission, a novel, published by Random House in 1989; Defining Vision: The Battle for the Future of Television , published by Harcourt Brace in 1998; U.S. vs. Microsoft: The Inside Story of the Landmark Case (with Steve Lohr) published by McGraw Hill in 2001; and Cambodia’s Curse: The Modern History of a Troubled Land, published by Public Affairs Books in 2011. He has also contributed to several other books, including the chapter on George W. Bush in The American Presidency, published by Houghton Mifflin in 2004.

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides a comprehensive insight into Cambodia. They find it fascinating and enlightening, providing a guide on the mindset of the people. However, opinions differ on how readable the prose is. Some find it riveting and understandable, while others find it difficult to understand and frustrating.

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13 customers mention ‘Information quality’13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and accessible. It provides a comprehensive insight into the complex country and gives them a guide on the mindset of the Cambodians. The case studies are helpful for them, providing a welcome background that helps them talk with people and read the news with some understanding.

"...I intend no criticism. The plethora of case studies that pepper 'Cambodia's Curse' give a more than adequate picture of the continuing hardships..." Read more

"...I found it useful and upsetting. At some points I just wanted to stop reading it because it was too disturbing but was compelled to carry on...." Read more

"...The history of this country is complicated and I felt that the reader was given an unbiased record...." Read more

"Very informative and accessible. Slightly repetitive - structure/timeline could have been better...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Readable’6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it engaging and well-written, helping them understand the events. Others find it difficult to understand, frustrating, and repetitive.

"...Brinkley's prose is highly readable and his arguments balanced and reasonable...." Read more

"...The book was recommended by our Tour Manager. It is a very understing read and help you understand what went on durung and after the time of Paul..." Read more

"...and the treatment of the people from fellow human beings quite difficult to understand." Read more

"...Well written and would certainly want to ready more of Brinkley's stuff." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2012
    Congratulations to Joel Brinkley for this 'warts and all' assessment of modern Cambodia. It is high time the truth was told about Hun Sen, his self-seeking regime and the wanton betrayal of a nation that has suffered enough. No-one escapes Brinkley's criticism, particularly the UN and Cambodia's donor nations, though he rightly reserves his most barbed passages for Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party.

    I could not put this book down and read it in three sittings. Brinkley's prose is highly readable and his arguments balanced and reasonable. He chooses his examples well and his compassion and sympathy for Cambodia's repressed citizens is palpable.

    There were several omissions that I would like to have seen included, though these in no way detract from a comprehensive picture of modern Cambodia. The notorious, incendiary, case of the murder of Piset Pilika shows the ruling elite in all its monstrosity, as does the acid attack on the nightclub singer Tat Marina. There is also no mention of the oligarch Sok Kong and the [unspecified] income he reaps from the ticket boothes at Angkor Wat.

    I intend no criticism. The plethora of case studies that pepper 'Cambodia's Curse' give a more than adequate picture of the continuing hardships and injustices visited on Khmer citizens. Please read this extraordinary book - modern Cambodia continues to be overlooked by the world, just as Cambodia was overlooked in the late 1970s. Joel Brinkley deserves huge credit for trying to change this state of affairs.

    'Cambodia's Curse' by Joel Brinkley: highly recommended.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2016
    I Read this just before I went to Cambodia, wanting to find out about the place I was going to. I found it useful and upsetting. At some points I just wanted to stop reading it because it was too disturbing but was compelled to carry on. It certainly enlightened my trip, I was able to talk with people and read the news with I hope some understanding. Good to read that there is growing understanding about the trauma that groups as well as individuals suffer and the effect it will have on the generations if it goes untreated. Great book I would recommend it to those planning to go as well as those who are interested in what goes on in the world.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 June 2014
    Having visited Cambodia I found this book to be easy to read. The history of this country is complicated and I felt that the reader was given an unbiased record.
    I highlighted salient point so that I could refresh my memory when presented with further information. I would recommend it to anyone planning a visit, as I did, or wishing to understand more of the history.
    One warning is that the discovery of events is very sad and the treatment of the people from fellow human beings quite difficult to understand.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2015
    Very informative and accessible. Slightly repetitive - structure/timeline could have been better. Depressing - but that's due to the subject matter itself.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 November 2023
    Gives detailed descriptions of daily lives of Cambodians & the issues that plague society (e.g corruption, domestic violence, crime, lack of education, food & facilities, employment). Touches on attempts made by US & UN to install democracy & help the country progress. Explains the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge violence & how much of the populatiom suffers from PTSD, including the younger generation.

    Would have liked more of a historical overview + geography of Mekong river + history of the Khmer empire which is one of the big claims to fame for Cambodia.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2020
    Firstly, this book is obviously 9 years old now so is not going to take you through the most crucial aspects of events in Cambodia during the 2010s but it's a fantastic book still and gives you a guide on the mindset of the wonderful Cambodian people and events from the fallout of the Khmer Rouge to the 2000s. Be careful though because what Joseph Mussomeli said will ring true to those who like me fell in love with Cambodia.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2013
    I've recently visited Cambodia and went with very little knowledge of the history of the country. I was captivated by the people and the country and came home wanting to know more about Cambodia's past and why the country is the way it is now. Joel Brinkley's book is an excellent read - having spent time after the fall of the Khmer Rouge and then again a few years ago - gives you a comprehensive insight into this complex country.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 June 2015
    A very welcome background , although sad and depressing and totally frustrating it reflects how it must be and not how we would like it to be . Left with total empathy for the citizens of Cambodia who appear to have suffered through just being born there . A poor reflection on the rest of the worlds response and an indifference that is incomprehensible . Whilst never wishing the demise on anybody it may be preferable for a massive change at the top . A change from within must , however come first .
    Off to Cambodia within the next few weeks . Thanks for the insight and giving me a valuable perspective in my observations .
    Dave Derrington
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • nguyen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good to understand
    Reviewed in France on 26 September 2022
    Good book but very sad stories. The book helps to understand how the government used to rule Cambodia
  • Mary Rogl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on 19 May 2017
    Very interesting and gives good perspective of what people there are like
  • Vuthy Chrun
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book for people who want to learn more about ...
    Reviewed in Canada on 1 November 2015
    The corruption in Cambodia exists since the Angkor times. We all know that over 90% of the countries in this world are corrupt, and I am not talking only of the governments and their employees, but also of individuals in general when they deal with their families, friends, Government, business associates, work colleagues, employers and employees, etc., because this is the Human Nature. Race, religious faith or geographical location do not seem to have much differential effect on this human trait.
    The corruption intensity varies from country to country, in Cambodia it permeates the entire society. But what really sets Cambodia apart is:
    1) The atrocities of the civil war and of the ones committed by the Khmer Rouge.
    2) The UN has spent billions of dollars trying to build a truly democratic society when there has never been a culture of democracy or any proper political education of the people who were asked to participate in this exercise.
    3) Year after year aid donator countries continue to pour in close to a billion dollars in Cambodia, either to buy themselves a clear conscience for having watched the Khmer Rouge slaughter the population instead of doing something about it, or now to advance their political agenda.
    4) It generates more interest and scrutiny because of the above mentioned reasons.
    This is an excellent book for people who want to learn more about the present day Cambodia. This is also a great book for people who wants to see how a society operates, survives and thrives when it is catapulted from a state of total devastation and lawlessness to one where the survivor mentality is at its pinnacle.
  • Rainer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Einblicke in ein unbekanntes Land
    Reviewed in Germany on 11 January 2014
    Ich sah und kaufte das Buch am Ende eines kurzen Urlaubs in Siem Reap. Die großartigen Ruinen von Angkor Wat und den umliegenden Tempeln konnten nicht über die erdrückende Armut hinwegtäuschen, die dort herrscht. Wenn man das Buch liest, versteht man die Hintergründe besser. Aber es ist eine deprimierende Lektüre über ubiquitäre Korruption und Resignation eines ganzen Volkes unter den Augen der Weltgemeinschaft. Gut und engagiert geschrieben mit einigen Längen. Sehr zu empfehlen, wenn man mehr über dieses Land erfahren will.
  • Mark Reibman
    5.0 out of 5 stars "It will break your heart"
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 April 2011
    Updated on August 4, 2011

    Since my first trip to Cambodia in 2008 I've been an avid reader of books and articles available on Cambodia. The author, Joel Brinkley, returns to Cambodia nearly 30 years after his journalist assignment in 1979 right after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge. Now Mr. Brinkley takes a new look at Cambodia as he delves deeply, through extensive research and countless interviews into current day Cambodia and it's modern history. One of his most stunning quotes for me is that of former US Ambassador to Cambodia, Joseph Mussomeli, which sets the tone for the book. "Be careful, because Cambodia is the most dangerous place you will ever visit. You will fall in love with it , and eventually it will break your heart". Much of the information was not new to me. Corruption, violations of human rights, the subversion of a fledging democracy, cronyism, legal impunity, etc. You don't have to spend much time in Cambodia to learn about these things. But Joel Brinkley really takes the reader into the story more deeply. And if you have any connection to and affection for the people of Cambodia, it does break your heart. This book goes into a lot of detail yet is very readable. It takes the reader through some history and tries to make sense against Cambodia's historical context, why this corrupt system seems to flourish. For many westerners interested in and concerned about the present and future of Cambodia this book can help explain some stubbornly puzzling questions about Cambodia. The subject of this book can be very interesting though also depressing ( with it's title am i not stating the obvious? ).... but in the epilogue the author provides some worthwhile insights about the present and future of Cambodia and from where it's rays of hope may emanate.

    While i understand that no book is perfect and there are subjective impressions with which i disagree, this book is very well researched and a very worthwhile read. I highly recommend it. My only disagreement with the author is that i did not find the Cambodian people 'dour'. For sure, there is a great deal of emotional and mental damage and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as the author reports, but in general i find the Cambodian people much warmer and more loving than i do in my own country. The illuminating smile and loving presence of the mother i met at the hospital where she was sitting vigil to the long recovery of her daughter from her injuries in the Water Festival Stampede in November of 2010 is something i will long remember.

    I hope that this book gets a wide reading and helps people to better understand this neglected country and will be motivated to help in some way.