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Alive in the Killing Fields: The True Story of Nawuth Keat, a Khmer Rouge Survivor
Alive in the Killing Fields is the real-life memoir of Nawuth Keat, a man who survived the horrors of war-torn Cambodia. He has now broken a longtime silence in the hope that telling the truth about what happened to his people and his country will spare future generations from similar tragedy.
In this captivating memoir, a young Nawuth defies the odds and survives the invas...more
In this captivating memoir, a young Nawuth defies the odds and survives the invas...more
Hardcover, 112 pages
Published
October 13th 2009
by National Geographic Children's Books
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With its slight size and subject matter, this one was an easy sell during a recent memoirs collaboration project.
Bunpah, or Mop (as everyone calls him), and his family are awoken in the middle of the night by gunshots and find their Cambodian world completely turned upside down. By morning, his mother, little sister, aunt, uncle, grandmother, and babysitter are dead. Mop is shot several times in the arm.
Since his father is a successful rice farmer and one of the richest men in his village, he is...more
Bunpah, or Mop (as everyone calls him), and his family are awoken in the middle of the night by gunshots and find their Cambodian world completely turned upside down. By morning, his mother, little sister, aunt, uncle, grandmother, and babysitter are dead. Mop is shot several times in the arm.
Since his father is a successful rice farmer and one of the richest men in his village, he is...more
The book that I read was " Alive In The Killing Fields". A true story about a young boy, scared for life by his family being killed in front of him, has to face a horrible path. He looks for any way possible to get out of the Khmer Rogue and find a better life for all. He was one of the smartest out of the village, and he knows how to survive. The only person alive with him is his father, which later on he doesn't see for a while but after all the lucky times he's been caught but not killed, he...more
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Nawuth Keat emigrated to the United States when he was 18 years old after surviving and escaping the rule of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia where he grew up. When he was in college at San Jose City College in California, Nawuth decided to share his family's story of oppression during the 1970s and 1980s when the Khmer Rouge was in power. Even though Nawuth graduated in three years from a California high school, his English was still somewhat broken so he collaborated with his college professor who...more
Nov 28, 2011
Wesley Bildilli
added it
The book that i read was " Alive In The Killing Fields". a story about a young man named Nawuth Keat who lived in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge occupation. The book was written to show the life story of Nawuth and to show the world the horrible things that happen to other people. The theme of the book is to love and cherish who you've got because you never know when you may lose them. It also tells you not to complain about what you have because some people have it worse off than you. This bo...more
Alive in the Killing Fields was a difficult book to read. As someone peripherally aware of the Cambodian genocide, it was always just statistics and death tolls to me until I read this book.
Mr. Keat certainly wasn't a poet. His prose is stark and sometimes elementary. Note that this is not a criticism. His spartan retelling of his experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge illustrates the bleakness and despair of what he went through in a way a more eloquent text might not have captured.
There a...more
Mr. Keat certainly wasn't a poet. His prose is stark and sometimes elementary. Note that this is not a criticism. His spartan retelling of his experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge illustrates the bleakness and despair of what he went through in a way a more eloquent text might not have captured.
There a...more
A true story about a young boy, scared for life by his family being killed in front of him, has to face a horrible path. He looks for any way possible to get out of the Khmer Rogue and find a better life for all. He was one of the smartest out of the village, and he knows how to survive. The only person alive with him is his father, which later on he doesn't see for a while but after all the lucky times he's been caught but not killed, he reaches his goal and escapes the village, and makes it to...more
An easy read for students. I finished it in a day. It's almost more harrowing for its simplicity and childlike prose. Nawuth tells about his growing up during the Cambodian genocide so matter of factly, with almost a sardonic detachment. He has a firm grasp of the politics of his country, so the writing is a good blend of his personal story with the political shapings of the genocide.
If students are doing a research paper on the Cambodian genocide, they could use this as a source for generic fac...more
If students are doing a research paper on the Cambodian genocide, they could use this as a source for generic fac...more
Alive In The Killing Fields National Geographic Children’s Books., 2009,112 hc., $15.95
Nawuth Keat & Martha Kendall ISBN 978-1-4263-0515-3
After Nawuth’s house was burnt by the Khmer Rouge they were forced to hide. But hiding on a battle field proves difficult. Once caught it is hard to escape. The Khmer Rouge are forcing 11 year old Nawuth and his family to work in there rice fields.
Each family only gets one handful of rice each night but nothing to cook the rice with, families are being...more
Nawuth Keat & Martha Kendall ISBN 978-1-4263-0515-3
After Nawuth’s house was burnt by the Khmer Rouge they were forced to hide. But hiding on a battle field proves difficult. Once caught it is hard to escape. The Khmer Rouge are forcing 11 year old Nawuth and his family to work in there rice fields.
Each family only gets one handful of rice each night but nothing to cook the rice with, families are being...more
This is the riveting tale of a young Cambodian boy whose family was uprooted from their home during the reign of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Although his family was separated and many members died during this time period, Nawuth was able to survive because of his resourcefulness and drive to endure. The reader will be amazed at what Nawuth went through and be uplifted with his success at making a life for himself. This book would be an inspiration for readers at the same time it is educating th...more
Great read for those who like war stories/ refugee stories or for a primary source lesson. The struggle against the Khmer Rouge regime and it's terrorist attacks on Cambodia's citizens. Just enough horror without overwhelming middle grade readers. Focus on one family and how they try to survive and stay together. This might be a good read for election season...
Alive in the killing fields is the true story of Nawuth Keaton who survived the Khmer Rogue and the leadership of Pol Pot in the mid 1970's. I read this book as my in-laws lived in Cambodia and talked about the reign of Pol Pot. From page one, I was drawn it to the tragedy this man endured. While a short book at 127 pages, it truly is a must read.
I've been fascinated with Cambodia since my 5th grade country project, where we served rice and gummy worms to our fellow classmates. I enjoyed the story but the writing bothered me: it was too long in some parts and there was not enough description in others. Not to say this isn't a deep novel but the writing was too distracting to give it full credit.
Of all the autobiographies I've read on Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, this was the driest. I don't know if it's just his personal style or if he didn't want to bring up too many phantoms (and who would blame him?), but reading this felt more like reading a dictionary entry. Interesting, but not emotionally gripping.
I grabbed a copy of this at ALA and read it on the plane ride home. It is a short book, but I think it made better. The book is the story of Nawuth Keat's life and escape from Cambodia, so it doesn't need to be long. The co-author could have added more information and a background of the Khmer Rouge, but I think it would have been a distraction.
When Nawuth Keat was nine years old, his life changed forever. The Khmer Rouge (Red Communists) were gaining control and spreading terror in Cambodia, and Keat's family was targeted by the group. After the murder of several of his family members, Keat and his remaining relatives were forced to work for the Khmer Rouge doing farming projects while living on only a minimal amount of food. Facing starvation, Keat had to be creative in how to obtain food to keep himself and his loved ones alive.
Keat...more
Keat...more
written from the perspective of a child, it reads like it. it does give a lot of information on a timeline about what happened to the main character. but because he was a child and this is his story, it doesn't really give a lot of detail about what was happening in the country as a whole.
This real life memoir of Nawuth Keat is about how is survived the invasion of the Khamar Rouge. Though Nawuth endured physical abuse, starvation and deplorable conditions plus the loss of family members his biggest desire was to stay alive. Inspires the reader to never give up hope.
Nov 03, 2011
Juan Garcia
added it
This book is really good it has bravery and a boys unstoppable courage to get through all of the slaughterings. He was unfortunate enough to see most of his family killed. He starts working in the fields all day. It is a really good book I reccomend you check out the book.
I must sound like a real dick saying this, but Alive in the Killing Fields is a complete letdown, even for the adolescent readers it is geared to. Nawuth Keat has a story to tell about the Khmer Rouge but he's not the guy to tell it (at least not without some professional assistance). The editors need to remove all the little anecdotes about his playing games with his siblings and help him locate a stronger narrative. I understand that the tamer asides are meant to provide levity to the grim top...more
Quite amazing, well-written memoir about a horrifying experience. One of those books that make you look around your own life, with all your everyday problems, and appreciate what you have (and have had, probably)!
An amazing story, healed back by the cyclical storytelling style. Most adults would love it, but I think kids would have a hard time comprehending the timeline of events.
A quick read. Terrible to read about the way these people suffered; inspireing to read about the way they carried on, survived, and reached freedom.
A difficult story, yet a hopeful one that points out the strength of family in the midst of impossible suffering.
The story is heart wrenching but the writing is annoying. Had it been any longer I might not have finished.
Excellent true story of one survivor of the Cambodian genocide. Not for weak stomachs.
A good book for middle school/high school students who know nothing about the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. The writing is a bit unemotional and basic for my personal taste, but my students loved it.
A truly gut-wrenching and tragic narrative.
A quick but powerful read.
Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2010
Ages 11+
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