I Survived the Killing Fields: The True Life Story of a Cambodian Refugee

by Seng Kok Ung

April 1975 stands as one of the worst days in the history of Cambodia. That is the day the Khmer Rouge soldiers overthrew the corrupt regime of Lon Lon. Literally, overnight, the whole population of Cambodia was thrown into the streets and were told to move to the countryside under the ruse that America was going to bomb the cities. Once the population was in the country the Khmer Rouge tortured and starved everyone. Those that did not die from starvation were worked to death. Millions of people simply disappeared never to be heard from again. This is the background of Seng Ung's story. Somehow, Seng managed to survive and make it to America where he has become the quintessential American success story

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2011

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My God. I was born shortly before the author left Cambodia/Thailand, and I had heard of the Khmer Rouge, but I didn't really know anything about what happened to the Cambodian people during that time. What an absolutely horrific time, and how grateful am I for the life I'm so fortunate to live.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is a local restauranteur, these are the details of how he managed to escape Cambodia and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge and war torn times.

He managed to build a new life for his family in Seattle, becoming known for his culinary skills, working his way up through several positions in upscale places until he opened his own restaurant. Family meant everything to him and he was a force to be reckoned with in keeping his family together as best he could and helping to sponsor more family members once he established himself.

His three daughters run the current restaurant, which opened at a new site in the midst of the pandemic that caused them some delays.

Today, the restaurant suffers from the high crime in the area, and has been broken into several times, but the family has the support of the neighborhood and clientele.

[Laura Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Tee Ing’s uncle wrote this book and it’s the best book in the world

[Consuelo Sayago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars is generous but events of the author's life were interesting. The book is far from a literary masterpiece.