My War With The CIA: The Memoirs Of Prince Norodom Sihanouk

by Norodom Sihanouk, Wilfred G. Burchett

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Genres: History, Politics

271 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Norodom Sihanouk was a member of the House of Norodom who led Cambodia as King (1941–1955; 1993–2004), Chief of State (1960–1970; 1993), and Prime Minister (1955–1960).

Reviews

[Hilmi Isa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a memoir book written by Norodom Sihanouk,a royal member of Cambodia. Initially,the original work is in French. Wilfred Burchett,an Australian journalist,translated the book in English. This book edition,by Pelican Books,is produced in the year of 1973. Therefore,this book is available to readers before the fall of South Vietnam and Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in 1975.

Overall,I can say this book is revealing to readers,especially on the role of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),under United States of America (USA),in Cambodia's politic,economy and military. The title of this book is quite misleading,though. Actually,Sihanouk is not only chronicled his struggle against political,economic and military threats and coercions by USA alone (which include assassination attempt on him). But,also facing oppositions from his own countrymen,like Lon Nol,Sirik Matak and Son Ngoc Thanh,who wanted to depose Sihanouk as Head of State of Cambodia. By doing so,enable them to receive dollars aid from USA for their own gains,as alleged by Sihanouk himself.

I'm not an expert of Cambodia's politic and history. But,I'm wondering what he felt when Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975? What is Sihanouk's feeling when Pol Pot slaughtered millions of Cambodians (the man who Sihanouk considered as an ally against Lon Nol's regime). Sometimes,Sihanouk's accounts on Communists show his immaturity and naivety on international politic,especially when dealing with Communist powers. He considered People's Republic of China (PRC) and North Vietnam as trusted allies. But,why PRC didn't install his position as Head of State of Cambodia when Lon Nol's regime is expelled? And,ironically,the united Vietnam invaded Cambodia in late 1970's. This happens because traditional rivalry between Cambodia and Vietnam still exist,even though,USA is no longer in the Indo-China. When the common enemy is finally gone,thus,the struggle for power vacuumed is begun.

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

نوردوم سیهانوک پادشاه پیشین کامبوج بود. سیهانوک در سال ۱۹۲۲ متولد شد و بزرگترین پسر پادشاه نورودوم سوراماریت و ملکه کوساماک بود. او در مدارس فرانسوی زبان در سایگون و پاریس درس خواند. سیهانوک که در سال ۱۹۴۱ توسط دولت تحت کنترل نازی‌ها در فرانسه به مقام سلطنت کامبوج دست یافت، در سال ۱۹۵۳ جنبش استقلال کامبوج از فرانسه را رهبری کرد. او در سال ۱۹۵۵ به نفع پدرش از قدرت کناره‌گیری کرد و به عنوان نخست‌وزیر و وزیر خارجه به کشورش خدمت کرد. پس از کودتای ۱۹۷۰ و نیز در دوران حکومت خمرهای سرخ از کامبوج تبعید شد، اما در سال ۱۹۹۳ با احیای نظام سلطنتی به کامبوج بازگشت. سیهانوک در روز دوشنبه ۱۵ اکتبر ۲۰۱۲ در بیمارستانی در پکن درگذشت.

[Emily Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this book up in a charity shop, I expected it to be a tale of a once powerful leader taking back his country. For me, this book dragged on and could of been a lot shorter. I enjoyed the attempted assignations, the chapter about his family and how he was tricked by members of his own government into leaving so the power could be snatched. Many chapter felt as if they were saying the same thing from different angles. The book did interest me though just dragged at the middle. His journey was definetly interesting and how he was treated shines a light into how the West hide behind “helping” countries when in fact they are finding another way to rule.

[Dung Dao · Rating 4 out of 5]

He gave the audience a perspective explaining his seemingly contradictory actions during the Khmer Rouge period. Through this book, he showed us his struggles to find a way to Cambodia's independence and political neutrality.