ROBERT CARMICHAEL worked for a decade as a foreign correspondent in Cambodia, leaving in 2017. His first stint was from 2001-3 when he was the managing editor of the Phnom Penh Post. He returned in early 2009 to cover Duch's trial, working for German wire service dpa, Radio Australia, Voice of America, the BBC, Deutsche Welle and others. Robert developed excellent relationships with some of the leading lights at the tribunal as well as experts in related fields including academics David Chandler, Stephen Heder and Craig Etcheson and Youk Chhang, who runs the genocide research organization DC-Cam. Robert travelled widely, interviewing people about the Khmer Rouge period, the impact of the tribunal and the thorny issue of reconciliation. Robert's website www.robertcarmichael.net contains many of his articles.
Crisply written, elegantly constructed and thoroughly researched . . . a perceptive, often heart-breaking book. A standout. Carmichael . . . both humanizes the story and brings new insights into the causes of the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror. - Christian Science Monitor Both the poignant story of a young woman seeking the truth about her father's disappearance . . . and an unflinching portrait of the executioner who oversaw the torture chamber where he was imprisoned. An unforgettable book. A beautifully written book that does a masterful job weaving the history of the Khmer Rouge tribunal with a more personal story of human tragedy and redemption. This extremely thoughtful work is the product of its author's deep understanding of Cambodia. Anyone trying to make sense of the Khmer Rouge war crimes court should read this timely book.