Cambodia Recommended Reading List

Many years ago, when I began working in Southeast Asia, I quickly realized that, despite a rigorous interest in academics and parents who encouraged reading and research, I still knew only a tiny, biased version of history and life in the region. I was leading a gap year program, teaching mostly American pre-college students across our travels in five countries, so I quickly needed to dive in and get a feel for the myriad places we would be living and working over the year.

Like many people, I learn best with a mixed media approach — podcasts, books, articles, music, television. This resource is my personal recommendations on what to start with if you want to dive in to Cambodia, her history, and her culture. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I hope to continue updating it as I learn and read more! But I hope this resource helps you in approaching this marvelous region, whether you’re coming for a visit or considering living here.

Reading List:

“When the Clouds Fell From the Sky” by Robert Carmichael

“The Elimination” by Rithy Phan

“When The War Was Over” by Elizabeth Becker

“The Playground” by Terrence M McCoy

To Watch:

“A Cook’s Tour” Season 1 Episode 5 by Anthony Bourdain

“Travels with My Father” Season 1 Episodes 3,4,5 by Jack Whitehall

“Wonders of the Monsoon: Deluge” by the BBC

“Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll” a documentary by Virgil Studios, dir. John Pirozzi

LIstening Pleasure:

The Cambodian Space Project

Sinn Sisamouth

Ros Sereysothea

Pan Ron

And don’t forget to check out our Podcast, “Insight Cambodia”

Got a resource to add? Comment below or send us a message!