The year that Milton Osborne judges to have been a turning point in Cambodia’s modern history was 1966, a year he spent working in Phnom Penh and traveling widely in the countryside. He recounts many telling—and moving—personal experiences during this time; the corruption and political manoeuvring within the capital, visits to the provinces, and above all friendships with Cambodians who were to make their own direct contributions to the years ahead.
Before Kampuchea provides both a knowledgeable, personal record of people and places in a rapidly changing society, and a penetrating analysis of the factors that were soon to plunge a country into chaos and disaster.
Chapter 1 Cambodia
Chapter 2 The Curious Case of the Kep Casino
Chapter 3 A Border Incident
Chapter 4 Le Far Ouest
Chapter 5 The Passions of a Prince
Chapter 6 Portraits 1. The Soldier
Chapter 7 Portraits 2. The Priest
Chapter 8 Portraits 3. The Revolutionary
Chapter 9 Portraits 4. An Older Prince
Chapter 10 Academic Questions
Etc.