Gecko Tails: A Journey Through Cambodia

by Carol Livingston

Carol Livingstone tells, with keen political insight and a novelist's instict for storytelling, the tale of the Cambodian elctions and the following party, with it's unexpected end. She has written a fascinating account, both tragic andfunny, of a beautiful country.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Asia

Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly insightful and compelling tale of one foreign correspondent's sojourn in Cambodia during the mid 1990's. Although the information is almost 20 years out of date, it's still a great read because the author was stationed there during a critical point during the country's history -- during the UN's occupation of the country when they were preparing this post-Pol Pot society for democratic elections while attempting to stabilize the security situation. As I'm currently traveling in Cambodia, this book answered a lot of questions for me such as why the Khmer Rouge were allowed to continue to exist and even participate in government into the 90's, even after their brutal and bloody reign from 1975-79. It also helps me appreciate how far Cambodia has come in less than 20 years. Today, tourists and locals can traverse the country without fear of checkpoints, (as many) landmines, bombings, random guerilla attacks etc. (though things are still far from perfect). That Cambodia has managed to stabilize itself, rebuild its tourism industry and (finally) bring to justice key members of the Khmer Rouge is truly extraordinary given Livington's portrait of a country desperately destabilized by extreme poverty, famine, political mismanagement and other factors post-Pol Pot. Not to mention the west's decision to side with the Khmer Rouge for so long due to their skepticism of the Vietnamese, who had the audacity to liberate the country from these bloody dictators!! I should also mention that the book is funny and a perfect read for aspiring journalists and foreign correspondents who are dreaming of their own big scoop and that elusive contribution to social justice. All in all, this is a must-read for anyone traveling to Cambodia, interested in Southeast Asia politics, the effects of genocide or who are journalism die-hards. Or who just want a great read.

[Kim Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! When I first started reading this, I wasn't sure what to make of the author's detached attitude and style. When I reached the end, it was that very same attitude toward her writing that made her closing commentary on being a journalist so powerful. Livingston came to Cambodia in the early 1990s in search of something to write about it. But what she discovered was that writing coherently about that time period---of UN involvement, the end of a civil war, the legacy of the Khmer Rouge, and her fellow journalists---was nearly impossible ... and yet somehow she managed it (almost). While this book is touted as a rollicking adventure travelogue, it's not as easy as all that ... the politics are complicated, and Livingston doesn't try to dumb them down for the backpack set. As for the personal stories, they will break your heart---those of the Cambodians who survived the era of the Killing Fields, those of the foreigners abducted and murdered during that time, and those of the foreigners who sold their souls trying to write about what was going on. Everyone who travels to Cambodia MUST read this book.

[pdxmaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not always the best results when a journalist tries to write a travel book. She clearly couldn’t decide whether to focus on bringing in all the political aspects (including the historical ones) as well as the little travel anecdotes. Which ended up with a book that was tedious going. And I really couldn’t keep track of any of the parties, warring forces, or any of it. I did get a sense, tho, of Cambodia as an interesting place than I had thought of it before, with a history more complex than I had known about.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not great book about Cambodia in the early 90's at the time of the UN supervised first election. Give good background of the politics and parties at the time. Also details the activities of the Khmer Rouge. First person report. Worth reading if you are interested in Cambodia

[Tobey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this on the return flight from Cambodia. It is interesting and specifically about the UNTAC government in 93 but it kind of wanders without a point.

[Jasmina]

good insight into Cambodian history and PP expat life..