Description
Book SynopsisThe name Hmong means 'free people' or 'those who must have their freedom and independence'. History records ancient Hmong homelands in China, a fiercely independent culture dating back to 2000 BC, and centuries of oppression. This title tells the story of the Lao Hmong Struggle for freedom and survival since 1940.
Trade Review. . . absolutely gripping, haunting, compelling . . .
* Journal of American History *
. . . a terrible, heartrending story of the savage and relentless Communist retributions against the Hmong for siding with the United States . . . compassionate, richly detailed . . .
* San Francisco Chronicle *
. . . compelling . . . an absorbing book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the 'secret' war in Laos and in the Hmong.
-- C. Dennison Lane * The Wall Street Journal *
In this bitter, tragic and disturbing saga, Asian scholar/journalist/photographer Hamilton-Merritt documents the horrible suffering endured by the Hmong since they were abandoned by the U.S. in 1975. . . . Hamilton-Merritt's impressive study, one hopes, will lead to the belated U.S. recognition of responsibility for the plight of the Hmong.
* Publishers Weekly *
Table of ContentsPreface
Preface to the Third Printing
Chronology
Part One: The Fight for the Control of Indochina
1. Massacre on the Mekong
2. The time of the Fackee
3. The Rise of the Viet Minh
4. The Time of the Viet Minh
Part Two: Laos: The First Domino
5. The Time of the Americans
6. Camelot and the Land of Oz
7. The Charade of Neutralization
Part Three: Secret War in Laos: The Johnson Years
8. CIA Operations at Long Chieng
9. Widening of the "Secret War"
10. Phou Pha Thi Falls, "the Alamo" Holds
11. Hmong in the Skies
12. Vang Pao Goes to Washington
Part Four: The Nixon-Kissinger Years
13. Men of Courage
14. The U.S. Betrays the Hmong
15. Lima Lima
16. Kissinger and Guerilla Diplomacy
17. Bouam Loung, SKY Border Base
18. War Bloodies the Land of Oz
19. The Siege of Long Chieng
Part Five: "Peace" in Laos: The Communist Takeover
20. The Last Americans
21. Am Ominous Lull
22. "Wipe Them Out!"
Part Six: The Lao Gulag
23. Exodus
24. Chao Fa: Mystical Warriors
25. Holocaust in the Hills
26. The Giant Slays Sin Sai's Soldiers
Part Seven: A New Military Age
27. "A Conspiracy of Silence"
28. "Yellow Rain" and World Councils
29. Wronged by the Media
Part Eight: Wronged in War; Wronged in Peace
30. Burial in Montana
31. Abused and Abandoned
32. Requiem
Appendix
Notes
Glossary
Interviews and Sources
Index
Illustrations
