Books
on Laos
Reviews on Books about Laos
A
Short History of Laos: The Land in Between
by Grant Evans
Silkworm Books, 2002
An ideal introduction to Laos for travelers, businesspeople,
diplomats and students. For those familiar with Lao history,
Evans investigates key events in new ways and presents serious
challenges to conventional views about Laos' intriguing history.
Ant
Egg Soup by Natacha du Pont de Bie
Hodder Headlin, 2004
Natacha Du Pont De Bie is no ordinary tourist. She is a food
tourist. Ant Egg Soup chronicles Natacha's adventures in Laos.
It is a portrayal of the people she meets, the places
she visits and, of course, the food she tastes. Funny and refreshing,
with delicious recipes and line drawings, Ant Egg Soup will
give you an understanding and appreciation for Lao food like
no other book can. You'll even read a bit more about the Boat
Landing's family.
Another
Quiet American by Brett Dakin
Asia Books, 2003
This a first-hand account of a poor struggling country. Above
all it is a story of a young American coming to terms with
his country's role in the world at the beginning of a new century.
This book has a good, if reckless, description of Vientiane
expatriates, their lives and the Lao people they meet and socialize
with.
One
Foot in Laos by Dervla Murphy
A wonderful story about Dervla's truly unique journey off the
beaten track. Her observations are poignant, even if some of
her trivial facts are a bit wrong (e.g.; The tails of Lao cats
are genetically malformed and not amputated as she would have
you believe). Definitely the most current travel book available
about Laos. A good book to read when you are on the road.
The
Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
by Anne Fadiman
The Noonday Press, 1997
Anne Fadiman lovingly portrays a struggle between a Hmong refugee
family and their American doctors over the care of their epileptic
daughter, Lia. Both sides are trying to give the best care
they know how but an immense gulf of culture and misunderstanding
leads them to tragedy. Ms. Fadiman tells their story with grace
comprehending those who do not comprehend each other. She will
also help you to comprehend the world view of the Hmong in
light of your own. This book was the winner of the National
Book Critics Circle Award.
Further
Travels in Laos and in Yunnan: the Mekong
Exploration Commission Report - Volume 2
(1866-1868) by Francis Garnier,
Reprinted by White Lotus Co. Ltd, 1996
This is second part of the Mekong Exploration Commission Report
(1866-1868), whose purpose was to explore trade routes in Indochina.
Volume 2 contains the report of the Commission's travels in
Upper Laos and Yunnan. The book has many illustrations of ethnic
groups and daily life of the time.
Travels
in Laos: The fate of the Sip Song Pana and
Muong Sing (1894-1896) by E. Lef?vre,
Reprinted by White Lotus Co. Ltd, 1995
Written by a member of the famous Mission Pavie, describes
the dramatic final episode in the tale of French conquests
in Indochina. The rivalry of the British and the French in
Asia reached its culmination when the superpowers met in Upper
Laos.
Surveying
and Exploring in Siam by James McCarthy
Reprinted by White Lotus Co. Ltd, 1995
This is a captivating record of one man's mammoth effort to
survey all of Siam and his personal observations. From 1881
to 1893, James McCarthy struggled in the jungles of Northern Siam
and present-day Laos against fever and the lack of food. Here
is a rich world of information about the small states and peoples
in Siam's Lao Dependencies, and on the early movements and
trading of the hill tribes. This narrative culminates with
the French annexation of the Lao territories. This book has
a large collection of drawings and early photographs from Laos.
The
Edge of Tomorrow by Tom Dooley
The Night they Burned the Mountain by Tom Dooley
Promises to Keep: the life of Dr. Thomas A. Dooley by
Agnes W. Dooley
Before I Sleep: the last days of Dr. Tom Dooley edited by James
Monahan
Published by Signet Books
Dr. Tom Dooley worked in Laos from 1957-1961. He established
hospitals in Vang Vieng, Luang Namtha and Muang Sing. He describes
with love and devotion his life of among the peoples of that
day. Among his many adventures was a trip down the Namtha River
to bring medicine to people along the river. One is struck
by how little life in Luang Namtha has changed. The Edge of
Tomorrow describes the establishment of the hospitals in Vang
Vieng and Luang Namtha. The Night they Burned the Mountain
tells of the founding of the hospital in Muang Sing, the trip
down the Namtha River, and Dr. Dooley's discovery that he has
cancer. Dr. Dooley died of that cancer in 1961. Read a excerpt
from his Great Float down the Namtha River.
The other two books, Promises to Keep and Before I Sleep are biographies
of Tom Dooley's life. Dr. Dooley is well remembered by the people of Luang Namtha
and Muang Sing as well as by the generation of Americans growing up in the 1950's.
Voices from the Plain of Jars: Life under an Air War complied,
with an introduction and preface, by Fred Branfman,
Harper Colophon Books, 1972
This little known book is the work of one American Volunteer
outraged by the secret bombing of Laos by his own country.
The book is composed of the translated essays of the people
who lived under the bombing from 1964-1969. This is the story
of the first society to be totally destroyed by aircraft. The
effects of this automated war has until now has remained unknown
to the rest of the world.
The
Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia by Alfred
W. McCoy,
Harper and Row, 1972
By far the most definitive book ever written about the history
and organization of the opium trade in S.E. Asia. An excellent
documentation that 30 years later is still pertinent. This
is the book that the CIA tried to suppress. It tells you who
really benefits from the opium trade.
Poppies, Pipes and People: Opium and Its Use in Laos by Joseph
Westermeyer,
University of California Press, 1982
For three years between 1965 and 1975, Joseph Westermeyer practiced
medicine and studied the function of opium in Laos, and spent
an additional six months studying opium addiction in other
parts of Asia. His work gives a clear picture of the very different
ways opium and its use are regarded in a developing agricultural
society.
Lao-English
Phrase books
Lao - English/English - Lao
Dictionary and Phrase book
James Higbie,
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
This romanized dictionary and phrase book is designed for travelers
and people living in Laos. It features the essential phrases
and vocabulary of modern spoken Lao.
Travel
Guides
Lonely Planet Guide to Laos
Rough Guide to Laos
Footprint Laos Handbook
A
personal note about travel guides They are
precisely what they claim they are "guides".
They cannot possibly tell you everything
about a particular area. Here are some tips
about how guides may make your trip more
pleasant: 1. Keep in mind that travel guides
quickly become out of date, especially in
regards to prices.
2.
If you are wanting to connect with locals
and eat local food you might not want to
go the restaurants mentioned in the guide
books as you are sure to meet all the other
people reading the same book.
3.
The same goes for finding directions. How
often I have seen tourists with their noses
in their guides books trying to figure out
where to go when their are people around
who would gladly direct them! What a missed
opportunity to connect with the locals!
4.
Don't suspect the locals of cheating or lying
when their information is different than
the guide! The book can be out of date or
just wrong.
5.
Keep your nose out of the book! Simple observation
will tell you more than the book ever will.
They are great when used in combination.
Don't let your guide book be a barrier between
you and the local people. Don't use it as
a crutch. Be adventurous and strike out on
your own. And remember that travel guides
cannot possibly tell you all there is to
know, do and see in any particular area.
