Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos

Product Review

*** Fifth Edition, complete with New Introduction! ***

"No other personal account of contemporary Laos is as informative, under-the-surface and well written."
-- Joe Cummings, author of Lonely Planet Laos

"A must for anyone looking to understand Laos today."
-- Jeff Cranmer, author of Rough Guide Laos

Brett Dakin spent two years working in Vientiane, Laos and returned to the States a changed man. In Another Quiet American, he takes you through the corridors of power and into the living rooms of Laos.

You'll meet his boss, a wealthy general whose power and reputation scares his countrymen; a prince with connections to the French colonial past; an American pilot who left home for Indochina during the war and never returned; and rich Lao twenty-somethings who have all the money they could want, but have yet to find happiness.

Dakin provides a sympathetic yet irreverent glimpse into life in one of the world's few remaining communist nations, questioning the United States' influence on the country and embarking on the soul-searching journey of a young American abroad.

"A witty, personal account ... through the eyes of a young American among raucous expats in Vientiane."
-- Frommers Southeast Asia

"An excellent contribution to a better understanding of life in Asia."
-- Far Eastern Economic Review

"Honest, well written, entertaining and informative."
-- South China Morning Post

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(25 customer reviews)

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

A Wonderful Read!, January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful read. It takes you to a far away place in Southeast Asia. It gives an in-depth view of the people who have lived in Laos from the point of view of a young American who lived and worked there for two years. Here is a short review of the French colonization of Indochina, the American war in Vietnam, Communism in Asia, immigration to America, the importance of tourism, foreign aid programs, the drug trade. It's all here in the stories of real people: Laotians and foreigners who reside in Laos in the forests of the north, along the Mekong River and in the capital city of Vientiane. This is a must read for students of Southeast Asia, travellers who have been or plan to go to that part of the world and for just about anyone who wants a better understanding of the interaction of people from Europe and America with the people of Asia. Readers will learn a lot about Laos but they will also come away with a very thoughtful understanding of the people who have lived...Read more

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Excellent Work, January 27, 2004

Philip (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos (Paperback)

"Another Quiet American" is a wonderful book full of insights about a secluded country rapidly transforming as it attempts to open itself to foreign tourism and modernity. The author does a superb job painting a picture of the geography and culture of Laos as well as grappling with questions about its present and future economic state. There aren't many books like this one dealing with Laos in such an insightful and cosiderate manner. Great job!!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Great book!, January 19, 2004

Will Corbin (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos (Paperback)

Having travelled several times to Asia, but never to Laos, I was intrigued by the journalistic nature of the book. Not only did I learn a heck of a lot about Laos, but was entertained as Brett struggled through many hardships and ultimatedly survived and triumphed during his 2-year experience. His writing style is refreshingly open-minded and honest- The book is very easy to read. I feel like I shared a lot of his experience and would have made many of the same assumptions and mistakes that he did... But I didn't have to leave the comfort of my home! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.