The Lost Executioner
Bloomsbury Publishing
'An example of a rare genre: an outstanding photographer who is also a talented writer.'
Financial Times
Between 1975 and 1979 Cambodia succumbed to one of the most bloodthirsty revolutions in modern history. Nearly two million people were killed. As head of the Khmer Rouge's secret police, Comrade Duch was responsible for the murder of more than 20,000 of them. Twenty years later, not one member of the Khmer Rouge had been held accountable for what had happened, and Comrade Duch had disappeared. Photographer Nic Dunlop became obsessed with the idea of finding Duch, and shedding light on a secret and brutal world that had been sealed off to outsiders. Then, by chance, he came face to face with him. The Lost Executioner describes Dunlop's personal journey to the heart of the Khmer Rouge and his quest to find out what actually happened in Pol Pot's Cambodia and why.
'Compelling'
'A real page turner'
'A brilliant scoop'
'Compelling reading... a vivid, highly personalised account of Dunlop’s quest for comrade Duch, the Khmer Rouge's chief jailer.'
Sunday Telegraph
'Beautiful and harrowing… I can think of fewer people who work in South East Asia that I hold in higher regard.'
Fergal Keane
'A brilliant scoop... Nic’s tenacity is more than matched by his compassion. His work in South-East Asia deserves the recognition given to veterans who may be better known.'
John Pilger
'Dunlop’s writing is clear and often poetic, especially regarding pictures, violence and his own feelings… A brilliant and haunting tale.'
The Seattle Times
'Dunlop's book is empathic, intelligent and a real page-turner.'
The Guardian
'Compelling… The Lost Executioner illuminates the darkness of recent Cambodian history and examines not only the banality of evil but also its ambiguity.'
Prospect Magazine
Channel 4 news July, 2010
Courtesy Channel 4 News
'Astonishing… a remarkable contribution.'
Far Eastern Economic Review
'An important and, at times, intensely moving book.'
Metro
'Chilling… this is a brave book by a brave man.'
The Times
'A truly excellent and important book, by a writer who brings to the present an enviable command of Cambodia's past. It is apart from anything else a model history of the region from a historian who knows how to write.'
Nicholas Shakespeare
'A powerful account of Cambodia's history, both ancient and more recent.'
Christian Science Monitor
The Independent on Sunday magazine
'Harrowing yet engrossing.'
San Francisco Chronicle
'A tough and brilliant read.'
The Irish Times
'A heart-felt and harrowing book.'
The Daily Telegraph
South China Post magazine