Stalking the Elephant Kings

My review title says it all. ... A Christmas present for a wonderful, wonderful person and I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!!

In December, 1975 the Communist Pathet Lao deposed the last king of Laos, the stoic, gentle Savang Vatthana. In March, 1977 the king, his wife,and sons were suddenly spirited away from their palace, never to be seen by the world again. For almost 25 years no one inside or outside Laos seemed to know what happened to them.Christopher Kremmer, an Australian journalist, was apparently one of the first Westerners admitted to certain parts of Laos since the Communist victory. In this book he describes his determined search to find out what happened to the country's last royal family. His ability --- and luck --- to discover what he did is amazing. Kremmer describes interviews and meetings with Laotians of all walks of life --- communists, royals, returned exiles, business people, peasants --- as he traverses the country. What is really surprising is that he actually gets answers --- and somewhere in those answers may be the truth. I'll say one thing for Kremmer: he is bold with his questions!In addition, this book is filled with fascinating descriptions of Laos. I'll probably never get to visit Laos, but after having read Kremmer's account of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of that country, I feel like I've already been there. I wish there were more pictures, but the ones included show a beautiful country.For those fortunate enough to travel to Laos, this would be essential reading before your trip.

Using the conceit of 'stalking the elephant kings'--searching for the last of Laos' royal family--Kremmer explores the tragic history and current tensions of Laos. He is an ideal guide, at once critical and comprehensive in his storytelling. I can think of no better host in a foreign land.

An eye-opening journey through Laos -- is probably the best way to describe this book. My boyfriend loves Laos and we had to buy the book when he saw the review in Asiaweek. I have never been to Laos, but my boyfriend's fascination and love have driven my curiority of this small land-locked country. Books on Laos are hard to come by, so I was thrilled finally to be able to read something other than war stories about Laos -- particularly about the people. Kremmer goes to Laos with a "semi" mission: to find out what happened to the royal family of Laos. It seems that nobody really seems to know or those that know aren't talking or are simply dead. Kremmer has done some preliminary research into the topic and the press, foreign as well as local (i.e. Vietnamese or Thai) carry conflicting stories, if any. The government officials are obviously tight-lipped, but why the folk? Are they still afraid of backlashes from the government? Or are the memories just too painful? The books gives a wonderful insight into Laos, the down to earth kind. Kremmer could have been a little more dilligent in explaining some of the Lao terms he inserts, but that is only a minor criticism. I may be more sensitive because of my interest in Laos. With and without official permission, Kremmer travels throughout Laos, taking in many sights and interviewing people. At times, I can imagine what the scene must be like and at times I can't - like when Kremmer goes to the plain of jars. It is a well written, pseudo travel log -- he does include quite a lot of historical background. Kremmer tries to answer questions, but leaves just as many unanswered. Most of these will have to be answered by time; like will the exiled royal family members ever return to Laos? Will the government ever come clean and explain to the folk what happened? Do people care? Kremmer doesn't paint a picture, he leaves the reader to make up their own mind and that makes this book very appealing. For anyone interested in Laos, this i! s a wonderful introduction to the land of the elephants and white parasol.

Since it has just been published, I have not yet read it. However, Asiaweek for April 17, 1998 has a review by Professor Grant Evans of the University of Hong Kong which concludes that "this easy-to-read volume is one of the best books on Laos in a long time."