RIVER OF TIME

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This unforgettable memoir captures the essence of a life lived amidst the turmoil of Indochina, as depicted in the Academy Award-winning film *The Killing Fields*. The narrative is described as a "splendid memoir" that intertwines themes of love, loss, and the end of an era in Southeast Asia. The author, Jon Swain, whose adventurous spirit is evident throughout, was raised in India and joined the French Foreign Legion at just 17. By his early twenties, he was a foreign correspondent for Agence France-Presse, with his first assignment taking him to Indochina in 1970. Over five years, he experienced a tumultuous love affair, faced gunfire, and witnessed the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge. His harrowing encounters included a near-death experience when he and fellow journalists were detained by guerrillas. The memoir is lauded for its vivid storytelling, capturing both the beauty and brutality of the time. Critics have praised its compelling and dramatic accounts, highlighting Swain's ability to convey the pulse of life and death in a beautifully written narrative. This accomplished memoir offers a thrilling and disturbing glimpse into a pivotal moment in history.