Another Quiet American - speaking in Vientiane

There are not a lot of books written about Laos.  One that was, and which we read in our first month here was "Another Quiet American", by Brett Dakin.  http://www.amazon.com/Another-Quiet-American-Stories-Life/dp/9748303683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290078301&sr=8-1

Brett was in Vientiane in 1998, straight out of university and working for the National Tourist Authority. It is a good read and places in context some recent history. It is quiet upfront, and he noted that the political people probably have not read it as it is published in English.

On Saturday evening Brett was speaking at the local bookshop, Monument books. 

He left Laos in 2000 became a lawyer and is now also the chair of a the Chair of Legacies of War, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the Vietnam War-era bombing of Laos. 

It was interesting hearing him talk about his impressions of the changes that have happened in the 10 years since the book was written and this visit. Since leaving this is only the 2nd time he has been back to Laos.

The book is only published/sold in Asia or available on Amazon