Whatever became of Bert's Books?
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- Expatriate
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Whatever became of Bert's Books?
Where was the place? On the riverside in Phnom Penh, yes?
It closed because Bert was enraged about something the government said or did, right?
What became of Bert?
It closed because Bert was enraged about something the government said or did, right?
What became of Bert?
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Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
Nearly 2 decades now:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/d ... ts-retreat
One understands the fury BUT the standard of living of well over 95% of the Cambodian people
is far higher now than it was then ...
Anyway, does anyone here remember Bert?
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/d ... ts-retreat
One understands the fury BUT the standard of living of well over 95% of the Cambodian people
is far higher now than it was then ...
Anyway, does anyone here remember Bert?
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Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
[b] This is the salient part of the PPP report:
Passionate as he is about the shortcomings of Cambodia's elite, Bert is also highly
critical of the so-called "humanitarians" who, he says, have pursued their
own interests to the detriment of effective change.
"The reality is donors have given Cambodia more than $5 billion in the past
five years, and every dollar we've put in has freed up money for Cambodia's elite
to buy more cognac or another Mercedes. We build roads so people can get to market
and...those roads are destroyed by log trucks...
"Is Cambodia now a better place? No it is not - human rights, pluralism, personal
freedoms, that's all just gone down the drain.
"But you know what? Optimism is commensurate with salaries and the sort of colonial
lifestyle Westerners can enjoy here which they could never enjoy at home.
"After the Easter Sunday grenade attack we circulated a petition condemning
the violence. Out of 6,000 foreign workers we got just 700 signatures and 200 of
them were collected here at Bert's Books. I wonder how much of that pathetic protest
was due to fear of losing salaries, fear of losing a lavish lifestyle and fear of
losing careers."[/b]
Passionate as he is about the shortcomings of Cambodia's elite, Bert is also highly
critical of the so-called "humanitarians" who, he says, have pursued their
own interests to the detriment of effective change.
"The reality is donors have given Cambodia more than $5 billion in the past
five years, and every dollar we've put in has freed up money for Cambodia's elite
to buy more cognac or another Mercedes. We build roads so people can get to market
and...those roads are destroyed by log trucks...
"Is Cambodia now a better place? No it is not - human rights, pluralism, personal
freedoms, that's all just gone down the drain.
"But you know what? Optimism is commensurate with salaries and the sort of colonial
lifestyle Westerners can enjoy here which they could never enjoy at home.
"After the Easter Sunday grenade attack we circulated a petition condemning
the violence. Out of 6,000 foreign workers we got just 700 signatures and 200 of
them were collected here at Bert's Books. I wonder how much of that pathetic protest
was due to fear of losing salaries, fear of losing a lavish lifestyle and fear of
losing careers."[/b]
- General Mackevili
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Re: RE: Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
I never knew him, nor his books. Bor's books I remember and miss.mammothboy2 wrote:
Anyway, does anyone here remember Bert?
"Life is too important to take seriously."
"Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh."
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Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
Yes, I knew Bert, even before the bookstore. Bert's was where the riverfront Sundance is now. Bert, who always had rather strong political opinions, became particularly disenchanted after the Bloody Sunday grenade attack, and closed Bert's in mid/late 1997 IIRC and moved back to Alaska with his family. (He took some pretty impressive photos of the aftermath of the attack.) I ran across him once here back in Cambodia 3 or 4 years ago at Hurley's. But I don't think he stayed long. I understand he's had a rough go of it in recent years.
"Always carry a book. You won't look so damn stupid" was the slogan.
"Always carry a book. You won't look so damn stupid" was the slogan.
LTO Cambodia Blog
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
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Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
I thought it was on the corner of 102, the little shop that the Thai lady ran. I know I bought a few books from Bohs that had a stamp inside the cover from Bert's Books. What about that Ray Zepp LTO? I had a couple of his books and I think they had the Bert's stamp inside.
You must of known him and why was he controversial?
You must of known him and why was he controversial?
Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
Bert's had the tree in front. That's how I used to idenify where to stop. Later it became Tico Guesthouse, later still, Cali 2.
I haven't seen Ray in a couple few years. Last time I saw him was at the Riverside Balcony in Battambang. He was living up Pailin way I think. I don't know if he is still here. Was Ray controversial? Like Bert he wrote at couple papers on the NGO situation, as well as several travelogues/guides, as you mention. He too had some strong opinions about how to help Cambodia, but I don't know about controversy.
I haven't seen Ray in a couple few years. Last time I saw him was at the Riverside Balcony in Battambang. He was living up Pailin way I think. I don't know if he is still here. Was Ray controversial? Like Bert he wrote at couple papers on the NGO situation, as well as several travelogues/guides, as you mention. He too had some strong opinions about how to help Cambodia, but I don't know about controversy.
LTO Cambodia Blog
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
79 Sisowath Quay. Same address as Cali 2.
LTO Cambodia Blog
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
'Thoughts on Foreign Aid' by Bert Hoak and Ray Zepp
http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/aid_ess.htm
http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/aid_ess.htm
LTO Cambodia Blog
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
"Kafka is 'outdone' in our country, the new fatherland of Angkor" - Norodom Sihanouk
- Duncan
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Re: Whatever became of Bert's Books?
LTO wrote:
79 Sisowath Quay. Same address as Cali 2.
Quick,, someone get some tee shirts printed with CEO Forum on.. In 20 years time, someone might be asking about CEO Forum.
Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
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