ABOUT
A SECRET WAR WITHIN US: The Lao'd One Speaks
By Niphaphone Laura Robertson
In this book, the author, a Lao refugee, shares the beauty of the Lao culture while exposing the mental health challenges and prolonged oppression caused by the brutality of war. It is a tribute to the strength and resilience of Lao refugees in pursuit of the American dream.
Between 1959 and 1975, the United States launched a secret bombing mission on Laos, making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in the history of the world. Shockingly, the American public was kept in the dark until the 1990s. In the aftermath of the Secret War on Laos, a ruthless and oppressive communist regime invaded and overturned the country. The people of Laos went from one nightmare to the next. Those who opposed the new government's authority faced brutal repercussions, tortured, and executed before the eyes of the public.
To this day, in Laos, farmers and children continue to lose their lives and limbs due to the unexploded remnants of the heavy bombing. Survivors who escaped were traumatized and silenced by their fear, inundated by the possibility of retaliation from the communist government if they were to speak up. In this book, the author breaks the silence and brings these stories to light. By amplifying the voices of the Laotian people, the author hopes to bring awareness to Lao history, celebrate resilience, and support the ongoing healing and restoration of the Lao community.
Get ready to get a glimpse into a world that has been hidden away for far too long!