Mr. Ung, an accomplished storyteller and author, turns an unbelievably negative experience into a positive by portraying to readers his survival against modern-day genocide. The courage he displays to confront his past and share the story is both provocative and penetrating. — Al Jubitz, President, Jubitz Family Foundation

Kilong’s courageous story reveals the power of the human spirit to survive one of the worst tragedies in recent world history. He gives us hope that goodness will always prevail. — Bhavia Wagner, Author of Soul Survivors: Stories of Women and Children in Cambodia and Executive Director of Friendship With Cambodia

From the jungles, through the landmines and starvation, through the hopelessness and the tragic loss of his parents, to a golden leaf that brings light to the world’s ugliness. His story, his suffering: His journey is one that makes every one of us wonder why and how. And yet through the horrors, he was able to use these experiences as a strength to build himself, to provide for and protect his family, and to better this crazy and beautiful world. This is the Kilong Ung that I know. This is the golden leaf who made me a better person. I am grateful for his gift to me and to this world. — Chanly Bob, Chairman, Cambodian-American Community of Oregon

Kilong’s story proves the height to which the human spirit can reach and the depth of horrors humanity can instill upon itself. Kilong’s passion for life is an inspiration for us to remember that most of those in our world are much less fortunate and persevere through difficult circumstances we can barely imagine. ‘Golden Leaf’ gives us visions of desperation and hope. Hopefully, we can use those visions to guide ourselves. — Darin D. Honn, Past President of the Rotary Club of Portland, 2003-2004

‘Golden Leaf’ is a memoir that must be read. Kilong Ung takes us deep into Cambodia’s recent history and his memories of childhood under the Khmer Rouge. In this compelling and powerful narrative, he seeks to understand the reasons behind the genocide and his own survival. Ung writes with honesty, courage, and passion, detailing both the horrors of genocide and his coming of age in Cambodia and the U.S. Ultimately, this is a story of resilience and hope. — Patti Duncan, Author of Tell This Silence: Asian American Women Writers and the Politics of Speech