Inside Democratic Kampuchea by Michael McColgan, offers a rare firsthand account of life in the liberated zones of Kampuchea in 1981, challenging mainstream narratives of total Vietnamese control. It details the resilience of 30,000 people in newly established villages, where agriculture, small industries, and trade flourished despite the proximity of the war front. The text highlights the adaptation of Democratic Kampuchea’s policies, including the allowance of private enterprise and a shift from collectivization, demonstrating the movement’s ability to learn from past experiences. As the Vietnamese occupation struggles to secure legitimacy, McColgan’s observations underscore the strength of the Kampuchean resistance and its unwavering commitment to national independence.