Pira Canning Sudham is from the Esarn area of Thailand, the large northeast area of Thailand comprised of mostly infertile agricultural land. Over the years greedy politicians have 'stolen' this land from the Esarn people. Many live in extreme poverty. Pira Sudham is their voice to the world. He writes in English so most of the people he writes about cannot read his books.
It is a collection of sad, true stories of families struggling to get by each day. But in many of those shown to be suffering there is still a peace within them.
This book has been signed by the author and contains further hand written notes and newspaper clippings that discuss the last upheaval in Bangkok.
Though this is the only book I've read of Sudham's I'd probably recommend reading his book 'Shadowed Country'. I'll be getting that one soon. His voice is simple yet powerful. He has the ability to paint vivid and haunting scenes but still offer the reader a glimpse of hope not only for the people of Esarn, but for mankind.