Matthew Campbell's *The Man Who Stole the Gods* recounts the shocking story of Douglas Latchford, an Englishman who exploited Cambodia's cultural heritage during its turbulent history.

Latchford, initially a successful import agent in Bangkok, became obsessed with traditional Khmer art, eventually looting sacred sculptures from temples destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.His actions were facilitated by Western institutions like New York’s Metropolitan Museum, which overlooked the illicit origins of these artifacts.

The book explores how Latchford's greed drove him to sell these culturally significant pieces to collectors, often misidentified or displayed out of context.

Campbell also delves into the legal battles in the 2000s as Cambodia sought to repatriate stolen art, highlighting figures like Toek Tik, a former Khmer Rouge soldier turned looter who later aided recovery efforts.

The narrative balances Latchford's criminal activities with his personal fascination for Southeast Asian art, while critiquing the complicity of museums and collectors in perpetuating cultural theft.

Ultimately, the story underscores the ethical dilemmas surrounding art ownership and the ongoing fight to restore cultural heritage to its rightful place.