Angkor: An Illustrated Guide to the Monuments

By Jean Laur

Book Overview

Angkor is a fascinating, mysterious site, twice the size of Paris. Protected by UNESCO as part of humanity's common heritage, it is truly unique. This new guide by Jean Laur, former Director of Monuments at the site, explores the history and significance of Angkor in great depth. It is the first scholarly work to review the site of Angkor since the 1940s. The author's great familiarity with the people and culture of Cambodia and his grasp of the Khmer language means he is perfectly situated to place the monuments in their historical, cultural, and artistic context, providing a fascinating, thoroughly documented, yet accessible guide to the individual ruins. He covers over one hundred temples in great depth, giving details of the construction methods and materials used and describing their elaborate ornamentation. The work also includes numerous maps, plans, and details of the bas reliefs and sculptures, drawn by the author himself. The guide also contains more general information on visiting Cambodia, and the history of the Khmer people and their art. As Southeast Asia in general, and Cambodia in particular, open up to visitors after decades of unrest, this guide is perfectly timed to introduce a greater understanding of the significance of this fascinating site.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 2080107232
• ISBN13: 9782080107237
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Flammarion
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 1.0" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A well-researched guide to the ruins of Angkor

I bought this years ago at an airport bookstore in Singapore and still read it now and again as it is such a lovely book that truly captures the ancient city of Angkor. The book contains meticulous descriptions of the ancient city [temples, palaces, monuments], with maps and even line drawings of bas-reliefs. The book also provides historical background on how the city came into being, with a focus on the Khmer civilisation. Khmer architecture is also dealt with in great detail. And of course, there are beautiful full color photographs that depict the ruins in all their ancient glory. A highly recommended book to those planning a trip to Angkor and for those who simply wish to 'escape' into the world of the ancient city.

Wished I brought this with me

I just recently returned from a visit to this amazing city. It's huge and so utterly incredible. I sure could have used this book to help understand what I was looking at. This book has great photos, history and temple layouts. I bought a guide book at one of the temples (one needs it because a local guide isn't always understandable) and it is not even half as good as this book is. If you're planning a visit, this book is essential.

Excellent guide!!

First of all, you got to know the author Jean Laur was the Director of Angkor monuments from 1954 to 1959. He's very knowledgible about Khmer Angkor and the architects. Now, if you want to know about Angkors (all of the monunents in Cambodia) you got to read it from the source--the director of Angkors himself!! You can't never go wrong with this book. Every Angkor monument in this guide has some illustrated picture. Surprisingly the monument names are both in English and Khmer. I got 4 copies and gave them to my Khmer friends. They love it, especially the Khmer character names of the monument !!