A fluent and affectionate portrait not only of the city of Bangkok, known to the Thais as 'the city of angels', but also of the dynasty and culture that created it. Cutting through confusion and veiled mystery, Waugh unravels the plots, coups, wars, assassinations, invasions and counter-coups of two hundred years of history as if they were this evening's gossip. This description of the genius, fascination and enduring vitality of Bangkok is told with Waugh's customary delight in life and sensual appreciation. The story is brought up-to-date with an afterword by Bruce Palling, formerly The Times correspondent in Thailand.