Cambodian History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire (Asian History)

Good

This is an insightful and very well-written book. There aren't a ton of books about Cambodia ( I collect them), and this is certainly one of the better ones. The cover is glossy high- quality and the binding/spine is very durable. Arrived quickly.

This publication is a bundle of two previous releases. In his History of Cambodia, Matt Clayton notes that most of the olden days in Cambodia has been all but forgotten due to a failure of the people to record their own history. Instead, we are dependent on second hand from traveling traders. The impression that Matt has documented is that they were victims of other leaders and neighboring countries with their own hidden agenda.Matt asks whether Cambodia was a country bent on power and privilege or a suicidal civilization that failed to attain a utopia of its own making. That is a monumental question, and the publication makes a hard effort to present the history.There is a generous attempt to present cultural details through the years and show the nation's weakness as a pawn between Vietnam and Thailand. Cambodia sought assistance from France but was betrayed by that nation. The nation has continued as a failed society and Matt Clayton ends with their own civil war and the evolution of the Khmer Rouge, one of the most brutal regimes in recorded history.Matt ends the History of Cambodia with an exposition on an international humanitarian response which attempted to stabilize the nation. This result is still in the balance.Then we move to the Khmer Empire where Matt Clayton expands the general history of Cambodia to focus on the period between the 10th and 15th centuries which were dominated by the Khmer Empire.This is a kingdom that once dominated the political, culture and, economic world of Southeast Asia. Its capital, at its economic and social peak, housed over a million people and was one of the most densely populated cities in the world.The Khmer Empire was not an empire in the modern sense of the world but are given that status because of its longevity. Human habitats of all social ranks were built out of perishable materials and only the gods and their houses were worthy enough to be built out of stone. The water systems, reservoirs, and streets had religious meaning; they therefore were given strong and sturdy materials that survived the relentless growth of the Southeast Asian jungle.Over the years, people continued to find shelter among the walls and ruins which were enveloped by the growth, yet its beauty was revealed whenever the jungle was cut down. Matt concludes his history of this empire by observing that the area of the is a mysterious and magical place and its popularity as a spiritual place continues to grow.A brief list of references is provided at the end.

I was really excited to read this book when I saw it because I knew next to nothing about Cambodia previously. I was not taught about it in school.Captivating History never disappoints and every book is like a mini history class, which the world really needs.Captivating History starts off this bundle with Cambodias ancient history and I really enjoyed reading about the mythological foundations of the Funan people on page 11.There are photos included in this book and I would love to visit the Funan temple, Ankor Wat, Ankor Thom and The National history museum and Shiva and Buddha statues that are pictured in the book.Page 36 tells of traditional medicine used in Cambodia and an ancient hospital that I found very interesting and I would like to know more about.The book tells all about Cambodias rulers and gives all the facts and information about how Cambodia has been tragically marred by war, betrayal, genocide and civil war. These beautiful people have been through so much and the country is such a treasure. Cambodia is listed as a poorly developed country.It's really a shame.I've enjoyed learning about Cambodia and I recommend that people read about it with Captivating Historys two book bundle.

If you are looking for a comprehensive, readable, and enjoyable history of Cambodia, it is here. This book set covers everything you could want and more — which is exactly as expected from a Captivating History release.This bundle includes two previously released works: "History of Cambodia" and "The Khmer Empire." Both of these standalone releases are amazing, so having them together in one file is a true gift. Within these pages, you will find content ranging from early history to the present, all of which is exciting.There is plenty of historiography, references, and other signs of dedicated historical research found here. As if that was not enough of an indication of such, a complete bibliography is included at the end of this collection.Here it is: Read this book set if you enjoy history. You will like what you read because this author has a way of weaving intricate tales out of what others may consider insipid lists of facts and dates. This experience is simply wonderful.

Save your money there’s very little in this book that you can’t find on Wikipedia

If you are interested in Cambodian history here you can learn about prehistory, the early kings religious and regional influences, the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire, the Cambodian Civil War, and the Cambodian genocide,who were the Khmer people, who were the Devaraj that founded the Empire of Angkor, who built Angkor Wat, and with what purpose, how did such a great empire fall into oblivion. All you can find here.

I grew up in the States and didn't learn a whole lot about southeast Asia and I thought this book was fantastic as a crash course in Cambodian history. Well written and thought out.