Angkor: An Illustrated Guide to the Monuments [Paperback]

Jean Laur (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jean Laur studied architecture in France, specializing in the Far East. He was Director of Monuments at Angkor from 1954 to 1959, and speaks fluent Khmer. This guide is the culmination of almost fifty years' involvement with Angkor

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion (September 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080107232
• ISBN-13: 978-2080107237
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide!!, December 16, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: Angkor: An Illustrated Guide to the Monuments (Paperback)

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 !!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-researched guide to the ruins of Angkor, March 17, 2008

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Angkor: An Illustrated Guide to the Monuments (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wished I brought this with me, March 31, 2003

By 

Chanda S. Kunz (MAPLE VALLEY, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angkor: An Illustrated Guide to the Monuments (Paperback)

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.