Descriptions of Old Siam (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Various (Author), Michael Smithies (Compiler, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1995 | Series: Oxford in Asia Paperbacks

This collection of the written impressions of Siam (now Thailand) by overseas residents and visitors to the country focusses on the relationships between the Siamese Kings and the various Westerners who came to trade, not only in goods, but also in souls. Spanning four centuries, the writings reflect both the continuities and the changes that took place in this vanished culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1st edition (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9676530832
• ISBN-13: 978-9676530837
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,669,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Siam's travelers from centuries past recount their adventure, May 24, 2000

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This review is from: Descriptions of Old Siam (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book is both a scholar's and an arm-chair traveller's delight as you travel through Thailand (and Burma) through the eyes of travellers from different times and places. I found the differing views of daily life very interesting. There is also much to read about in the areas of wats/bots (temples) and asian art. It's not an easy read, though, and I found the print too small for prolonged sampling.