The Lost Temple of Java (Timewatch) [Paperback]

Phil Grabsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000 | Series: Timewatch

Uncover the many mysteries of the long-missing "eighth wonder of the world." Built by a now-forgotten civilization that flourished even as Europe languished in the Dark Ages, Borobudur in Central Java is the world's largest Buddhist temple, erected out of 1.6 million blocks of worked volcanic stone and containing three miles of relief carvings and 504 statues of Buddha. Yet, for 1,000 years it lay deserted, until Java's Lieutenant-Governor Sir Thomas Raffles decided to investigate rumors of a huge structure located deep in the jungle--and found this awe-inspiring edifice. Who built it? How was it constructed? And, why was it abandoned so soon after completion? A fascinating tale of what is now one of Asia's biggest tourist attractions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Phil Grabsky is one of our leading documentary filmmakers. His previous series include the award winning The Great Commanders and I, Caesar for which he wrote the accompanying bestselling books. Laurence Rees is one of the BBC's most experienced documentary producers. In 1997 he won the International Documentary Association Award for Best Documentary Strand.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Illustrated (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841880582
• ISBN-13: 978-1841880587
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,401,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lost Temple of Java, January 19, 2011

By 

Young K. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lost Temple of Java (Timewatch) (Paperback)

This book is an excellent example that shows how the good nature of the human

spirit can travel through time and space to touch our hearts and minds.

The ultimate enlightenment achieved by a young Indian prince of 2500 years ago,

named 'Siddhartha Gautama', who had left his palace and luxurious life behind

setting off on his arduous journey in the search for an answer to relieve all

human sufferings, the mysteries and puzzles surrounding the world's largest

Buddhist temple - the 'Borobudur' the eighth wonder of the world - seated in

the central Java, 2000 miles away from India, built by a lost civilization for

the purpose of helping other human beings to trace the foot steps leading to

the enlightenment of Siddhartha, the story of an extraordinary young Englishman,

Thomas Stamford Raffles, who had a great and extremely enlightened heart surpassed

by no one in his times, whose open mind led to the awestruck discovery of the

'Borobudur', who later became Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles knighted for his

achievement and great work 'the History of Java' which in my opinion resulted

from his great and caring personality as evidenced by the fact that his farewell

was 'accompanied by all the respectable inhabitants,natives, friends, other

associates with tears in their eyes as he set sail on the ship Ganges.'

Those breath-taking pictures and descriptions of the magnificent 'Borobudur'

from various angles, the unique design and structure of Borobudur built out of

1.6 million volcanic stone blocks, the intense beauty of 1460 relief carvings,

the extremely 'serene and calm' postures of Buddha in meditation, ...

All these aforementioned are so seamlessly and wonderfully integrated into one

masterpiece, titled 'The Lost Temple of Java', which would have never been possible

without the devotion of a dedicated, talented author and documentary filmmaker,

Phil Grabsky, and his excellent team members, not to mention the precious

sponsorship and encouragement from BBC TimeWatch.

This book is a 'must read', 'must buy' item.

I wish to express my special thanks to kbookusa who carefully handled each book

with plastic packing in order to preserve the condition, also to Amazon.com

marketplace, both of them I firmly believe will continue to play important

roles toward promoting the good of fellow human beings.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best book I've read this year, November 7, 2000

By 

aj (WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Temple of Java (Timewatch) (Paperback)

A real surprise - a fantastic account of the infamous Raffles and his discovery of a cool temple in Java. Great pics - well written. Could have done with bit more on Raffles.