A History of Cambodia: The Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat, and the Modern State: The Political, Cultural, and Social Evolution of the Cambodian People (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798269559995)

This book tells the complete story of the land and people of Cambodia. It starts by explaining how the country's geography, with its great river and unique lake, provided the foundation for early settlements. The rich soil and abundant water allowed villages to grow, leading to the first organized communities that would eventually form powerful kingdoms.

The narrative continues with the rise of early kingdoms that mastered trade and began blending local traditions with new cultural ideas. This cultural mixing created a strong foundation for society. The book then details the birth of a great empire, showing how a powerful leader united these communities. This union led to the building of a magnificent city, a vast urban center that became the heart of a mighty civilization.

A large section of the book is dedicated to the construction of the world's largest religious temple, explaining its design as a representation of the universe and the immense effort required to build it. The book explores how the empire's rulers combined spiritual belief with practical control over water to maintain their power for centuries. It then explains the various reasons this great city was eventually left behind, including environmental pressures and conflicts with neighboring powers.

The story moves into a difficult period where the country struggled between its stronger neighbors, which lasted until it became a protected territory of a European nation. The book covers the fight for and achievement of independence in the mid-twentieth century, followed by the tragic internal conflict that caused immense suffering for its people.

Finally, the book brings the story to the present day, describing the long path to peace and the modern nation's efforts to develop its economy while preserving its ancient structures. It connects the achievements of the earliest settlers to the lives of modern citizens, showing how a nation's history is a continuous thread, linking the past directly to the present. This is a clear and connected account of political, cultural, and social change.

Author: Liang Wei Hao
ISBN-13: 9798269559995
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 10/12/2025
Pages: 140
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.43lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.30d