The Khmer Empire

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Dan Gallagher

Length: 1 hr and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Khmer Empire, also known as the Angkor Empire, was a powerful empire of Southeast Asia that was established in AD 802 and ended in 1431 with the invasion of the Siamese and abandonment of Angkor. The Khmer Empire was responsible for many of the historic monuments and temples found throughout the jungles of modern-day Cambodia and also in other countries of Southeast Asia, all made possible by the fact the Khmer Empire reached across modern-day Cambodia, parts of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, making it a strategic trading partner with ships traveling from China and India.  

Of all the architecture, the empire is best known for constructing Angkor Wat, one of the modern world’s greatest wonders. Known in English as Angkor Wat (“City Temple”), the gigantic complex was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to serve as the king’s state temple and capital city. Since it has remained so finely preserved, it has maintained religious significance for nearly 900 years, first dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, and then Buddhist. 

Understandably, it has become one of Cambodia’s most potent symbols and tourist attractions, and it even appears on the Cambodian national flag. Angkor Wat continues to fascinate the world, both due to its sheer grandeur and size as well as its ornamental decorations both inside and out. With political strife in Cambodia having cooled, Angkor Wat is now a major tourist attraction, bringing upwards of half a million foreigners per year, which accounts for more than half of the nation’s tourists.  

As a result, the long-lasting influence this empire had on the people of Cambodia can still be felt today, with Angkor Wat being featured on the national flag. 

The Khmer Empire: The History and Legacy of One of Southeast Asia’s Most Influential Empires chronicles the remarkable history of the Khmer and their impact on the region. You will learn about the Khmer Empire like never before. 

©2018 Charles River Editors (P)2018 Charles River Editors

Poor at best

Shame on me not seeing this was a 1.5 hour audiobook. It sounds like someone read the Wikipedia page on Angor Wat. Rip off.

Proof that there is more to it's history!

historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, hinduism, buddhism, pictures

The development of the people is documented from the beginning of the common era thruogh the invasion of the Mongols led by Kubla Khan. There is much detailing of dynasties and wars, crossover beliefs between specific Hindu and Buddhist sects, development of Sanskrit and the excellence of carvings of various building projects most notably Angkor Wat. There is only one map, and no modern one for comparison. But the photos of Angkor Wat are quite well done. The publisher's blurb is rather extensive and needs no repeat.
The narrator is adequate.

So very dull

The narrator sounds as bored as I was. Is he an old Vietnam veteran. He made some interesting facts just as boring as a history text book. Some of his pronunciation was almost inaudible eg Hanuman the monkey god. On my way to Angkor Wat but this is still significantly dull & badly read with little intonation