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The Kings of Angkor
The Kings of Angkor brings to life the story of the Khmer, the builders of Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and numerous other world renown temples. As with Robert Smith's other novels in the Southeast Asia trilogy (“The Kings of Ayutthaya,” and “The Kings of the Toungoo Empire,”) the story of the Khmer civilization is told by re-imagining and dramatizing the exploits of its rulers by building on the historical record left on temple carvings, in written accounts, and from archeological research.It was a time of kings. The novel commences as the future King Jayavarman II forged his kingdom from the weakening influence of the Sailendra Kingdom of Java who occupied the lands of Kambujadesa (Cambodia). His declaration of himself as Devaraja, “The Lord of the Universe who is King,” laid the foundation for the birth and future growth of the Khmer Empire. He sets the seeds for an empire not matched in size in southeast Asia until the Burman Toungoo Empire under King Bayinnaung many centuries later.The novel progresses through the time of the successive “varman” kings. Times of religion and religious conflict, of greed, betrayal, death, and internecine strife that run alongside those of loyalty, ingenuity, and determination. The building of temples and barays (reservoirs) are the legacies left that visitors flock to Angkor to see but these do not tell the full story. The novel places these structures, and the events surrounding them, in a context that is made understandable, and enjoyable, for the reader.All empires fall. The novel traces the rise and fall of an empire from its beginnings in 802 A.D. to its fall to the kingdom of Ayutthaya in 1431 A.D. The focus is on the “varman” kings, the builders of Angkor and the kings who took it to its greatest achievements. The decline of the empire was gradual but ended in a bloodbath, similar in many ways, to that leveled by the Burman king, King Hsinbyushin on Ayutthaya in 1767 A.D.The story dramatizes the famous figures in Angkorian history through dialogue, description, and narration while following the historical record as closely as possible, but adding the creative touch of the author. If you have visited or intend to visit Cambodia and Angkor Wat this book makes an ideal companion and places what you see in contextSupport material for the novel can be found at www.thekingsofayutthaya.com/thekingso.... Robert Smith is a writer living in Phitsanulok, Thailand. He specializes in historical fiction.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2019
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About the author
Robert Smith
40 books6 followersRobert Smith writes books. After a lifetime of what can only be described as work, he now follows his passion and writes books. Books that make you think; and books that cross genres. Alternative history, sci-fi, contemporary and historical narrative non-fiction.
The Southeast Asia trilogy spans the formation and magnificence of the Khmer Empire, the builders of Angkor Wat in "The Kings of Angkor," and moves onto the kingdom that finally conquered the Angkorian empire in "The Kings of Ayutthaya." The trilogy concludes with "The Kings of the Toungoo Empire," the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, and one many have never heard of. If you are visiting Cambodia, Thailand, or Myanmar these books are the perfect companion. If you are interested in a history with which you are unfamiliar then these books introduce you gently as a narrative rather than as a staid history book. Comments are hard-won but the one I like for the series is a simple one-word review "immersive."
From the self-published “1809; The Year They Freed the Slaves” to the published “The Kings of Ayutthaya” to the contemporary “The Will of the People,” his nine books (to date) will either make you question what you think or introduce you to something with which you are unfamiliar. “1809” will make you question why slavery in the United States was not ended earlier, “The Kings” will introduce you to the development and magnificence of Angkor and Ayutthaya, and to the capital of the Toungoo Empire, Pegu – a splendid city, one eventually destroyed by conquest.
“The Will of the People," ("The New World Order,” in paperback) is set ten years in the future and is a fast-moving political thriller that makes you question what you believe. As one publisher put it, "Hugely entertaining, but not for us."
The Annunaki Series has now been published as a compilation although the five books in the series remain available as independent books.
"The Annunaki" tells the story of the Annunaki commencing 14.2 million years ago when they selected mankind to develop by enhancing our DNA and giving early man the telepathic powers that they themselves enjoy. The book tells of the impact that they had on our history through time in a series of short stories.
The second book in the series "The Revenge of the Druids" looks at one repercussion of their enhancement of our genes as a schooner beaches of the coast of Chesapeake Bay in the mid-1800's. The schooner is a "coffin ship" containing a shipload of the dead from the Irish potato famine. Through an intermediary a miasma is released that terrorizes America in a way never envisaged before.
"Deep State" traces the story of a team of investigative journalists as they find evidence of the existence of aliens and evidence of a long standing government cover-up. Their work leads to the government admitting that they have known about alien visitations over the decades.
The fourth book in the series "2022; The Return of the Annunaki" sees the prophesies of their return come true. The Annunaki come to judge mankind on their husbandry of the planet. The future of mankind is challenged as they decide if we are a fit species to remain the dominant species on Planet Earth.
This book has proved very popular as it views what mankind is doing to the planet from the perspective of another civilization.
The fifth book "The Annunaki: The Reckoning" is exactly that. That book was followed by the last in the series :Armageddon.
"Murder in the Blood."
A Dynasty of Serial Killers, Father to Son
Former golden boy of Savannah PD, Detective Clyde Monroe has been tucked away in the cold case unit following his over-reaction to finding his wife in bed with the next-door neighbor’s wife. The opportunity for redemption comes when he visits a body discovered at a local golf course. Sensing that due to the manner of the crime that this may not be a lone kill he digs deeper requesting information from other cold case units. A
The Southeast Asia trilogy spans the formation and magnificence of the Khmer Empire, the builders of Angkor Wat in "The Kings of Angkor," and moves onto the kingdom that finally conquered the Angkorian empire in "The Kings of Ayutthaya." The trilogy concludes with "The Kings of the Toungoo Empire," the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, and one many have never heard of. If you are visiting Cambodia, Thailand, or Myanmar these books are the perfect companion. If you are interested in a history with which you are unfamiliar then these books introduce you gently as a narrative rather than as a staid history book. Comments are hard-won but the one I like for the series is a simple one-word review "immersive."
From the self-published “1809; The Year They Freed the Slaves” to the published “The Kings of Ayutthaya” to the contemporary “The Will of the People,” his nine books (to date) will either make you question what you think or introduce you to something with which you are unfamiliar. “1809” will make you question why slavery in the United States was not ended earlier, “The Kings” will introduce you to the development and magnificence of Angkor and Ayutthaya, and to the capital of the Toungoo Empire, Pegu – a splendid city, one eventually destroyed by conquest.
“The Will of the People," ("The New World Order,” in paperback) is set ten years in the future and is a fast-moving political thriller that makes you question what you believe. As one publisher put it, "Hugely entertaining, but not for us."
The Annunaki Series has now been published as a compilation although the five books in the series remain available as independent books.
"The Annunaki" tells the story of the Annunaki commencing 14.2 million years ago when they selected mankind to develop by enhancing our DNA and giving early man the telepathic powers that they themselves enjoy. The book tells of the impact that they had on our history through time in a series of short stories.
The second book in the series "The Revenge of the Druids" looks at one repercussion of their enhancement of our genes as a schooner beaches of the coast of Chesapeake Bay in the mid-1800's. The schooner is a "coffin ship" containing a shipload of the dead from the Irish potato famine. Through an intermediary a miasma is released that terrorizes America in a way never envisaged before.
"Deep State" traces the story of a team of investigative journalists as they find evidence of the existence of aliens and evidence of a long standing government cover-up. Their work leads to the government admitting that they have known about alien visitations over the decades.
The fourth book in the series "2022; The Return of the Annunaki" sees the prophesies of their return come true. The Annunaki come to judge mankind on their husbandry of the planet. The future of mankind is challenged as they decide if we are a fit species to remain the dominant species on Planet Earth.
This book has proved very popular as it views what mankind is doing to the planet from the perspective of another civilization.
The fifth book "The Annunaki: The Reckoning" is exactly that. That book was followed by the last in the series :Armageddon.
"Murder in the Blood."
A Dynasty of Serial Killers, Father to Son
Former golden boy of Savannah PD, Detective Clyde Monroe has been tucked away in the cold case unit following his over-reaction to finding his wife in bed with the next-door neighbor’s wife. The opportunity for redemption comes when he visits a body discovered at a local golf course. Sensing that due to the manner of the crime that this may not be a lone kill he digs deeper requesting information from other cold case units. A
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 21, 2020
This book was very informative for a region I know almost nothing about. It is written as a novel with non-fiction facts peppered throughout. I gave it 3 stars for two main reasons. The first is that the author covers a very long time period in the one book with some kings getting more attention than others. I feel like a little more story covering less time with more character development would have made it feel less like a textbook at times. My second reason is that the typos get ti be more and more as you get further along. It seems like whoever proofread the book got a little lazy as time went on and it gets a bit distracting.
May 23, 2023
The Kings Of Angkor is an extremely well written book that brings to life historical accounts about the Khmer empire. The author, Robert Smith, enables readers to create a more elaborate visual of this ancient empire; it’s religious architectural wonders, military campaigns, and living conditions and daily struggles of its royal and common people alike. A must read book that will captivate you from the beginning chapter to the ending chapter!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews