A fascinating, concise and comprehensive description of ancient Khmer civilization. The volume outlines the evolution and development of one of the most splendid and long-lived civilizations of the entire Asian continent. The narrative and related images in the volume guide the reader from the birth of the Khmer civilization, through the first uncertain steps amongst the small and restless Khmer tribes, forced to endure the rule of larger and stronger powers, to the birth of the empire and then to its glory and decadence. A journey six centuries long, interspersed with great events and dramatic figures, but also with incredible architectural masterpieces scattered in the forests and countryside of Cambodia and parts of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, structures for many centuries almost lost to memory. Presenting both the classic vision of this civilization and also the latest theories about it, this volume is aimed at those who wish to learn the essential facts of Khmer history and culture, stripped of platitudes and romantic visions, in clear language that both tells a story and includes incisive anecdotes. AUTHOR: Stefano Vecchia graduated in Japanese Language and Literature at the University of Turin, and subsequently earned a diploma in oriental languages and culture at the Italian Institute for Africa and the East (IsIAO). He has worked as a professional journalist since 1990, and has divided his time between journalistic work in Italy and trips to Asia, where he is currently a correspondent for Italian publications. He has been chief editor of the magazine Popoli, published in Milan, and has been the director of the Milanbased magazine Quaderni Asiatici (Asian Notebooks) and manager of the Asia News agency, the first Italian agency reporting only on Asian lands and people. Stefano Vecchia's numerous reports and special photo shoots, published in a variety of journals, are the result of tireless travel and intense professional activity. In 2006 he contributed articles about Japanese and South-East Asian art for "The Great Story of Art" series, published by the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore; and in 2007 he completed guides to Bali and Japan. 210 colour illustrations