Stories in Stone: The Sdok Kok Thom Inscription & the Enigma of Khmer History

by John Burgess

A personal and historic account of Sdok Kok Thom temple, weaving in the archaeology of Cambodia's Angkor civilization with the political turmoil of Cambodia during the 1960s-70s.

198 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2010

About the author

John Burgess is the author of the historical novel 'A Woman of Angkor,' set in the 12th Century golden age of Cambodia’s lost Angkor civilization. The short description: She’s beautiful, she’s spiritual, she’s got a secret. The book recreates daily life in one of the world’s greatest yet least-known ancient cultures. John has written three other books: 'Stories in Stone,' a non-fiction account of how French linguists recovered Angkor’s forgotten history by decoding inscription stones, 'Temple in the Clouds,' a history of Preah Vihear, the amazing cliff-top temple that has been the subject of a border feud between Cambodia and Thailand, and 'The Stairway Guide's Daughter,' a novel set at Preah Vihear in the 12th Century. It will come out in mid-2017.

Before turning to writing books, John was a reporter and editor at The Washington Post. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Karen.

Reviews

[Mary Alice]

Interesting that my copy of the book has a different subtitle. I am going to a book talk by the author on December 7 so I'll have to ask the author about this.

Very interesting history of an old, magnificent temple and its inscription that tells the history of the Khmer people.

[William]

This is a must read book to open a window into Angkor's mind -- through the inscriptions on a stone stele by a brahmin. I didn't know much about this but this book opens new ground in understanding Angkor.

Very readable.

[veera sekhar muddana]

Mesmerizing, delightful, thorough.

Beware, just like the khmer temples John will trap you into a magical world where there is no escape. But then why would anyone want to leave?