Since the dawn of recorded history, Khmer royalty nurtured a sacred dance style unique to their Asian kingdom, yet instantly recognizable throughout the world. In 1913, George Groslier published the first Western study of this ancient art. For nearly a century Danseuses cambodgiennes anciennes et modernes has stood as the first significant historic account of Cambodia s royal dance tradition. This edition presents the first English translation of his pivotal work, beautifully typeset with all the author s original drawings. It also includes the first personal account of Groslier's life by...

George Groslier's artistic vision of Cambodia's ancient dance tradition with the complete contents of his rare 1913 publication. With a Preface by Her Royal Highness Princess Buppha Devi of Cambodia, this deluxe modern edition features more than 250 hand-drawn illustrations and photos, extensive background materials, a bibliography and index. In his Foreword, Dr. Paul Cravath, author of the award-winning Cambodian dance history "Earth in Flower," notes that this is "The first commentary in any language--Asian or European--on one of the world's most refined performing arts." The book also...

Charged with constructing a great bridge, Frenchman Claude Rollin travels to Cambodia with his wife Raymonde, who reluctantly sacrifices her high-society Parisian life. She adapts poorly, suffering from homesickness, fever and depression, colored by an innate fear of the local people. *** Claude, however, gradually embraces the natural beauty, values and purity of the gentle kingdom. Then he meets Kamlang, a native girl with whom he forges "a relationship unlike any he had ever imagined, or could imagine, while still bound by his Western values." His decisions result in anguish, betrayal,...