A General History of Cambodia

Name: A General History of Cambodia
ISBN: 9787552024029

段立生Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press · ChinaJul 2019

3.8

Word count: 205K words
Chapters: 27
ISBN: 9787552024029

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Summary

A History of Cambodia is the latest major work by Professor Duan Lisheng, a leading Chinese authority on Southeast Asian history. It traces Cambodia through every historical stage, from antiquity, the Funan and Angkor dynasties, and the Chenla period to the Kingdom of Cambodia, French colonial rule, the national independence movement, the kingdom under Sihanouk, the Khmer Republic under Lon Nol, the Khmer Rouge era, and contemporary Cambodia. Cambodia's history is one of intertwined glory and humiliation, of unity alternating with division; its people have produced astonishing achievements and endured the pain of displacement and upheaval. From the earliest kingdom of Funan to the prosperous "Wealthy Chenla," Cambodia once dominated its region and stood as a center of economic exchange and cultural interaction in Southeast Asia, with all the stature of a great power. Yet prosperity gave way to decline: at the end of the 13th century, neighboring powers invaded and years of war brought ruin to the country and misery to its people. More than 90 years of colonial rule then drained away Cambodia's former glory. In modern times, domestic and foreign forces took turns on the stage and rival factions vied for power, making the Cambodian people's pursuit of national and state independence an arduous struggle. Today the Kingdom of Cambodia has at last achieved unity and independence, and its old wounds are gradually healing. Like a phoenix reborn from the flames, Cambodia shines anew and has become a rising star of Southeast Asia.

Editor's review

A History of Cambodia is the fruit of years of scholarly dedication by Professor Duan Lisheng, offering a systematic account of Cambodia's full historical arc from the ancient kingdom of Funan to the modern era. Its greatest value lies in moving beyond the single 'Indianization' lens that has long dominated Southeast Asian historiography, examining Cambodian civilization instead through a multifaceted framework of indigenous development, regional interaction and global influence. Drawing on solid archaeological and documentary evidence, the author provides an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of the Angkorian empire, the impact of French colonial rule and modern political transformations, with especially measured scholarly restraint and humanistic concern in his treatment of the Khmer Rouge period. The book cites extensively from original Khmer-language sources and the latest archaeological findings, correcting several biases in earlier Western scholarship. Readers are advised to focus on the chapters on the relationship between 'hydraulic society' and kingship, which are key to understanding the distinctiveness of Cambodian civilization. As a rare thematic general history of Cambodia in the Chinese-speaking world, the book both fills a scholarly gap and offers general readers a reliable window into this enigmatic country.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Researchers needing systematic study of Southeast Asian history and culture
Travelers planning to visit Cambodia who wish to understand its civilization in depth
Readers concerned with modernization and development issues in Third World countries
University students in history, anthropology or international relations

Not a good fit for

Casual readers seeking light travelogues or practical travel guides
Readers who want a quick overview of Cambodia today without interest in historical context

Reading tips

Before reading, browse the dynastic genealogy tables and chronology at the end of the book to establish a temporal framework
Read alongside illustrated volumes on Angkorian architecture to strengthen intuitive understanding of cultural achievements
Focus on Chapters 4–6 on the social structure and hydraulic system of the Angkorian empire

About the publisher

Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press China · Founded in 1982

Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press is a comprehensive publisher with humanities and social science publishing as its mainstay, covering politics, economics, law, philosophy, history, literature, education, psychology and related fields. Judging from the books in our catalog, its publishing direction emphasizes social science thought, applied psychology, history and cultural life: it includes works of social theory such as Zygmunt Bauman's Work, Consumerism and the New Poor, general-interest titles such as How to Read Western Classics and A Guide to the Good Life, and practical psychology books such as Emotional First Aid. In history and food culture, it offers Shanghai History (2 volumes) and The Medieval Kitchen. Biographies such as The Suffragette and nature and culture titles such as Dragon: An Unidentified Animal together reflect a publishing character that balances academic depth with reading for the general public. Because public information is limited, further details about series and author resources are not listed here.

版权信息
作者简介
内容简介
前言
第一章上古时期
一、柬埔寨的历史疆域和原住民及移民
二、考古发现
第二章中古时期
一、扶南王朝（公元1—7世纪初）
二、早期真腊（公元7—8世纪末）
三、吴哥王朝（公元802—1432年）
四、晚期真腊（公元1432—1595年）
五、柬埔寨王国（公元1595—1863年）
第三章近代时期
一、法国殖民统治时期（公元1863—1953年）
二、两次世界大战中的柬埔寨
三、柬埔寨人民反抗外国殖民统治的斗争
第四章当代时期
一、第二次世界大战后柬埔寨民族独立运动的兴起
二、西哈努克领导下的柬埔寨王国
三、朗诺统治下的高棉共和国
四、红色高棉执政时期
五、三届大选和联合政府的重组
六、当代柬埔寨的政治、经济、文化、教育及与中国的关系
附录一柬埔寨国王世系表（本书作者编）
附录二柬埔寨国王世系表（［英］霍尔编）
参考文献

FAQ

How does this book differ from David Chandler's A History of Cambodia?

Duan's work places greater emphasis on Chinese-language sources and the integration of archaeological findings, with fuller treatment of ancient history; Chandler's book excels in modern and contemporary political history. The two are complementary.

Can non-specialist readers understand the book?

The author strikes a good balance between scholarly rigor and readability. Though specialized terms appear, all are explained in plain language, and readers with a high-school level of historical knowledge can read it smoothly.

Does the book cover Cambodia's contemporary political and economic situation?

The narrative ends in the early 21st century, with a brief account of post-Khmer Rouge reconstruction, but the focus remains on historical development; other sources are needed for the latest situation.

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About the author

段立生 Author

Duan Lisheng is an author about whom limited public information is currently available. One work by this author is included in the collection, A General History of Cambodia, which is classified under world history. This work indicates that his writing focuses on the history of Southeast Asian countries, especially Cambodia, and takes the form of a general history intended for Chinese-language readers who wish to gain a systematic understanding of Cambodia's historical development. Because reliable biographical information is lacking, his education, profession, and research focus cannot be confirmed, and his identity should therefore not be over-interpreted. Based on the available work, Duan Lisheng's contribution lies in writing a general history of Cambodia in Chinese, offering readers a reference work on the country's history. His writing style tends toward tracing historical threads and narrating facts, with emphasis on presenting an overall framework.