Question on Angkor Wat Guide Books
 

I have read a number of entries on this forum discussing Dawn Rooney's Angkor guide. I have checked Amazon and see that her new book on Angkor will not be out until 2008. There are 2 different used books listed and I am trying to figure out which is the one that everyone raves about. One is entitled Angkor and is by Michael Freeman & Dawn Rooney (and there seems to be only one copy of this or at least only one seller of it). The other is entitled Guide to Angkor Wat (Odyssey Guides) and is by Dawn Rooney (and there are many sellers of this book). Both are dated 1994. Can anyone help me sort this out? As always, thanks.

I went through this exercise a while ago and ended up borrowing the book from a library in a nearby town. The one entitled "Angkor" is the one you want (Michael Freeman is the photographer) - but you want the 4th edition published in 2001. Amazon's navigation is a little tricky but when you bring up the page for it, there should be a place where you can click on "Also available in...paperback, 4th" - that should bring up 6 used options. Hope this helps and good luck. For what its worth, I thought the book provided far more detail than I would ever need but it was interesting to browse through - the services of a competent guide are far more worthwhile than the book.

Yes, Craig has correctly described the Dawn Rooney book I recommend.

There are "guide" people and "no-guide" people. I'm a "no-guide" person. The Dawn Rooney book is the one I took to Angkor with me. I had done considerable preparation from that book, and had done lots of other reading, so I wanted to experience the temples on my own. We were there in 2001, and we the the only visitors to many of the so-called minor temples. It was really wonderful.

Thanks to you both. Craig, I cannot figure out how to get to the 2001 edition--I keep arriving back at the one copy from 1994. I can't find the reference you mention to "also available". Can you give me any more advice on how to find it. Kathie, I know what you mean and we have done a lot of no-guide travel as well, but in this instance we are going the guide route. However, with an art history background, I know I am going to want to read all the details Craig mentions--both before and after our touring.

Cadwex, Step-by-step instructions:

1. Go to www.amazon.com

2. enter "dawn rooney angkor" in the search engine and hit "go"

3. Click on the third book down: "Angkor by Michael Freeman, Dawn Rooney, and Dawn F. Rooney (Paperback - April 1994)"

4. On the page that comes up, beneath "1 used and new" is "Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:" and beneath that is "paperback (4th)" - click on that

5. The page with the 4th edition should come up. Click on "6 used and new" for the sellers.

I hope this works for you.

I bought Dawn Rooney's book in the third edition on Amazon.

I am embarrassed to tell Craig how long it took me to figure this out--even with your step by step instructions--but the book is now on its way to me and I really appreciate the remedial assistance!

Glad to hear it worked out, cadwex. Ponheary and her brother Dara mentioned on this forum often are great guides. Ponheary is wonderful at interpreting the stories in the illustrations on the temples. Dara's specialty is all about the architecture. Do contact them - they are terrific.

Barnes and Noble had the new one listed as shipping Sept 23, so I ordered one. Now they're saying Oct 28 or something like that.

Amazon didn't have it showing up for pre order as of yesterday.

since we're going in December, I hope it will come in oct..if not, guess I ''l find a used one too.

lcuy - My Barnes and Noble account says that the Rooney book is scheduled to ship Oct. 18. Hopefully it does ship then as I am anxious to look through the book! Though I won't be leaving until the end of December so there's time yet.

Good luck to both lcuy and pebbles on the new edition of the Dawn Rooney book. It's been scheduled for publication for more than a year!

I agree with Kathie. Amazon is showing that the next edition won't be shipping until Feb. 2008! In any event, I am leaving at the beginning of November so I have ordered my used 4th edition.

The new edition arrived last week!

I have just ordered and received from Amazon, Dawn Rooney's 5th edition, "Angkor, Cambodia's Wondrous Khmer Temples"
The local bookstores, here in Portland, Or had not received their copies as of last week.
We are leaving for Cambodia next Sunday, so we have lots of reading to do this week.