The magnificent reliefs of Angkor Wat, wrapping around the temple walls for over 1/3 of a mile, have long fascinated visitors and scholars alike. Among recent books about the carvings, Roveda's (2003) study sets a new standard of excellence:
1. By concentrating only on the reliefs, Roveda is able to provide a more detailed and in many ways more satisfying analysis than most.
2. In addition to the major long reliefs of the third enclosure, Roveda's book also includes the comparatively neglected corner pavilion, lintel, and pedimental reliefs from elsewhere in the temple.
3. The book is appropriately illustrated, with over 250 good-quality black and white photographs.
4. The author quotes full translations of inscriptions associated with the reliefs.
5. The author, who has previously written a book on Khmer mythology, provides lengthy summaries of numerous stories from the Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc. which pertain to the reliefs.
6. The author, while proposing many new identifications for particular reliefs, also refers generously to other scholars with possibly different interpretations; the reader gets the full range of the best current thinking on the subject.
7. Roveda's writing is very clear and easy to understand.
It is rare to find a book which is so valuable for the general reader and the scholar alike; I highly recommend it; and for those who plan to visit Angkor, it is a book that you will surely want to take with you.