The classic Cambodian read is Norman Lewis' A Dragon Apparent: Travels in Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam (1951), an account of his 1950 foray into an Indochina that would soon disappear. In the course of his travels, Lewis circumnavigated Tonlé Sap lake, with a pause at Angkor. The book has been reissued as part of The Norman Lewis Omnibus (1995).

Written by writers who know and love their countries, To Asia with Love: A Connoisseur's Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam (2004), an anthology edited by Kim Fay, is a delightful introduction to Cambodia and the Mekong region for those looking for some inspiration and adventure.

The Coast of Cambodia (2001) by Robert Philpotts is a nice slice of travel literature and guidebook interwoven. Philpotts travelled from Krong Koh Kong to Kompong Trach and had a few adventures along the way.

Amit Gilboa's Off the Rails in Phnom Penh - Guns, Girls and Ganja (1998) is a repellent but very popular book dealing with such murky sub­jects as prostitution and drugs. It feels like he got too close to his subject at times and it's not really a side of Cambodia about which Khmers are proud.