An extraordinary account of Southeast Asia’s most esoteric female performing art: the ancient Cambodian ballet.

Since the dawn of recorded history, Khmer royalty nurtured a mysterious dance style unique to their Asian kingdom, yet instantly recognizable throughout the world. Spiritually, the ritual performances embodied the essence and strength of the Khmer race.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a wartime twist of fate gave researcher Paul Cravath extraordinary access to the formerly sequestered troupe of royal dancers, their teachers, theater and archives. A few months after his arrival the country fell to the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, initiating one of the worst genocides in human history. More than 90% of the dancers and teachers perished. Cravath, one of the last Westerners to leave, escaped with his research intact.

Earth in Flower gives readers a rare look at the long-hidden history of this beautiful art, the women who perpetuated it, and insights on how their dance balances the Khmer relationship between heaven and earth. The book thoroughly covers choreography, musicology, costuming and stagecraft. It also reveals a surprising tale of how these women profoundly affected Asian history for a millennium, acting as living goddesses, priestesses, queens, concubines, hostages and diplomats.