Dealing in turn with the major palaces of the different countries in Southeast Asia, Dumarcay covers both their architectural forms and the court ceremonials to which they were adapted. In spite of dissimilarities in the varying concepts of royal power, as well as differences of religion, there emerge common factors and themes in the residences of the monarchs and the elaborate rituals over which they presided. In addition to photographic illustrations, the book is enhanced by sixty-two original architectural drawings of the palaces and their decoration.