Andrew Stevenson must have many happy memories of his Himalayan journeys, despite the tendency towards altitude sickness, which he overcame, and the hard strive to reach Thorong La, and leave the most difficult climbing behind. His memories will also be of his encounters with other trekkers and of the usually charming and friendly Nepalese people, especially the 12 year old Dipak who spent some days excitedly 'guiding' him. I am sure he would have found peace and much comfort in the environment of the Himalayas.

I followed the maps with intent as the journey progressed and eventually closed a book I have so enjoyed. I am delighted and proud to possess an attractive hard bound edition of Annapurne Circuit: Himalayan Journey. I am also pleased to see it is now available as a paperback - a wonderful gift, especially with Christmas and the new Millennium on the not too distant horizon.

This is definitly THE BEST contemporary adventure travel book I have read to date. Outside of the more "classic" authors (i.e. Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, and even Matthiessen) most of the stuff put to print in the last 20 years is drek. But not this book. First, it is not pretentious and annoying like so many others. Stevenson is not condencing nor a know it all. He writes from the heart with great observations, humour and intellect. Let me tell you a little story. I was on the Annapurna circuit Feb. 1999, and saw his book at the bhaati he visited in Kagbeni. Inspite of my "bad" experiences reading recent advernture travel books I mustered the perseverence to set aside my Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness (specifically chosen as my literature accompaniment for this journey) and began reading. After spending a good hour with the book I made up my mind to pick up a copy when I return to Pokhara. Now at home, in Tel Aviv, I just finished the book: it helped me relive many of the same experiences, observatiosn and questions about life the author so pointedly brings to light. Highly recommended -:)

This delightful travelogue explores a popular trekking route in Eastern Nepal that has rarely been written about. Stevenson relates a journey that is rich with colourful characters, and is seeped in exquisite descriptions of the countryside through which he travels. The book is personally written, as if reading a diary, and it is this intimacy which allows the author's personality to permeate the stories, drawing the reader in alongside him. Thus, the reader accompanies Stevenson, whilst encountering a lively engagement with both internal and external landscapes. "Annapurna Circuit: Himalayan Journey" is an extraordinary achievement, unique in its combination of geographical location and literary style. In particular, his incisive examination of the effects of tourism on the Himalayas makes this account a valuable record of a beautiful and archaic land that may soon be altered irrevocably by the insidious and pervasive influence of western capitalism.

Few mountaneering authors can match Reinhold's ability to describe his own experience and state of mind. Part of this ability must be attributed to his native tongue German, where deep and emotional narratives must be especially long and precise due to the inherent form of the language. But for me this translates to English especially well and I understood (as best as one can understand another's world) all the different emotional states Messner experienced with a rare clarity.

Some may find relating to Messner a bit of a stretch and even be dismissive of his romanticism and general intensity. Personally I can very much relate to his personality and I found insights into his inner nature an invaluable look into someone who has explored the human spirit way beyond what many of us will know. He was, after all, the first to climb Everest solo and completely unassisted from base camp. This is a feat that is becoming harder to repeat due to the increasing popularity of climbing Everest and other 8000m peaks.

The book is essentially a series of excerpts from his most notable climbs (and previous writings), usually with a short abridgement to link each story together. Overall the book Reinhold seems to be using it as a vehicle to not only explain himself put also push his mountaneering philosophy (which I tend to agree with on most points). There is also the occasional excerpt from the diary of his basecamp companions that set the scene nicely (but also seem to make the object of some feminine hero worship at times!)

Absolutely worthwhile read, especially if you want an overview of Messner's major achievements. If you want the detail read the original books of each climb.

In "To The Top of the World", Reinhold Messner not only solidifies his legend as a pioneering mountaineer, he also succedes in translating his innermost feelings and thoughts into words. Messner's tales of his climbing exploits are interspersed with expression of his deep-seated fears and struggles to find meaning in life and death. Messner has clearly been affected by the death of his brother Gunther, and the reader gets the sense that Messner climbs these mountains to exact revenge on the mountains, and himself for his brother's death. Messner himself is constantly drawing the reader into the depths of the human soul on the brink of death. The details of the climbs are broken by the ever-present underlying theme of the profound relationship between mountaineering and life and death. Messner's eloquence and ability to draw on the reader's emotion is sensational. The frequent photographic images, although welcome, almost detract from the spiritual nature of the book. Messner gives the reader the ability to feel the climb and experience the elation and despair that is Himalayan climbing. The one fault I find is in the slick omission of details of his relationship with Nena Holguin. We move from a married Messner, to a single, loving Messner without even a segue in the form of an explanation. Nevertheless, the book is a fabulous read, and a great accomplishment by the prolific Mr. Messner. It is painfully clear that in high altitude mountain climbing, longevity may indeed be decided by fates out of our control, and Mr. Messner is the master of his domain.
Anthony M. Frasca,M.D.

Mr. Messner climbed Mt. Everest solo and without oxygen. On the way he fell into a crevasse and was doomed. Praying and promising God he would go down the mountain, he jumped to a ice shelf not knowing whether it would hold or not. It held and he continued up Everest to the summit. This is just one example of this man's extension of himself beyond all limits expected of mortal man. He was lucky this time, but as he describes in the book, luck was not all on his side. A must read for anyone interested in mountaineering or adventure. Mr. Messner is indeed the greatest mountaineer who ever lived.

Simply one of the best books I've ever read. Matthiessen manages to capture the length and breadth of his journey in every sense of those words. A book this helpful on the spiritual aspects of the journey would be excellent; a book this fascinating about a trek like his would be great; put 'em together and you win a national book award. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to think, learn, and grow. If you want simple entertainment enter John Grisham in the search box.

Peter Matthiessen is truly an American treasure, one of those rare writers who balances both erudition and accesibility. You want to read his books but you'd also like to hang out with him over a cup of green tea some cloudy afternoon.

Of his many books, fiction and non-, the Snow Leopard is by far the best -- an outstanding anthropological journey but also a moving journey of the soul. What has always stuck me about his search for the elusive snow leopard was not the result but the cause. After his wife dies of cancer, Matthissen is clearly searching for something - forgiveness? penance? peace? His ultimate lesson is that he climbs the great peaks and finds nothing but the wonder joy of the search itself. What a tremendous insight. Read this book and go on the journey, then read it again -- it is like a bible to the seeker.

My brother casually lent me this book some years ago, but I only had the chance to read it recently. In a word I was stunned- in both Mathiessen's honesty and the force and beauty with which he renders all things he chooses to write about. Framing a period of great loss and confusion in his personal life, Matthiessen sets out on a scientific trip through Nepal with preeminent zoologist George Schaller. Their aim is to study and observe the Himalayan blue sheep, but in the back of their minds is the rare chance to see the mythic cat of the mountain cathedrals, the snow leopard. What makes Matthiessen's storytelling so rich is his ability to blend all his interests throughout the odyssey (philosophy, anthro, biology, history) in a way that magnifies the simple art of walking a path, observing. Throughout the book, we share that image with Matthiessen: walking a path surrounded by mountains ringing in light. With these surroundings he initiates an ongoing conversation with himself. Passing him and falling behind him on the path are a motley group of guides and sherpas. Some are quiet and resourceful, some opportunistic and cunning, and there is one who we never fully understand. This one, the enigmatic Tukten, is the one whom Matthiessen is the most drawn to. Perhaps because he feels he himself is a mystery, and that the world is a mystery. And to acknowledge this, is also a direction. After finishing the book, I called my brother to tell him how much I enjoyed the book. I mentioned a favorite passage, where George Schaller exchanges a haiku with Matthiessen, one that he had written during a long hike up to one of the villages. Unfailingly, my brother recited the haiku from memory after which must have been years since reading it. Maybe you too will find yourself saying it on a path of similar space:

Oh cloud trails I go Alone, with chatting porters. There is a crow.

When I purchased this book, i was trepiditious about Mr wises particpation. After all.Mr thurman is an acknowledged authority on tibetan buddhism,a friend of hh dalai lama,and wise is a alcoholic,trying to come to grips with his life. well, thank God for mr wises input in this Book1 It made it readable, and somewaht enjoyable.Mr Thurman comes off as a bullying professor,another self important gasbag who has spent too much time in academia.I have no doubt that he is a sincere buddhist,though what comes off here is a longwinded,pedantic bore.The cloak and dagger bit is a little much,though I am sure his fans will eat it up[will the chinese catch me at the border,etc.]The chinese come off rather brutally ,especially in regard to the compassion esposed throughout this book. For the truest of true believers,though Mr wises is entertaining, engaging and I'd travel with him anytime. Just leave Mr thurman home with a mirror and tape recorder.please.

This book was an exhilarating reading experience. With Tad Wise's descriptions of the scenery and Robert Thurman's vivid teachings, I felt as if I was there with them learning and experiencing everything. Their journey was long and storied and well presented. Seeing the experience from two sides, the teacher (Thurman) and the student (Wise) give a wide view of this country and its religion. Wise's antidotes add the human side to the experience. It shows how even you can achieve these great things. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates journeys, religion, or even just a good true story. Thurman and Wise's account make the trek memorable.

This book, I suppose, could be read by one of two groups of people. First: it could be read by the New Age Hippie traveller types looking for an intreguing story about a man travelling. I more approve of this kind of reading..... Tad Wise part of the story is told with humor and warm feeling.... The second, more Buddhafied group, looking to Prof. Thruman as a kind of guru, is not going to get enough here. Bad Dharma. Too little.

Perhaps, if one was going to read his sermons with a couple of other books, one could get a good understanding of something. It when accompanied by Wise's prose is fairly... um, enlightening....

I'm afraid that lots of people are going to miss that though.... If the two journeys are disconnected, the book goes to become mediocre..... keep that in mind!!!

In the sixties Ole and his wife Hannah embarked on an epic overland journey culminating in their meeting H.H. the 16th Karmapa in Nepal. This book tells the compelling story of Ole & Hannah's experiences in becoming students of H.H. and many other great Tibetan lamas. It reflects the exuberant and contagiously upflifting personality of Ole Nydahl. He is an indefatigable teacher and meditation master of great ability, who still travels the globe to broadly inspire Diamond Way Buddhism into anyone who attends his delightful courses and events. He has since founded some hundreds of Diamond Way centres around the world. I recommend anyone to read the book, or - even better - to meet him or his students in person at one of his many Diamond Way centres.

This book presents the experiences and transformations of Ole Nydhal, who first believed in psychedelic drugs and step by step advanced to become a buddhist master recognized by the 16. Karmapa. Good autobiographical reading. The author is austoundingly honest about all the strange things he did on his way.

Not only does the book give you a glimse of buddhism, there are retreat centers and contact details in the back; meeting lama ole in person is not a problem because he travels to every major european city and many cities within the U.S.

Daniel Easterman is the Nom de Plume of Denis McEoin, professor at Univ. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, an embittered ex-Baha'i.

Daniel Easterman is, in my opinion, one of the best thriller writers around, but this book is easily his best (there are few of his books I have not read). Once you have finished reading the start of the book you will soon find it hard, if not impossible, to close this book until you have read through to the end.

The Ninth Buddha is the absolute best mystery novel that I have ever read. It captivates the mind of the reader and entrances the soul.

Having gone to Woodstock School as well, albeit, many years later (1976-1983) this book was a trip down memory lane for me. It was interesting to see how many things had not changded and that the Author's and my experiences and memories ran parallel. The dust and the heat of the plains are vividly described triggering bittersweet memories of the discomfort. It was interesting to compare and contrast the different perspectives of an American "mish-kid" growing up in India with my own perspective of an Indian boy attending Woodstock School. The author vividly paints a beautiful verbal mural of Mussoorie: describing the incessant monsoon rains, the lush hillside, the species of insects and birds, the breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped mountains to the north. He also succeeds in bringing back to life many things I had forgotten. The thrill of getting a brand new "customized" top at the topwallahs; the acrid atmosphere during the pre-monsoon as the hillsides erupted into flames; the hunger pangs we experienced each time we passed the "mithaiwallah" in the bazaar, hoping for a little treat to offset the bland concoctions we were served at school; the thrill of playing games on the Mount at Ridgewood; and so many more wonderful images. The events detailed are wonderful, however; I wish he would have written more of an introspective autobiography. A definite reccommendation for all of us who hold Mussoorie and Woodstock School close in our hearts.

A touching and accurate account of an Indian hill station. The interplay of relationships in a sometimes lonely yet happy place is well described. The dynamics of change in a different culture from a secure, simple way of life to one of more complexity is pleasantly stated. The events of summer with its monsoon rains, bringing out the bugs in such marvelous diversity to the dust and dirt of the plains illustrates the real India. Even some of the more baser elements of those times are humorously brought out. A well done delightful description.

The purpose of this work is to explore the worlds of Shamanism and Tantra, specifically in Nepal, not all over the Himalayas, as the title would suggest. The authors divide the subject up into just over 30 major themes and then exposit to varying depths on the particular facets. Each chapter is a mixture of their personal experiences, the reports of their Shaman friends, relevant side-bar quotations from a wide range of sources, and full color photography from beginning to end. Over all, it has some very clear strengths and weaknesses.

On the positive side, the pages are dripping with stunning photography. Rich color reproduction shows off the details of the Shamanic world, Nepal, and over 50 gorgeous paintings of the relevant deities. These paintings are given their own descriptive addendum to insure they are properly appreciated. The majority of what is discussed in the text is pictured somewhere nearby, so if anything is unclear there is immediate visual help at hand. The text itself is clear, engaging, and stock full of details, many of which appear to have been overlooked by other authors writing both on the Himalayan region itself and on Shamanism in general. This wealth of information is because the authors were not satisfied with being arm-chair anthropologists, but spent over a decade among the Nepalese Shamans, becoming their friends, gaining their trust, and being allowed into their world. They are very sympathetic to this view of reality and write about it with passion, so it's rarely boring.

On the other hand, there are some problems. First, despite the size and the comments in the other review, don't be misled into thinking this is encyclopedic. It isn't, and the authors clearly say so themselves. Their major focus is on making available data that is not found in most run of the mill books on Shamanism in this region. The general picture is there, but the details focus on trying to shed light where there has been little before. For this reason, it probably isn't the first book on Shamanism you would want to read. Second, if it's the Tantra angle that interests you, there is very little on it. There is so little, in fact, that there is really only one sustained discussion on it, which is only part of one chapter. The other information is scattered throughout the rest of the book's discussion on Shamanism. Again, this isn't the first book on Tantra you would want to read, but if you know enough about Tantra to connect the dots yourself it provides some really interesting links and suggestions regarding how the two worldviews relate, both doctrinally, artistically, and historically. On the picky side, the text suffers various lapses that will annoy people to different levels. Those involved with religious studies will be progressively irritated with the naive philosophy of religion that the authors display. Despite the book being a monument to the fact that Shamanism functions as a religion, they insist it isn't. They also claim it involves no faith, again in the face of many things presented in the work that must be accepted by faith. In fact, a number of the statements of the Shamans in here are factually inaccurate, yet nothing, no matter how far out, is ever questioned in the slightest, nor is the epistemological problem this casts on the information they gain from their trips, whether on hallucinogens or not, ever discussed. Social and psychological aspects that effect the Shamanic interpretations and the authors' research methodology are dismissed, if not completely ignored. If things like that don't bother you, the sloppy inconsistency on points might. For example, on the exact same page (186) they proclaim that destructive energies can be both destroyed and not destroyed. How about their claim on page 13 that "shamanism only exists in specific areas of Asia" today, which is contradicted by their displayed knowledge of it in the Americas elsewhere in the book? These should not be confused with the numerous contradictions between the various Shamanic schools that are presented, which are given for completeness. Finally, and this would not be worth mentioning if it didn't come up so many times in a book repeatedly promoting love, harmony and understanding: at least one of the authors is anti-Christian to the point of unreasonable bigotry. It ranges from statements of factual error (such as Christianity not being an historically oriented religion) to slander (such as the long disproved accusation that Wycliffe translation teams are covert CIA operatives, for which the authors can only provide a specious debunked source over 20 years old).

All that aside, I bought it, read it, and it has a secure place in my library as a resource I can see returning to many times in the future. It's pricey, but it's worth it. It's the only book I've ever had where I constantly caught people stopped in their tracks looking at the pictures over my shoulder and interrupting my reading to find out what it was.

The scientific, factual, and succinct data and information listed in Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas exhibits a sense of point blank poignancy and excitement as it reveals the lush mental and psychic worlds that developed in the cultures of regions within the Himalayan landscapes. The facts serve as foundation for the knowledge presented in monologues, essays, and dialogues between the three authors and various shamen (and women!!). For example, nestled among complete writings on Shamanism, Tantrika, Vajra Mantra, Yantra, Mandala, Chakra, Gods, Hallucinogens, Healing, Thangkas, Henbane, Yeti, and the cycle of time one, finds musings of the following nature, and I quote:

"I am sitting at the computer, gazing out at the cloud draped Himalayas, listening to the CD Spiritual Dark Dimensions (1999) by the Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir. My gaze follows the crows, eagles, and vultures that circle and screech in front of our house. I don't know why, but memories well up in me about my encounter with the Jesuit "Father" Caspar Miller, a white-haired old man from some place . . . "

What Christian Ratsch goes on to reveal about the effects of the Jesuit virus within the Social and Spiritual realities of people living in the Himalayan region is astonishing.
Oh, and the pictures. Yes, the pictures. The photographs and dense illustrations really exist beyond words. Even without words, and for the pictures and art alone, this book is worth the somewhat hefty price. And it is encyclopedic. The authors take the time to explain various facets and concepts of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Shamanism from the point of view of at least three different religious sects of the region. Also one can find numerous listings of uses and preparations for hallucinogenic ritual plants and fungi from the region, along with prayers to Ganesha and verbatim accounts of animal sacrifice rituals performed in cemeteries. They even have the "Smoking Recipe for the Ceremony of Conjuring the Dead." Can you possibly think of anything more useful than that?
This book is big, broad, bold, and very, very beautiful, literally and metaphorically, my favorite and most functional book in my entire collection. It's certainly not something I sat down and read cover to cover when I first received it.

For most of us a high adventure in the Himalaya means going to the Everest Base Camp or taking the Annapurna circuit. Those who prefer to climb, be it Makalu, K2, Nanga Parbat or Everest have the same story to tell. A big mountain? ... a big deal ... maybe! But how many books can you possibly read on the same mountain? Now there is something new for a change.

Across the frozen Himalaya is a story of eight men who chose to traverse not a peak or a valley but challenged the Himalaya itself. They travelled on skis, in winters, the coldest in the last two decades, across regions rarely visited by adventurers and for the first time give a glimpse of the Himalaya that is unknown to the western world.

Across the frozen Himalaya opens new doors to a new adventure in the Himalaya that can be as dangerous as climbing Everest and as entertaining as visiting Antarctica. Kohli provides detail knowledge of the region supported by maps and pictures. It is an interesting book with useful information for future explorers, suspense for those looking for a story and humour for light readers. Across the frozen Himalaya is a surprise adventure story written in an unpretentious style.

Across the frozen himalaya

By HARISH KOHLI

'Across the frozen himalaya' is a story of an extra-ordinary adventure which surprisingly was never been thought before. It is a story of the first attempt to ski across the Himalaya during the thick of winters. Those who may have read Jon Krakaur's 'Into Thin Air' will find this even more moving, lucid and unnerving. Every bit is absorbing as the team challenge one pass after another, daring avalanches, cold and crevasses to cover a distance of 2,000 km.

The book is meticulously researched and exceptionally well written, Across the Frozen Himalaya, avoids the hype and easy condemnation that infests most of such books. The book offers psychological thoughts to the every day problems and vivid details told matter-of-factly, almost quietly. The result is a deeply moving narrative that honours the courage of his team members.

Across the Frozen Himlaya reads like a fine novel - it is an engrossing book, difficult for the reader to put down.

Those of us reared on Dr Livingstone and Christopher Columbus, Amundsen and Scott, would be hard put to realise as to who is Harish Kohli.

On May 5, 1982, a team of four members and a Tibetan mastiff named Druk successfully traversed the length of the Himalayas from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to the Karakaoram pass near K2 in the north-west. They had traversed by foot and ski almost 8,000 km. It had been 14 months in the making of an adventure that never been attempted before. It was conceived and led by Harish Kohli.

Harish Kohli returns, this time to cross the Himalayas on skis in the thick of winter. 'Across the frozen Himalaya' is the story of this daring adventure. When Harish Kohli and his team of seven members reached the summit of the Karakoram pass, their start point, they had been on the move for twelve gruelling hours. As they turned to begin the treacherous descent, the light breeze turned into a storm and then into a blizzard, plummeting the temperature to minus 48 degrees Celsius. Later that night when they reached their base, after twenty-six horrifying hours, two of the members were frost-bitten, one of them losing seven of his fingers. But for the Ski Himalaya team, it was only the beginning of their adventure, which became one of the most momentous journeys in mountaineering history.

'Across the frozen Himalaya' is a saga of human endeavour and endurance. In this movingly written book, Kohli describes an experience of such bone-chilling horror as to persuade even the most fanatical alpinists to seek sanctuary at sea level. It is arguably the best adventure book written in the last decade. Kohli writes an eloquent record of the personalities and circumstances as they pass through difficult and happy times mixing horror and humour in equal measure. Kohli's grip on your emotions will leave you gasping for breath.

This is not a photography book. It's more for mountaineering buffs. But, his photos are included in this book.

some of the stories here are in shorter form in his other books, but the full accounts are in this book as well as new ones. most of the pictures in the book aren't in his other books, which makes it worthwhile in itself. unlike his more recent work, this is more like his older work with climbing and skiing stories. sad that these are among Galen's final writings.

This is an amazing book. Some of the best color I've ever seen in one of Galen Rowell's books and with the new essays and new photographs, I'm really glad I bought it even though I already have the original book that came out in the 70's. This is basically a completely new book! Hats' off to the publisher!