Himalaya: Personal Stories of Grandeur, Challenge, and Hope

by Richard C. Blum, Erica Stone, Broughton Coburn

Both a magnificent celebration and a call for compassion, Himalaya is a panorama of the unique history and uncertain future of the world's highest region and its colorful inhabitants. The awesome beauty of these lofty peaks, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Annapurna, is brought to life by gifted photographers like Steve McCurry, Art Wolfe, and many more, while such notable contributors as Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and over two dozen others share vivid personal tales of Himalayan life, recount their efforts to encourage hope and opportunity, and emphasize the urgent need to preserve the vibrant variety of these ancient landscapes and cultures as they face the mixed blessings of the modern world.

The book begins by introducing the region: its astonishing biodiversity, its mountaineering history, its rich ethnic heritage, and the interplay between two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. Himalaya addresses challenges to these mountainous domains: political turmoil, population growth, touristic demands, and ecological stresses. Finally, a compelling conclusion comes in the stories of doctors, conservationists, environmentalists, and volunteers of every kind, whose efforts provide a global model for practical results and lasting relief, still respecting, honoring, and protecting the magic of a place unlike any other on Earth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2006

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a large format coffee table book, intended more for flicking through than reading. The pictures are gorgeous, yet often lack a certain amount of context.

The essays are even less successful. The text is not in columns, but set out in long lines that become difficult to read.

This book is published by the American Himalaya Foundation, and many of the essays read as infomercials for the foundation. They are doing such good work, the reader is repeatedly told. This reader found it tiresome and a bit self congratulatory.

Those pictures though. So pretty, with all the grittier details tucked away, almost hidden, in those long unmanageable lines of text.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A diverse mix of short essays by various journalists, mountaineers, diplomats, humanitarians, and individuals interested and active (both local and from abroad) in the Himalaya region. As can be expected, the essays have a wide range of appeal and readability. The real star of the book, however, are the many gorgeous photographs of people and places, and you wouldn't expect less from a National Geographic project. I would have liked a bit more travel literature, focusing on more of the hidden places. Maybe a tad bit more humor, though there was a seriousness to the tome, as they criticize particularly Chinese abuses and the loss of independence. Especially hard to read about is the terrible treatment and experiences of children and women.