Nepal Books

This was a good book, very simple to read, but the story was intense the whole time.

I live in a well developed suburb in northern Texas with my family. I awake and sleep with the sound of laughing children playing a game of tag or basketball outside my window. I work and make well over enough to pay for my bills with extra spending for my material wants. I gossip and laugh with my mother and sisters every morning and night, and end the day knowing i will see them tomorrow. Yet i protest about my room being too small, my closet too barren, criticize my childhood being too cruel, my friends too superficial. All my complaints didn't occur to be so inconsequential until i read 'Sold'
I have wasted valuable time and breath on myself when we have half a million Nepal girls being sold my their families into Indian brothels. No longer will they sleep in their own clean bed, enjoy a game of tag or a laugh with their sister. Most likely they will never laugh again. If self-centered Americans can open their eyes to the world as i have, then what a better place the world would be. I recommend 'Sold' to any and everyone!

African hill girl sold into prostatution. Sold was a book about this same 13 year old girl. She was innoccent and all that she wanted to do was earn her family a little extra money when without warning she was swept into the shameful life of of a prostatute. I thought that this book was okay. It had a great plot line but was a bit dull in the middle and kind of ended abruptly. I would reccommend this book to any girl interested in a quick easy read. Although it was a little boring, I think that this was a good book over all.
Kari Longstaff

My son bought this book for a College Course at Purdue Calumet. The day it came I started reading it, It was a very good read,very heartbreaking that a child lived this way. It took me one night to complete, I had such a hard time trying to put it down. My son had a hard time getting into the whole story, until I told him to look at this girl as if she were a relative or friend. That's when it captured his 18 year old heart. It makes you think about what a Cruel world we live in. This book will break your heart, especially if your a mother.

Sold, by Patricia McCormick, is a riveting tale of a thirteen-year-old, Nepalese girl who is sold into prostitution. It is historical fiction and incorporates many details of the constant trade of women and girls worldwide that is still occurring today.
McCormick herself traveled to India and Nepal to trace the steps that the main character in her novel would take, and was even able to interview women in Calcutta's red-light district who shared their heart-wrenching stories with her. McCormick took away from this experience the idea that these stories needed to be shared because these innocent women and girls were being forced into horrendous situations that they had no control whatsoever over. McCormick lent a voice to these women who had never been able to speak up for themselves, and in the process educated the world on the issue of sex slavery.
While a few of the main themes in this novel are fear, loneliness, and cruelty, McCormick also made a point to highlight the main character's immense hope and perseverance, and the strength and self-discovery that came along with that. Even in the face of ultimate defeat, the main character says, "I will be with them all. Any man, every man... I will do whatever it takes to get out of here." (227) McCormick presented her as an innocent bystander who must find a way to deal with a new, harrowing life and this was incredibly moving. It also helped that the book was extremely well-written.
Therefore, I would definitely recommend this book. The writing style was poetic and never overwhelming, and McCormick crafted an extremely complex and likable character. This book is especially good for teenagers to read because it makes us appreciate what we have and the things that we take for granted every single day. Another reader also commented that "this book will also show you things that are so painful that most of the world likes to pretend that they don't exist" and I also completely agree with that statement.
Overall, Sold was an extremely good, yet harrowing book that opened my eyes to the hardships that other girls my age are facing around the world.

A very colorful look at Mt. Everest from the Imax Everest expedition. Much better than the Imax movie itself, compelling images interspersed with informative commentary and history from a number of writers.

Compared to Everest: Summit of Achievement this is a lightweight introduction. Yes, you will want to own this and read it more than once. Yes, it's better than the Imax Everest movie (not saying much). Unfortunately this book shares some of the superficial qualities the Imax movie had. The editors would have done well to drive their razor-sharp crampons a bit more forcefully into their subject matter, if you catch my drift...

This is another awesome book to show Mount Everest. If you like nice pictures of mountains(especially Mount Everest), this is the best.

As a former climber, I've always been fascinated by Everest. This is a wonderfully written and beautifully photographed account of the ill-fated assault on Everest that took a number of lives.
Especially sad, since as I was reading it yesterday, we got word of the death of Sir Edmund Hillary.

A stunning photo-journal of Everest, focusing on the tragic/heroic month of May 1996. Excellent narrative accompanied by fantastic photographs.

I bought this book for the photography alone: this is as close as I am ever likely to get to the Himalayas.

The photographs are spectacular, and I can see why so many people are challenged to want to make the journey to Base Camp if not further. Appearances can be deceptive: beautiful colour photographs portray a seemingly benevolent picture of Everest which is quite at odds with reality.

Recommended for those with an interest in the Himalayas as well as to those who admire beautiful photography.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I stumbled upon this novel by chance, but it was well worth the read. I was hooked by the characters from the very beginning. It felt as though I was right alongside Beth and Dorje in their struggle to overcome cultural and emotional roadblocks in their lives. LeBlanc provided so many beautiful and descriptive images of a place that became very real to me, although I have never been to Nepal.

What a wonderful love story this book is. Not just a story of love between humans, but love for a region and love for a culture. The reader comes away with an understanding of the beautiful Sherpa people and a personal glimpse into their world. As I head to Nepal shortly, I do so with a better idea of the unique setting - a setting that provided such a magnificent backdrop to this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I love reading all kinds of books about Mount Everest. I read "Into Thin Air" and that immediately got me "hooked". However, this book really emphasized the importance of the sherpas and the difficult job they have to do in order that the climbers might achieve their dream. It is a beautiful love story.

This fictional story about the Sherpas of the Mt. Everest region of Nepal is highly entertaining and informative. I am planning a trek to Everest base camp and this book provided invaluable insight into my future experience. I have become very interested in the Sherpa culture, food, religion, etc. since reading this book. (Prayer flags fly from my balcony now). Linda does a good job telling about the Everest experience from the Sherpas point of view rather than the climber's. There are many books written about the climber's experiences but few about the Sherpa experience. The Sherpa have been gaining support from many who have visited their country. The love affair between a Sherpa and an American writer is thoughtfully threaded though the Everest and Sherpa fabric so that it is not overbearing. I enjoyed having a glossary of terms in the back. A must read for climbers and trekkers and all who love outdoor adventure.

There are many adventure/love stories but few that cover a world that is so remote and different from ours in the west. I could "see" the mountains, "hear" the yaks, "feel" the cold, and "long" for a love so deep.The story carries to you to the land of Everest and the Sherpas in an interesting and fast paced adventure. Although fiction, it seems as if these characters are somehow known to the author and may in fact be real people with the names changed for privacy. I dare you top begin and put the novel down once begun.

In his book Ed takes us along on his journey to Everest. Along the way, there are lessons to be learned. Mostly about respect. Respect for other people, respect for things that are greater than you and most of all respect for the most precious gift of all... life itself!
His words and photos place you beside him as he faces, and overcomes, his fears .

A superb narrative interspersed with excellent photography.

This is not a book for mountaineers alone, but relays a vivid and descriptive tale of the experiences of life when following a chosen, committed path.

The narrative conveys a real sense of tension and emotion which draws the reader into the story.

Strongly recommend.

What a great book! Ed Webster is a gifted writer with an engaging and powerful story. He is also a gifted photographer who includes fascinating photos of his expeditions and some never published photos from other sources. The foreward and introductions by John Hunt and Tom Hornbein are excellent. The story is uplifting and makes you marvel at the courage and tenacity of humans. I highly recommend this book.

I met Ed Webster on a field trip with my daughter's grade 5 class to DeLorme Map in Yarmouth, ME, home of Eartha, the world's largest rotating globe. He held the class spellbound, especially when he told us of Everest. I bought a copy of SNOW IN THE KINGDOM, and read it into the wee hours, which is saying a lot since I'm not ordinarily a night owl. It was so exciting, I could hardly put it down! But much more than the excitement, I especially appreciated Ed's sensitivity and respect toward peoples of other cultures, keen insight into human nature, and careful explanation of what life is like in the Himalayan regions. Months later, I saw an Omni theater presentation entitled EVEREST at the Boston Museum of Science. I could appreciate it so much more by knowing the names of the people and places from Ed's book. Ed Webster has created a legacy in laboring over a decade on his fine book, for it will enrich the understanding of generations of people. Allow yourself the privilege of being one of them (and visit Ed in person at DeLorme Map in Maine if you get the chance)!

Here's the perfect weekend: a great book, a great subject and the company of great men and women...
Put this on your short list of essential adventure classics: fine writing, wonderful photography (and more of than you'd ever thought possible on a climb of this sort), profound emotion and the ultimate challenge...
I loved this book!
Thank God he survived to tell the tale...

I'm still working my way through this book - which might take some time, considering its size! So far, most of what I've tried has been pretty good. You have to use some of your own common sense and general cooking knowledge. (And yes -- ok, it keeps calling for jimbu, which you just can't get in the U.S. and really has no substitute.) But I'm thrilled to have a Nepalese cookbook that has many, many more that three ways to cook dal! It's very user-friendly -- pretty straightforward and easy to read. And I have to agree that it's a great reference book. I don't think there's anything else in print that comes close (even the cookbooks I got in Nepal don't compare.) Overall, it's definitely worth having in your library, and it's a great read.

I am a first generation Nepali-American who grew up eating Nepali food in upstate New York. I received this book as a gift in May 2007. Now I am in college and started cooking on my own. I tried several recipes from this book, which has made me an expert in Nepali cuisine. The book offers practical instruction, very helpful glossary, Nepali-English name for every recipe and serving suggestions. I highly recommend this book to any one who wants to learn about Nepali food, culture and traditions. This book is a wonderful resource, as well as a wonderful gift.

Outstanding Rich and Unique Culinary Heritage of Nepal: For the first time,a Nepali Cookbook has won award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards as a "BestForeign Cusine Book-2008". This book was also recognisedat the award ceremony (April13, 2008 at the Olimpia theatre in London) by giving the book "Special Award of the Jury". Congratulations to the author for making this book a bridge to the rest of the world. I hope winning the international award will help bring Nepali culinary and heritage and culture in the world market.

After a year of using " Taste of Nepal Cookbook", I am impressed with the thoroughness of the purpose and enjoyed trying out the mostdelicious and healthful dishes of Nepal. As a person of Nepali origin,and have lived in the USAfor over forty years, many facets of Nepali cooking had slowly evolved fom my memories. The vegetable chapter of the book reminded me of so many varitiesof vegetables available in Nepal. I have seen these in in various Asian sores in the USA, but had faint memories of how it is cooked. Fiddlehead Ferns (neuro), Taro Leaves (karkalo, gaaba), Pumpkin Vine Shoots (farsiko munta), Luffa Gourd(gheeraula) werecooked occasionslly when I was growing up Nepal. I found some of the vegetables at the produce markets, but was not brave enough to bring it home as I lackedthe process of cooking method. Books like this will allow me to refer and will help me bring back my nostalgia. Even thoughI am moving away from fish and meat intake, I find it refreshingto see the comprehensive authentic recipes of my childhood favorites.

Pictures of the finished product would have been excellent addition to the book. Thatprobablywill requiremore expense, advance photo shoots, food styling, outlays and other process.However I will suggest her to do so in future, if possible. I shall also recommend the auther to show caloric value of each dish which I firmly believe is not high as compared to many foods available in the market. I really enjoyed beautiful black and white drawing (pencil sketches) in the book. I highly recommend this book to all health consern consumers. All recipees in this book is very healthy and healing (due to unique seasoning).

Reviewed by Amar Giri, Ph.D. Food Science.

This is the most comprehensive English-language Nepali cookbook available. It contains almost 500 pages and 300 recipes. If you want to know how to make a particular dish, the recipe will most likely be in this book. I am incredibly happy this book was published because I no longer have to bother my mom for her recipes. Most recipes also have a brief, but helpful commentary.

For those unfamiliar with Nepali cooking, there is also an ingredients/equipment section and a brief glossary.

Allowing for variations in cooking styles and tastes between individuals, I do have serious issues with the quantities listed in the recipes. Having made about a dozen dishes from this book, I am convinced that many of the recipes were not tested. I am an experienced cook and grew up on this food, so I was able to make the necessary adjustments. For instance, a dal recipe requires twice as much water as listed; some dishes are woefully undersalted; the maalpuwa requires more enrichment from milk and clarified butter, and the sel completely falls apart in the oil if the batter is made to the consistency of "heavy cream" as directed. Someone unfamiliar with the cuisine might require a few tries to get it right, or might end up with the wrong impression of how the dish is supposed to be.

Nepali cuisine is almost exclusively home cooking, and even the mistakes in the recipes exemplify this notion. The only measuring devices used are the eyes and the hands, and perhaps that is why some of the quantified amounts seem to be off. Still, I have to take off a star for this, as well for the lack of photos.

In the end, I still highly recommend this book, both to Nepalis and others interested in this cuisine. I am confident that you will find pleasure in one of the least known and healthiest cuisines in the world.

A must nepali cook book for any kind of nepali food. I am now able to cook all those nepali foods that I would have never been able to. It's a magnificent piece of cookbook for all.

Compiled from the diaries of Michael Palin's extraordinary journey, and read by the author, Himalaya is the unabridged audiobook chronicle of Palin's personal determination to climb the full length of the Himalaya including the Khyber Pass, the valleys of the Hindu Kush, the ancient cities Peshawar and Lahore, and the peaks including K2, Annapurna and Everest. Altitudes as high as 17,500 feet, some of the world's deepest gorges, and the background threat of strife in political hotspots such as terrorism-plagued Kashmir were among the many hardships and risks Palin confronted in his expedition. His story tells of natural wonders and daily life, civilizations in the shadow of a global landmark, joy and suffering in a casual, easygoing manner that will nonetheless enthrall the listener. A captivating experience, and "must-read" for anyone planning to climb dangerous or potentially fatal peaks, Himalaya is surely the next best thing to personally being there. Consisting of 9 CDs with a total running time of 11 hours 32 min, Himalayan is especially recommended for library collections.

this is a beautiful book that provides background information and MORE for Palin's Himalaya TV series (also wonderful) :)
I usually buy used, but couldn't wait for this book (or the DVDs of the series).

This book accompanying the TV series DVD is a beautiful account which I enjoyed thoroughly.

The author's journey along the crest of the Himalaya, eastward starting from Khyber Pass on the Afghan-Pak border, through India and Nepal, into the Tibetan plateau, then onto India's Northeast Frontier and finally down into the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh definitely calls for a look at this interesting part of the globe.

The book is embellished with amazing photographs which capture not only the grand landscape but also the life and spirit of the land. Palin and his team have done well in connecting with the people, which to me was one of the highlights of the book.

And if you like a sprinkling of British humour, Michael Palin will surely add more than a smile to your countenance.

This book is amazing and is part of the reason I will be travelling to some of the places he visits in this book. Well written, with pictures to die for. He is a master story teller and really urges you to strap on your backpack and go. Thank you for another fantastic journey Mr Palin and co.

"Himalaya" is a book written by Michael Palin as an alternative account of a trip that was filmed and first shown as a TV program on BBC TV. (This program has also been shown on many other TV stations, and is now available on DVD.) In addition to the text in the book there are many beautiful pictures by Basil Pao, the stills photographer who accompanied the BBC team on the trip.

This was a very interesting trip in beautiful and exciting places. Many countries around the Himalayan Mountains were visited, some of them well off the tourist track and some of them with security problems such that the team needed armed guards. Specifically, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Nagaland, Assam, Bhutan and Bangladesh were visited. A total of 3000 miles was traveled during 125 days (6 months), and many beautiful and exciting images, encounters and interviews resulted.

High points (ha, ha) of the trip include several treks on foot up into the mountains, visiting the Dalai Lama, milking a yak, talking to a retired headhunter, buying booze in Pakistan, having an almost-encounter with Maoists in Nepal, watching bull racing and no-rules polo, and giving an elephant a rub-down. There are also many interesting encounters and interviews with local people who are special in one way or another.

In my review of the DVD version of "Himalaya" I complained that the program wasn't really about Michael Palin's trip, as such, but was simply a string of encounters and events that made "good TV". The program ignored the travel aspect almost completely, and jumped from place to place in search of the images and people that the TV viewers would find exciting.

The book version of "Himalaya" is a more complete account of the trip, including a lot of material that was skipped in the TV program, and some experiences not even included in the extra material on the DVDs.

But still, the book account of the trip is not really a day-by-day account of the trip either. For example, I'd like to know what happened on "day 6" and "day 11", etc. These days are simply not mentioned in the book.

One nice thing about the book, as compared to the TV program on DVD, is that Michael Palin's personal opinions are more evident, as is his enjoyment of traveling and experiencing new people and places. There is more of a "personal touch" to the book, and his wit and charm make it very readable and enjoyable. Michael also writes candidly about the health problems he experienced and the reservations he had about travel in the places where there were security problems. All of which makes the book better than the DVD version in my opinion.

Finally, a note about the audio versions of this book. There are both abridged (6 hour) and unabridged (11 1/2 hour) versions in existence, and some resellers are selling the abridged version as unabridged, so beware. Michael Palin himself reads both versions, and he does a great job.

Highly recommended.

Rennie Petersen

We usually cautiously enter a memoir/autobiography work such as this. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find a decent writing style, excitingly detailed stories, and a sharing of intimate knowledge.

The many epics in Jim Whittaker's life were outlined with sufficient detail to describe the epic, but not so much that it forced us to skip the remainder. I suspect that few secrets were not revealed about the Whittaker family.

There were numerous color and black and white photos in the hardcover edition to help support the memoir, with a focus on the epic adventures and less on early family life.

We give this work a rare five stars.

Jim Whittaker began his life with only one real difference from most of us and that is that he had an identical twin. However from almost the day of his birth onward, his life accelerated beyond what is normal for most of us.
Mr. Whittaker enjoyed some luck in his life, particularly his ability to meet and mingle with some very powerful, influential and skilled individuals. He also enjoyed the benefit of his own hard work - from his days at REI to his climb on Everest and his efforts to put Americans on top of K2. He also had his share of bad luck, a divorce and a bankruptcy. This makes this story so much more entertaining because it is real, it is personal, it is something that could have happened to almost anyone with the drive and love of the mountains that Mr. Whittaker possessed.
The accounts of his alpine adventures, whether on Mt. Rainier or Mt. Everest or K2, are gripping, well written and harsh reminders of why mountaineering is not a sport for the faint of heart. Jim lost many of his close friends through out his life and the mountains claimed many of them. Despite any set back however, he pushed onward. This drive doesn't appear to be the result of a lust for glory or wealth but simply an extension of the man himself. In my opinion, his greatest successes are not the mountains he climbed but the peace and love of nature, family, and the mountains that he has helped others find.
This book is well written and easy to read and the pictures included are breathtaking (I wish there were more!). Reading this text will almost assuredly add a name to your list of personal heroes.

An incredible book. Not because of his achievments (which are very impressive), but because he shares his wisdom regarding life. This comes from a man who's seen it all, and has seen life's ups and downs. Highly recommended.

One of the truly great climbing books! The work describes this American Hero's life philosophy of learning and truly living. It describes how to take on an acceptable amount of risk and gain from the experience. I found valuable Jim's philosophy (who I met and idolized as a kid) translated into a world well beyond the mountain - into his political friendship with the Kennedy's, his professional life at REI and Magellan GPS; as well as his efforts to foster nothing short of world peace. I kept finding myself wondering if there was anything Jim had not taken on!

The writing is considerably less melodramatic than a great number of climbing/travel logs, which is refreshing. Straightforward and clear, even when discussing the inevitable loss of life involved in mountaineering.

A memorable quote follows: "It's about making the most of every moment, about stretching your own boundaries, about being willing to learn constantly, and putting your self in situations where learning is possible - sometimes even critical to your survival. Being out on the edge, with every-thing at risk, is where you learn-and grow-the most.

I'm a 20 year old guy about to graduate from college, and have thus been thinking a lot about the future and how I want to live my life.. I just finished reading the book and wrote in my journal about it, which will sum up how I feel about it pretty well:

Wow... I just finished reading a really good book, a book that has brought together and solidified a lot of the things I've been thinking about the past few weeks. The name of the book was "Life on the Edge" by Jim Whittaker, the first american to reach the summit of Everest. When Chris and I went to the bookstore for our weekly visit, I was looking for an true-life adventure book, but I also wanted something that had a sense of "living" to it as well. I read "Into Thin Air" and it was like a drama novel, seeming almost like fiction. "Life on the Edge" hits much closer to home, describing the realities of a life well lived.

Visitors to Nepal are frequently young trekkers. A Balcony in Nepal gives us a heartwarming, compassionate view of village and homelife through the eyes of two older women. They describe the unique beauty of the mountains and the people with whom they have interacted in repeated visits to the village of Badel in words and sketches that will remain with you. It is a very touching personal account that goes far beyond most travel books.

There's more to Nepal than climbing, trekking or the teeming streets of Kathmandu. Through thoughtful writing and lively drawings, Sally Olds and Marge Roche invite us to share their involvement in the life of a remote Rai village. We learn about joyous festivals, meet fascinating people and become part of the struggle to live daily life without the amenities we consider necessary. The freindships they make stir our imagination. And by recording their thoughts and reactions to what they've seen, they raise interesting questions on the effect tourists are having on the village and Nepal itself.

The author, Sally Wendkos Olds, has brought experience and talent to use in telling of her experiences in a remote village. Marge Roche's illustrations enhance the story and stand alone as beautiful works. I highly recommend this book to any who would like to experience a very different way of life. Beautiful book!

Sally Olds and Marge Roche in A Balcony in Nepal conjure a small Nepali Rai village with the magic of an open heart and appreciative senses. The warm people for whom a library is planned and built are drawn by Marge and brought to life by Sally. Both travellers are welcomed into the daily lives of the families in Badel and both travellers bring the Nepalese people into our daily lives. We read about this trek into Sally's expanded consciousness with relish and respect, and come to love the simple village people and admire their hard lives.

For any Westerner traveling to Nepal, this is a must read. Ms. Olds has the usual beautiful travelogue descriptions, but she adds the critical insights that can only come from repeated visits to this unusual country. The illustrations by Ms. Roche of the country and the Badel villagers add another layer of beauty for readers of this wonderful book. Be sure to buy this book and read it on the long plane ride over. And if you are not lucky enough to make the trip, read the book and you'll feel like you did.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to the Everest region. Loved the book, only wish I could get a hard cover version.

Some years ago, I travelled through Nepal, but didn't take as many splendid photos as Tim Hauf, the author of Solu-Khumbu: The Trek to Everest. His book brings all my own travel experiences back most vividly, as well as simultaneously taking my breath away. The author's diary notes bring the physical hardships of travelling in those remote areas precisely up front and personal (to say the least regarding "GI" interruptions!). It was a treat to view his photos, as they made me feel I was walking right along side of the author, seeing and feeling with all my senses all that those haunting and mesmerizing mountains and Nepal's friendly people offer to the Western trekker. I'm too old, now, to attempt that kind of travel, but I open this book and lo and behold, I'm "on the road, again."

Kudos to Tim Hauf, and a heartfelt "thanks for the memories".

The author has captured, perfectly, the land and people of eastern Nepal. This is a photo journal one can read over and over with great pleasure.

My husband and I made the trek to Everest three years in a row and like another reviewer said, Tim took the pictures we wish we'd taken. We started out treks in Lukla and the pictures made us wish we had started in Jiri. The text is excellent, but the photos are incredible. They show just what the trek is like and we've gone thru the book several times since we received it, reliving the three most memorable vacations of our long lives. I would recommend this book to anyone who has made the trek and to anyone who would like to!

This is a personal tale of the approach to Mount Everest rather than the often told climb of Everest. In this the author gives the reader a feeling of the Himalayan people, the livestyles of those generous and courageous helpers to the trekker. By sharing his own story of trekking alongside his gorgeous photos, Tim gives the reader a personal excursion without the toil. The reader celebrates the end of those 29 days of trekking as a heroic act that he also has just completed. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and I am not a trekker!

Stephen Bezruchka has prepared a valuable and complete guide to trekking in the Nepal / Everest region. The book offers practical advise from years of personal experience for anyone thinking about a trip to the area. Bezruchka also creates a much needed ecological awareness and offers substantial insight into the culture of Nepal. The book is much more than a travel guide and just plain interesting. I don't often give books five stars, but this work was beyond my highest expectations - a labor of love. Highly recommended!

This is the book that first opened my eyes to Nepal and its culture. It's much more than a guidebook: it has a sensitivity and compassion for its subject that is almost unique in the field of travel writing. It doesn't coddle you with if-it's-day-three-this-must-be-Namche route descriptions, but lets you find your own adventure and gain profound insights along the way. It also has an extensive medical section.

This is the most fantastic travel guide I've ever used and the only one you will need in Nepal. Bezruchka's love and respect for the Nepali people is evident in every line and will enhance your journey to Nepal as well. We followed his advice and had a much richer experience for it. We watched other tourists who didn't follow his advice being laughed at and ignored. The language book and tape that you can order were incredibly helpful, way better than any dictionary. We were able to converse competently which made a huge difference in our experience. Don't bother with the Lonely Planet guide, which just tells you how to get through the country as cheaply as possible. There is so much more to experiencing Nepal than saving a buck here and buck there.

While the completeness of Bezruchka's guide cannot be faulted the tone and style certainly don't compare to Jamie McGuinness's book on the same topic. In comparison this book was quite a chore to read especially since it is peppered with sermons on globalization. An extremely capable guide but there are good alternatives you may find more enjoyable.

Fifteen years ago I started my trekking company's operation in Nepal with information from this book! The trek descriptions and the information on organizing a trek offer all the nuts and bolts. The background information is fascinating as are Dr. Bezruchka's views on poverty and culture shock.