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210th out of 780 books
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1,335 voters
Himalaya
Michael Palin's travel books have repeatedly topped the bestseller lists. In this book he is back at his adventurous best tie-ing in with a major BBC TV series. The book/series will travel through many countries little known to the West, providing opportunities for Palinesque adventures to please the large and loyal audience who followed 80 Days, Pole to Pole and Full Circ...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
June 17th 2005
by Thomas Dunne Books
(first published June 2nd 2005)
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I listened to this book on tape, but I think that it would have worked better as an actual book. I could have used some photographs and a map to break it up a bit. It started really slow, but I enjoyed it by the end. Although it was published in 2005, the commentary hasn't aged well. He refers to "the end of (this) Iraq war" several times. Oops!
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Another classic Palin adventure. Here he spends four months travelling along the Himalaya (though ending with a trip through Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal). In one sense the journey is a bit of a cheat, in that it isn't a continuous trip but a series of trips, but with such formidable geography, the team can be forgiven that.
As always, the writing is excellent, and the geography is inspiring, and ably captured by the photographer Basil Pao. He talks to and touches on the life of the many varie...more
As always, the writing is excellent, and the geography is inspiring, and ably captured by the photographer Basil Pao. He talks to and touches on the life of the many varie...more
Michael Palin's amazing journey across the whole length of the Himalayas, beginning in Pakistan and ending in what was once known as East Pakistan, and covering on the way India, Nepal, Tibet, a small part of China, and Bhutan. What really comes through is the range of perspectives the author gains and shares with us through the journey itself, but more importantly, through the people he meets.
Isolated tribes beyond Peshawar who would seem to be living in a different era altogether, the dangerou...more
Isolated tribes beyond Peshawar who would seem to be living in a different era altogether, the dangerou...more
Jan 16, 2011
Sam
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
armchair travellers
Recommended to Sam by:
read other books in the series
Everyone knows by now that I really enjoy Michael Palin’s travel diaries of his TV series (even though I have read more of the books rather than watch the series). Himalaya has spent some time on the bestseller list and it’s easy to see why. Palin and crew cover areas that the average person would be unlikely to visit and give you a warts and all experience, including what it feels like to have altitude sickness and meet the Dalai Lama.
I haven’t seen the TV series of this one, but I bet it’s maj...more
I haven’t seen the TV series of this one, but I bet it’s maj...more
Michael Palin takes us on a journey across the length of the Himalayas like never taken before.The account made about the journey takes you from your chair right into the heart of the Himalayas. Apart from the serene and sublime beauty of the Himalayas the journey takes a deep insight into the lifestyle,culture and religion of the mountain people who spend their life in such harsh condition with just basic utilitarian commodities and still are such bonhomie..!!!...Their austere and persevere way...more
This is the kind of book that you feel bad about finishing. Michael Palin takes you on a wonderful journey through the lands that owe a lot to the mighty Himalayas.
The book written as the pages of Michael's diaries is a detailed yet fun narrative of the life in this region.
It is a tale simply told with wit, humor and sensitivity.
As I devoured the book, I felt like I was walking through the North-west frontier province, shivering in a tent on the snow capped mountains, wolfing down exotic meals...more
Michael Palin's energy and enthusiasm amazes me, and comes through as well in his writing as it does on the screen. I am not sure I would want to go through some of the privations he did to visit these places, but I do find a vicarious enjoyment by experiencing it through him. What comes through is the fact that the people he visited seem to enjoy their lives, cultures and families despite the hard environment they live in. A good lesson in the fact that having a lot does not necessarily mean li...more
Himalaya is a book that takes you on an armchair's journey across the length of the himalaya's.
The author's journey, takes him across the Himalayan & remote parts five countries of Pakistan,India,China,Bhutan,Nepal and Bangladesh. His journey brings across the cultural diversity of the regions which are at times cut-off from the rest of the developed or rather the developing world beyond it.
Along the journey he visits the old cities along the old trade routes, samples the local fare,passes t...more
The author's journey, takes him across the Himalayan & remote parts five countries of Pakistan,India,China,Bhutan,Nepal and Bangladesh. His journey brings across the cultural diversity of the regions which are at times cut-off from the rest of the developed or rather the developing world beyond it.
Along the journey he visits the old cities along the old trade routes, samples the local fare,passes t...more
"Buddhism is a very steep religion."
This type of trenchent observation is what makes Michael Palin's travels a genuine joy to behold.
Having gone "Around the World in 80 Days", travelled "Full Circle" and traipsed across the Sahara. Michael Palin and his indefatigable BBC crew elected to visit the high peaks of the Himalaya. Covering 1800 miles, from Afghanistan to the China, the Himalaya is the highest mountain range in the world encompassing the top 14 tallest mountains in the world and some 30...more
This type of trenchent observation is what makes Michael Palin's travels a genuine joy to behold.
Having gone "Around the World in 80 Days", travelled "Full Circle" and traipsed across the Sahara. Michael Palin and his indefatigable BBC crew elected to visit the high peaks of the Himalaya. Covering 1800 miles, from Afghanistan to the China, the Himalaya is the highest mountain range in the world encompassing the top 14 tallest mountains in the world and some 30...more
Michael Palin (of Monty Python fame) introduces the astoundingly diverse people and places along the greatest mountain range on earth, "Himalaya," in this book-companion to the BBC television production. Photos by Basil Pao lend color and form to the subjects Palin's witty and insightful narration.
Here are a few interesting facts I learned from "Himalaya":
* Himalaya is Sanskrit for "Abode of Snow."
* The Kalash in Northwest Pakistan are thought to be descendants of Alexander the Great's army.
* I...more
Here are a few interesting facts I learned from "Himalaya":
* Himalaya is Sanskrit for "Abode of Snow."
* The Kalash in Northwest Pakistan are thought to be descendants of Alexander the Great's army.
* I...more
This book was 9 CDs long, and it seemed to take a really long time to get through. Michael Palin traveled through the Himalayas to film stuff for the BBC. He wrote this travelogue, too. I think the trip was somewhere around 4 months, and I think he narrated something for almost every day of the journey. The beginning of the trip really didn't grab my attention for some reason. He started in Pakistan, and I guess I just don't have any real connection to Pakistan. I didn't think we'd make end of t...more
Himalaya is apparently based on the journals kept by Michael Palin whilst filming his tv series about traveling in the great knot of mountains that stretches from Western Afghanistan into China. Palin remarks on his impressions of the countries through which he and his companions pass, and although he is certainly charmed by the numerous mountain people he meets along the way, he's also a clear-eyed realist about hardships of their daily lives. This is a fun read with some lovely photos; nothing...more
I listened to this book on tape (unabridged, read by the author) while jogging in the SM mountains, which I pretended were the mighty Himalayas. Palin is only a fair writer but - of course - an excellent presenter. I think my review might have been less positive if I had read rather than heard this book. I particularly enjoyed the bits about the supposedly Greek hillbillies of Pakistan, claiming descent from Alexander's conquest, as well as Palin's visit to some of the weirder ethnic minorities...more
I open Himalaya, whenever I wish to see photographs of its snow capped peaks or to get inspired to plan a travel just as Mr. Palin did.
The book is more than a travelogue and provides a wonderful perspective of the regions geography, demography, culture and the vibrancy of a billion people south of its west to east expanse.
I suggest its a good idea to see the BBC documentary along with the book. It sort of completes the frame shown by Mr Palin.
The book is more than a travelogue and provides a wonderful perspective of the regions geography, demography, culture and the vibrancy of a billion people south of its west to east expanse.
I suggest its a good idea to see the BBC documentary along with the book. It sort of completes the frame shown by Mr Palin.
This time he travels at a slightly less break-neck speed thru Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, a tiny bit of China, and Bangladesh. Since these are all places I've either been to or would love to visit, this is a great window into that part of the world. which reminds me, i need to get my passport updated...
Audio book version read by the author. This is a day by day narrative of his journey through the Himalaya mountain region. Michael Palin has a voice somewhere between Judy Dench and Wallace of "Wallace & Gromit". I would have enjoyed it better if I had a map because he visits some remote areas.
Fun book, with nice pictures as Palin films around the Himalayas. Not a lot of background and a lot of silly jokes. His trip was quite superficial and revolved more around his filming schedule rather than being a meaningful memoir about amazing places.
More fun entertainment from Palin. Fabulously interesting and so much new information for me. I can't wait to learn more about this region of the world and someday visit. Khyber Pass, Tibet, Bhutan all sound intriguing. Such a different way of living.
I found this book to be kinda slow and boring. I listened to it on audiobook and found myself constantly daydreaming and the story continuously running together. There were a few interesting parts to the book, but ultimately, I was unimpressed.
Aug 30, 2011
Jay Mansfield
added it
Something of a coffee table book, I feel like I drifted through the Himalayas as Palin himself did, with behind-the-scenes people taking care of all the logistics; does he really experience anything of the places he visits to understand them in any depth at all.
Still, this is a beautifully set and bound book, and Palin's writing style is welcomingly relaxed and open-minded.
Still, this is a beautifully set and bound book, and Palin's writing style is welcomingly relaxed and open-minded.
Palin is a good writer but he gets giddy at times, not that one should not be in awe of these wonders, but it could have been a whole lot better with some wiseass skepticism
A fun and educational book about the Himalaya's and the people who live there. Good book but not as entertaining as some of Palin's earlier travel books.
Great pictures! Wonderful, humorous descriptions. Who wouldn't want to read Palin's journal? A more detailed companion to his miniseries.
Outstanding photography and text by the longtime Monty Python member and world traveller of one of the world's great places.
Aug 17, 2009
Catherine Mustread
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Catherine by:
Suible
Shelves:
non-fiction,
international
Third Palin travel book but first I've actually read -- other two I listened to on cd. This time I listened and followed along with the book, especially enjoyed the great photography. Next up is Palin's Full Circle.
Very much a Monty Python fan and I enjoyed his take on a travel book. He's a personable guy and has a good outlook.
Apr 22, 2009
Elizabeth
added it
I'm listening to this on tape and love his voice and low-key humor. Brings back scenes from Three Cups of Tea.
Good old Palin, he never disappoints. This is perhaps the best of his travel books, along with Sahara.
Very informative and takes you to a journey in the mountains, people living there and their cultures
This is excellent. Michael Palin is an amazing writer who knows how to inject unexpected humor into quite serious subjects. This book is more sensitively written than his Python material, however, and the photos are absolutely stunning.
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Michael Edward Palin, CBE, is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries.
Palin wrote most of his material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the...more
More about Michael Palin...
Palin wrote most of his material with Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as The Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the...more
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