Bhutan: Himalayan Mountain Kingdom

Odyssey Guides

by Françoise Pommaret-Imaeda

An up-to-date, in-depth introduction to Bhutanese history, culture and ecology, with a comprehensive itinerary ranging from the major cities to the most remote monasteries. Special sections on selected topics, literary excerpts, and gorgeous photographs make this an essential guide to this remote, pristine mountain kingdom. Shoe-horned into the Grand Himalayas, Bhutan—Land of the Peaceful Thunder Dragon—is a fiercely independent kingdom that celebrated its centenary in 2008. Isolated, charming, peaceful, and religious, the Bhutanese are a pragmatic, sensitive people who take from the West what will benefit their country and leave the rest. The countryside is pristine, the lifestyle and culture have been preserved for centuries, and the love of life is abundant among the people. Few outsiders know Bhutan as intimately as Françoise Pommaret.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

328 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 1991

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Lafcadio Hearn’s multi travelogues in Japan, remove all of his superfluous adjectives and descriptive meanderings, and change the locale to Bhutan and you have a good idea of this book’s style. But add history and cultural details to round out the introduction the the culture and people and you have a much more complete insight to the country. Given the author’s special relationship with the Bhutanese government and people, I venture that this is the book to read on the topic, and to leverage the exhaustive bibliography for further study.

[Hertog · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a guide book, a great introduction to the country. Too bad it suffers from bad editing, even it’s latest release (2018)

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a guidebook, yes, but it's primarily an explication of culture and history. It does not follow a traveler's guide format in that it says where to eat, and find footpaths, but instead emphasizes the Bhutan-ness of Bhutan. A must read before departure for your own trip to this country, and the bibliography in the back is incredibly up to date.

[Stephanie Guyer-Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as whimsical and engaging as Françoise is herself. Utterly authoritative guide to Bhutan, not particularly a guidebook per se as much as an introduction to a country by someone who lives and cares passionately about this particular spot on the map.

[Nancy Chantraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information about Bhutan. Good info on history and the culture. Perhaps too many names of historic figures, at least too many for the casual reader to keep track of.

A good book for its genre.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to get there!