Himalaya: The Exploration and Conquest of the Greatest Mountains on Earth

Description

At some 1500 miles long and 250 miles at its widest, the Himalaya range is home to the fourteen greatest mountain peaks on the planet each of which towers over 8,000 metres. Celebrated by the region's early ancient kingdoms, many of these peaks remain sacred in both the Hindu and Buddhist religions and have additionally inspired western explorers and adventurers for some 300 years. Himalaya examines the geographical origins of the region, its earliest peoples and the onward western discovery and exploration commencing with the Jesuits, progressing through myriad nineteenth century gentlemen surveyors, culminating in Edmund Hilary and Tensing Norgay's ascent of Everest in 1953 and continuing to the present day with extreme mountaineers and adventure tourists. However the book does not solely deal with the attempts to summit the majestic Everest. Its broader brief, and chronological structure, allows the inclusion of narrative and journal extracts from the equally heroic pioneering ascents of Himalayan peaks including K2 (1954), Nanga Parbat (1953), Annapurna (1950), Kangchenjunga (1955), and Lhotse (1956) as well as subsequent new frontiers, peaks, routes and mountaineering techniques. The volume includes specially commissioned pieces where legendary climbers reflect on their intrepid experiences and heroism on the highest mountains on earth. These accounts are set beside stunning commissioned cartography, historical photographs, newly shot stills of ephemera and artifacts as well as the most recent Himalayan work from some of the world's leading adventure photographers. Review: Not just for Mountaineers! - The reader should pause to consider this book's full title which goes far beyond that single headline word `Himalaya' and goes on to say "The Exploration and Conquest of the Greatest Mountains on Earth." To further whet the appetite, the back cover of this stunning work lists no fewer than 25 names from whom personal accounts are drawn which read like a veritable `Who's Who' from mountaineering history. Having said all that, this book is not just for those who seek to climb the world's greatest mountains. Certainly not! Instead we have a complete exposé of the entire Himalaya region and the way in which explorers brought this reclusive area to the attention of the world. In so doing, we learn of incredible landscapes, formidable buildings, ancient cultures and unforgiving climates The Himalayas is a landscape into which man has ventured since forever. Home to a scenery which comparatively few actually get to see - when compared with those who long for the experience, it is like nowhere else on earth and contains treasures far beyond those which may be exchanged for mere cash. Superbly edited by Philip Parker and with a foreword from Peter Hillary, these two stalwarts are joined by another eight notable contributors and combine to provide nine, mostly self-explanatory, chapters as follows: (1) Anatomy of the Himalaya, (2) Early Kingdoms of the Himalayas, (3) Early Travellers & Adventurers, (4) Surveying the Himalaya 1815-1892, (5) The Opening Phase 1891-1918, (6) Himalaya between the Wars 1919-1939, (7) The Conquest of Everest 1940-1953, (8) The Golden Age 1953-1960 and (9) Opening New Frontiers 1961- to the Present. These are followed by Further Reading, Picture Acknowledgements and that all-important Index. This richly illustrated work seeks to tell the complete story of the region - not just that single mountain which is allowed to dominate so many other works on the subject. In pursuit of that objective, this product far exceeds whatever expectations may have originally existed and I cannot give a recommendation which is too high. This is a book which tells the complete story of a region (it being more than one country) and its people through time - as discovered, explored, studied and loved by visitors from lands far beyond the understanding of the local inhabitants at the time. In telling this story of such a wondrous, wild, dangerous, cold and yet beautiful place, we are momentarily interrupted with snapshots of fascinating detail - such as the half-page illustrated explanation of Tingmosgang Palace-Fort and an equally illuminating item on the opposite page headed; "Empires and Kingdoms: Mongols, Mughals and Ladakhis. Only now do I know the difference between Mongols and Mughals - but I digress. I was also particularly interested to learn of Peter Hillary - son of the great Sir Edmund Hillary. I was previously unaware of the many achievements of this famous man's son - which only serve to underline his rightful place in this work amongst so many other legendary figures. Of all the books about outstanding places I have ever read, many are worthy of 5 Stars and glowing reviews, but few manage to convey the very mood and climate in such a profound manner as is found here. There really are times when the reader will shiver at the cold temperatures, times when they will share the sorrow and desperation - even of years ago, and times when they will feel as if they were alongside those who have just conquered the summit in question. In short, this is as complete a work on the subject as is possible to achieve and I defy anyone to be disappointed with the content. NM Review: Well produced reference book. - Well produced book of reference. Happy with my purchase