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Himalaya

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Himalaya

By: Michael Palin
Narrated by: Michael Palin
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About this listen

 Winner of the British Book Awards, TV & Film Book of the Year, 2005.

In his most challenging journey to date, Palin tackles the Himalayas, the greatest mountain range on earth. It is a virtually unbroken wall of rock stretching 1,800 miles from the borders of Afghanistan to south-west China. Penetrated but never conquered, it remains the world's most majestic natural barrier, a magnificent wilderness that shapes the history and politics of Asia to this day. Having previously risen to the challenge of seas, poles, and deserts, the highest mountains in the world were a natural target for Michael Palin.

In a journey rarely, if ever, attempted before, in 6 months of hard traveling Palin takes on the full length of the Himalaya including the Khyber Pass, the hidden valleys of the Hindu Kush, ancient cities like Peshawar and Lahore, the mighty peaks of K2, Annapurna, and Everest, the bleak and barren plateau of Tibet, the gorges of the Yangtze, the tribal lands of the Indo-Burmese border, and the vast Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh. He also passes through political flashpoints including Pakistan's remote north-west frontier, terrorist-torn Kashmir, and the mountains of Nagaland.

©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Michael Palin Adventure Travel Asia Travel Writing & Commentary Adventure

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All stars
Most relevant
This book is written with such beautiful, sensory descriptive words that I felt like I was there. I have such a yurning for travel and as it is not currently possible, this book took me across the Himalayas in my mind. thank you

I feel like I am there

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Pain's wry observations are hilarious and his descriptions magical. I loved this and wholly recommend it.

Palin is brilliant

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Michael Palin is the most interesting traveler of today. Highly recommended. Really enjoyed this and it is read superbly.

Fabulous

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Having found Full Circle aged 13 and not looked back since I think it’s hard to find a more dedicated fan of Michael’s work and travels. Himalaya is a masterpiece in immersion and the truly high and honest lows one faces when travelling. Yes of course you get the comfort of Michael’s narration but you really do get the best of both worlds. He informs but does so sparingly, never overwhelming the listener with endless fact checking ‘man splaining’ points. He’s so humble and this clearly is absorbed by the people he meets and frankly he’s the perfect travel partner!
I feel like it could have been twice the length and I’d have been happy with it. Having been to Nepal a few times I feel like I wanted more about the people of that country and Bhutan. Pakistan and India are so often documented but Nepal and Bhutan not so. I think this is where Michael really fell in love with the Himalaya journey.
Enjoy, chill out and savour this wonderful man’s work. He’s such a natural at it, very few are.

Perfect companion

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This is my personal favourite of Palins travel stories. So many amazing destination and people and the obvious personal interest he has in the high peaks comes through very clearly!. I would recommend to anyone

Wonderful exciting story

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