Walking The Himalayas

by Levison Wood

Overview

Following his trek along the length of the Nile River, explorer Levison Wood takes on his greatest challenge yet: navigating the treacherous foothills of the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range.

Praised by Bear Grylls, Levison Wood has been called "the toughest man on TV" (The Times UK). Now, following in the footsteps of the great explorers, Levison recounts the beauty and danger he found along the Silk Road route of Afghanistan, the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, the disputed territories of Kashmir and the earth-quake ravaged lands of Nepal.

Over the course of six months, Wood and his trusted guides trek 1,700 gruelling miles across the roof of the world. Packed with action and emotion, Walking the Himalayas is the story of one intrepid man's travels in a world poised on the edge of tremendous change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316352420
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	05/24/2016
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	760,099
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Levison Wood is a full time explorer and writer. Having spent ten years in the British Army, he has led expeditions on five continents and has travelled in over 80 countries. As a photographer and journalist he specialises in documenting people and cultures in remote regions and post-conflict zones. He has worked with various regional and national government departments in promoting access in developing economies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and International Fellow of the Explorers Club.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Walking the Himalayas

"Britain's best-loved adventurer....he looks like a man who will stare danger in the face and soak up a lot of pain without complaint."
—Times (UK)

"Exhilarating....During his trek, he encounters horse-mounted Kyrgyz nomads, breaks his arm in a car wreck, climbs a few mountains and meets the Dalai Lama. Oh, just typical stuff. [Wood's] an amiable companion. A former British army officer, a veteran of engagements in Afghanistan, he's just the kind of guy you want with you on an adventure."
—Timothy R. Smith, The Washington Post


"Wood's skills as a travel writer have not diminished and his descriptions of the terrain and cultures he encounters are vivid. As in the previous book, his character sketches of his local guides are sharply drawn and memorable."—J. Kemper Campbell MD, Lincoln Journal Star


"In the macho, adrenaline-fueled arena of TV adventurers, Levison Wood is that rare beast: the real deal."—Radio Times (UK)


"Wood skillfully intersperses cultural, political, religious and historical information about the region he trekked through with beautiful, detailed descriptions of the people and countryside. Despite private audiences with the Dalai Lama, a swami, and a cannibal, all of whom gave him important advice, the most significant revelations come as Wood stands at the end of his quest."—Lee E. Cart, Shelf Awareness


"He is the real deal: a former paratrooper, a major in the army reserves and as hard as nails."—Telegraph (UK)

"Another harrowing yet illuminating story of perseverance."
—Jon Foro, The Amazon Book Review

"The desire to explore unfamiliar places is pure and admirable, and Wood is a likable guide."
—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Walking the Nile

"Mr. Wood's interest, as well as his talents as a writer, lie not so much in describing the vast, shifting landscapes of east and north Africa but in finding out "what life was like in corners of the world that do not always make it into our headlines" and in capturing the character and foibles of the people who inhabit them.

Wood has a good eye for detail and a better ear for dialogue, whether it is to capture the menace of orders from secret police, the size of a young Mundari tribesman in Sudan, or the encouragement of the friends who join him at various stages of the long march."
—Anthony Sattin, Wall Street Journal

Praise for Walking The Nile (TV series):

"A series as real and raw as the landscape."
—The Times (London)


"What started as a travelogue is fast turning into a fascinating and tense documentary."—Daily Star (Five Star Review)


"Lev's been amiable and self-effacing throughout this 4,000-mile challenge... Channel 4, you may have found a new wandering star."—Radio Times

From the Publisher

05/01/2016
Travel advice from the Dalai Lama, wading across rivers with crocodiles swimming nearby, and surviving a horrifying car accident are all part of explorer Wood's (Walking the Nile) account of walking the Himalayas. His trek across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Nepal, and the mysterious kingdom of Bhutan is less about the adventure and more about the people and cultures he encounters along the way. Nearly landing on a cobra, running from a landslide, and tracking a tiger provide excitement, but it's the ceremonies with mystics and shamans, meetings with religious leaders, chancing upon regional celebrations, and sipping tea with locals that make this voyage riveting. The author travels through parts of the world harshly misunderstood by the West and provides an insightful look into what many view as alien societies. VERDICT More than a travelog, this will appeal to a wide variety of readers, from armchair travelers and adventurers to those interested in learning more about foreign lands.—Zebulin Evelhoch, Central Washington Univ. Lib.

Library Journal

2016-03-03
In a follow-up to his African odyssey (Walking the Nile, 2016), explorer Wood hits the road again on a trans-Asian adventure.Like his earlier work, this book opens with a bang. In 2001, the author was in Nepal during the Maoist uprising. Just before his scheduled departure, the Crown Prince Dipendra massacred the royal family, plunging the country into chaos, and Wood briefly went into hiding. The author describes this action in the prologue, noting how he was young and broke. The story resumes 14 years later, when his life was decidedly calmer. At this point, Wood lived in London as a published writer with little to prove. Only after much goading from his friend Ash did the author consider another long walk. In contrast to the brutal African wilderness, the Himalayas were majestic and relatively tranquil. Instead of dodging bullets and befriending warlords, Wood met with shamans, villagers, herders, and activists. The desire to explore unfamiliar places is pure and admirable, and Wood is a likable guide. He thoughtfully describes the scenery of places like Tibet, Afghanistan, and Bhutan, and he delves into the basic political problems of Central Asia. Yet many foreigners have trod this region, and Wood's journey through Pakistan seems less daring after, say, Michael Palin chronicled a similar passage. Given his track record of tenacity and resourcefulness, Wood's talents seem wasted on such sentimental sightseeing. Most of his prose is dedicated to spiritual rites and friendly chats along the way. The finale feels lackluster, as if he has become bored by his own story. Toward the end, he writes, " ‘Live in the moment,' the Dalai Lama had said. ‘Stop concerning yourself with the future.' " After so many dramatic experiences, it's a bit of a letdown. The author certainly deserved a vacation, and fans will appreciate his ongoing travels, but Wood's skills are too valuable to squander here. The author's intentions are genuine and ambitious, but the result is uninspired.

Kirkus Reviews

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