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liesjeleest's review
4.0
Reading this book I almost felt as if I was joining Levison Wood on his great adventure. He describes the amazing landscapes he encounters on his walk that goes from Afghanistan to Bhutan and tells us about the people he meets along the way. It also includes a bit of history of some of the places he visits along the way. Given that I'm not really up for a long walking adventure in remote areas, I'm glad I could enjoy these places through this book.
beckym's review
5.0
If you love adventure and want to see more of the world then this book is a great read! I loved it! I've read mixed reviews about it, but having read many books that explore Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan, I was very interested in reading one that explores them all in one sitting. Levison Wood's mammoth six month walk through the Himalayan region at the roof of the world, visiting some of the most remote places in the world and meeting countless wonderful people is certainly an adventure! Having fallen in love with Nepal myself, I loved his opening chapter - a flashback to his time in Pokhara as a nineteen year old backpacker, and the moment he met a kind Nepali man called Binod. Their friendship for me is an important factor in the book and I greatly enjoyed reading about their brotherly relationship. I will be reading Wood's other books in the future!
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
As if walking the entire length of the Nile was not mad enough, his good friend Ashwin Bhardwaj persuades him to walk along the rooftop of the world; the Himalayas. Wood had been to Nepal before way back in 2001, when the country’s Royal family was massacred. At that time a man called Binod took him in and protected him whilst the unrest continued. This new walk along the world’s highest mountain range meant that he had the opportunity to return and see him once again.
Flying into Kabul would be adventure enough for some people, but that was where he needed to get to, to be able to reach the eastern foothills. The last time Wood had been there he was in the army. Met by his minder at the airport, he is taken to the scruffy looking car to make the first part of his journey, before a helicopter ride to the start point. Wakhan Corridor. He is accompanied along the walk by guides, even persuading Ashwin to join him for one section, before he makes it to Nepal for a reunion with his friend, Binod, before continuing his journey to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan.
Wood is one tough guy; not only is this a mammoth walk of 1700 miles, but he does this at altitude too; no mean feat. He is an easy-going character, meaning that as he meets some of the toughest and nicest people he fits in easily, drawing their stories and lives out into the narrative. The range of cultures is quite an eye opener too, from the strict Islamic areas to the more relaxed and laid back Nepalese. It is reasonably well written, gripping in parts and has one heart-stopping moment. Haven’t seen the TV series yet, but I’m looking forward to watching it soon.
Flying into Kabul would be adventure enough for some people, but that was where he needed to get to, to be able to reach the eastern foothills. The last time Wood had been there he was in the army. Met by his minder at the airport, he is taken to the scruffy looking car to make the first part of his journey, before a helicopter ride to the start point. Wakhan Corridor. He is accompanied along the walk by guides, even persuading Ashwin to join him for one section, before he makes it to Nepal for a reunion with his friend, Binod, before continuing his journey to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan.
Wood is one tough guy; not only is this a mammoth walk of 1700 miles, but he does this at altitude too; no mean feat. He is an easy-going character, meaning that as he meets some of the toughest and nicest people he fits in easily, drawing their stories and lives out into the narrative. The range of cultures is quite an eye opener too, from the strict Islamic areas to the more relaxed and laid back Nepalese. It is reasonably well written, gripping in parts and has one heart-stopping moment. Haven’t seen the TV series yet, but I’m looking forward to watching it soon.
charlieb's review
3.0
A fairly good piece of travel journalism, but not the best. I have read a few books about long treks but this one seemed to skim over the surface of the actual task of walking for weeks on end and because of this, it felt a bit shallow.
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