Himalayan Odyssey

by Parker Antin

A young American recalls his extraordinary excursion across the Himalayan range into one of the most forbidding, beautiful, and mysterious regions on Earth--the Dolpo province of Western Nepal--in what Publishers Weekly calls an odyssey on the thin edge of survival. 8-page photo insert. Fine.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440211255
• ISBN13: 9780440211259
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Laurel Press
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

I feel like I just came back from a trek!

If you read this book, skip the so-called prologue, since it's just 3 out of sequence bits. Once the story gets going, we experience all the doubts, questions, pain and joys of Parker Antin's epic journey. The writing is vivid and clear, but not over-blown. And unlike travelers from slightly earlier times, I felt that Parker did his best to treat his guide and porters as equals, willing participants in every aspect of the trip. Of course it takes some bull-headedness to walk across the Himalayas in the first place, but the goal was simply to do it. There was no quest for Lhasa or some other destination, just a quest to make the trip for its own sake. At several points, there was no alternative but to keep going, despite the guide's serious illness. To have stopped would have meant certain death for the sick man and the rest of the small group as well. One may certainly question the effects of trekking and tourism on indigenous cultures. Simply by having things that local people don't have, by taking their pictures, buying their food, giving--or not giving--candy or pencils to their children, one changes their world. Should some cultures be walled off from the rest of the world then? Kept in picturesque innocence and ignorance and poverty? Parker Antin tried to travel close to the local level. He tried to fit in. And his book allowed me, too out of shape ever to see the Himalaya land and people, to see through his eyes. It was a spectacular trip!

great story

This is a great story of travel in an demanding region. Excellent with insights on the Nepelese that support the journey and on the Nepelese encountered. Very good adventure story, with ups and downs. Great descriptions of the physcial challenge and good on the reflections of the author. I read many exploration and adventure books and articles, this ranks with the best. Very authentic, good new insights, and great challenges.

what an adventure !

This was the first "adventure travel" type book that I had ever read, and it truly got me hooked on the genre. Before this book, I had thought that adventure travel was backpacking Europe without a copy of Dad's credit card. But these guys take travelling/trekking to a whole new level. The adventures that they get involved in are amazing, like walking a ledge over a 1000-foot high gorge, or running out of food in a world where food is scarce and money is completely worthless. But his ingenuity always impresses, as does his writing style. VERY enjoyable book. I go back to it occasionally and re-read some of the best parts

This book is an odyssey in itself!

"Himalayan Odyssey" by Dr. Parker Antin is an excellent story about the author's journey across Nepal. Not only does this book detail the man's physical trek through the lesser know regions of Nepal, but also offers insight to the spiritual nature of such an expedition. I think that this book is a must read for anyone who plans on backpacking through remote lands or even just wishes to do so vicariously through Dr. Antin.