Having had a keen interest in natural history and enjoyed plenty of books before this on the Himalaya I was slightly sceptical regarding the bold claim that this book is "by far the most comprehensive yet written" about the area, its culture and its people. For many years, the unique and astonishing geography of the Himalaya has attracted those in search of spiritual and literal elevation: pilgrims, adventurers, and mountaineers seeking to test themselves among the world’s most spectacular and challenging peaks. But far from being wild and barren, the Himalaya has been home to an astonishing diversity of indigenous and local cultures, as well as a crossroads for trade, and a meeting point and conflict zone for the world’s superpowers. Here Jesuit missionaries exchanged technologies with Tibetan Lamas, Mongol Khans employed Nepali craftsmen, the East India Company grappled for dominance with China’s emperors, and independent India confronts Mao’s Communists and their successors.

Writers and publicists often have a tendency to make all sorts of outrageous claims to lure readers into purchasing a book and many fail to deliver what they initially promised. However, Ed Douglas does deliver with this superb read. His passion and enthusiasm are a delight to witness and are evident right from the get-go whilst remaining for the entirety. His ceaseless enthusiasm fed into mine and I saw the topics, places and people come alive more and more with each turn of the page. Vividly tracing the mountainous terrain Douglas draws spectacular portraits with his prose and his richly detailed descriptions evoke a feeling of freedom and wanderlust despite me being at home curled up under a blanket. If you have been searching for an extensive, all-encompassing work on the beauty of the Himalayas, peppered with stories, myths and legends, and engaging anecdotes then you can't go wrong with this immersive masterpiece. Many thanks to Bodley Head for an ARC.

The rating I have given this book should in no way diminish the writing (5 stars) or the (obviously) huge amount of research that the author has done to provide readers with an incredible history. My problem (and, yes, it is MY problem) is that the scope is just too big. There is just so much information that the over-all feeling from this book is one of being overwhelmed. Sorry.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.