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A beautiful book, and worthy of the mountains he is among What began as a practical search for the rare snow leopard, revered Buddhist emblem, developed into a quest for the meaning of Being. An enjoyable combination of mountaineering and mysticism Observer It's a tale of an inner struggle for calm, and would be an inspiring and sustaining desert island companion As much the chronicle of an inner journey as it is the learned recording of an unfamiliar territory...a timeless account Independent An evocative account of a remote and timeless place and its people Sunday Times A magical book: a kind of lunar paradigm and map of the sacred-The book has transcended the usual limits of language Nation
Paul Theroux
‘A beautiful book, and worthy of the mountains he is among’
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bought this while travelling, and didn't really appreciate how good it was until I returned home. Matthiesson's expedition with Schaller is excellently retold, and his linking of the essences of both spirituality and nature makes this book inspire a sense of calm, yet also sadness at the nature of our supposedly 'modern' society. I don't recall him beating any sherpa's as another reviewer has mentioned - he is (or was)a buddhist practitioner, and this would seem to be against his overriding principle - that we are all one with nature. This book is excellent as both a form of escapism, and for those who wish to read an informed and enlightened travel journal
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must have read this book at least a dozen times since first being given a copy at Christmas 1987. (I don't reread books much, as a whole.) Every time I come to it, there is something new to learn, to appreciate.Then there are some things that strike me EVERY time. Not least, the elegance and beauty of Matthiessen's writing-one minute he is writing of his meditative practice(he had been a Zen practitioner for several years when he made this Himalayan journey in the autumn of 1973), the next minute he's describing the very practical difficulties encountered on such an expedition (snow-drifts, altitude sickness,) and the NEXT minute he's describing-informatively, beautifully-the animals and plants. He's also very deep into Buddhist philosophy-as one might expect, of course-and knows a good few things about Buddhist iconography as well(whatever he modestly claims to the contrary).The book is not only an examination (and, ultimately, a celebration) of the snow leopard, or the Himalayan blue sheep, but also of the Himalayan way of life. I share some of his delight when, after many weeks of trials and tribulations, he finds himself standing in a remote gompa( a sort of Buddhist chapel or oratory), a place subtly gleaming with brass statues, prayer-wheels, etc. and lit only by candles.
It's an infectious book. And a powerful one. I'd also recommend Matthiessen's TIGERS IN THE SNOW, his study of the Amur( Siberian) tiger.If you're remotely interested in the big cats, you could do worse than treat yourself to both these gems.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a story of two journeys of exploration. On one hand it is an account of an expedition by the world famous field biologist Georges Schaller to remote North Western Nepal in search of the fabled Snow Leopard.
The second journey is Matthiessen's personal journey of spiritual discovery amongst the Himalayan gompas of both Buddhism and the ancient Bon religion.
Combining a remarkable eye for detail in the flora and fauna of the journey with a deeply moving account of his personal spiritual discoveries, this book is a "must read" for anyone with even the slightest interest in what lies beyond the mundane day to day world.
It is also a detailed account of a world which was at the time of the expedition untouched by Western technology or values. A world which largely no longer exists.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The snow leopard
A vivid account of a journey over the Himaylaya to the Tibetan plateau and also a compelling journey on the Buddhist path to Enlightenment. Read more
Published 1 month ago by CathyJ
Snow Leopard
This is not a book for everyone, but if you like reading about adventures in mountains in the cold and snow, (while you are warm and cosy indoors! Read more
Published 4 months ago by mauveone
A thought provoking & spiritual book
This is a deep book that gets you thinking, chiefly about the absurdity of the wealth seeking, greedy, `because I'm worth it' western culture. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sally Walker
"No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that...
At the beginning of Ernest Hemingway's The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories (Scribner Classics) there is an epigraph that states that the Masai call the western summit of... Read more
Published 12 months ago by John P. Jones III
Happy with item - thanks
Happy with book thanks - slight dent on front cover but seller had said there was slight damage so fair enough! Thanks
Published 20 months ago by Kath
beautiful booki
I was recommended this book by a friend and what a find it is. I need to read each chapter twice as there is so much to take in - it is thought provoking but quite beautiful.
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. Jean Baker
A matter of expectations I guess...
Unfortunately this book is not a scientific account about the wonderful Himalayan Cat, it is more of a philosophical/ religious essay which uses the fleeting essence of the snow... Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by Giorgos
THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ
I can't comment on, and don't even care about, the literary style or accomplishment of Matthiessen's writing in academic terms but the content and poetry of the book are just... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2009 by Russell-the-Rhymer
Exquisite
account and one of my very favourites of all time. For those coping with bereavement, those travelling to Nepal, intending Buddhists, or even all those wanting more meaning in... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by R Morrell
a story of a journey that follows you
I bought the book for its travel and nature writing perspective. It's very enjoyable on those fronts, but what really strikes deep into your thoughts and heart is the thread of zen... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2007 by Helen J. McLachlan
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