No comments about Florence (LUXE City Guides).

No comments about Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing Restaurants and Hotels (Zagat Survey: China).

5 comments about Travels of Marco Polo (Signet Classics).

1. In the late 13th century, three Venetian merchants, two brothers and the son of one of them, visited China, which was then ruled by the Mongols. The Mongols distrusted the native Chinese and hired foreigners such as the young man as minor officials. The Venetian merchant-turned-official traveled extensively through North and South China, South-East Asia and India. After he returned to Venice, he took part in a war between Venice and Genoa, was taken prisoner, and in prison met a professional writer who wrote a book based on his memoirs and embellished it with the stock devices of late medieval romances. Among various Asiatic curiosities Messer Polo describes asbestos, coal, tigers, musk deer, sago and coconuts. He tells the story of the Buddha, describes the Mongol postal system (I was surprised that yamb, which is obviously the root of the Russian word yamshchik, a postal courier, is a Mongol word), Chinese paper money and the life of Indian yogis. For him, the Shinto "idols" of Japan are offensive for a Christian to read about, but the virginity test administered to prospective daughters-in-law in South China isn't. Marco Polo is no Jonathan Spence; he is not trying to get the reader inside the heads of people belonging to an alien culture; he is a merchant, and cares much more about the crops that grow in a certain kingdom or a region, and the crafts its inhabitants practice. Anyway, it is an enjoyable read if you liked Herodotus or the Russian Primary Chronicle. When I read it on the bus, the white man in the seat to the left of me was reading a textbook of Mandarin, and the white man to the right was practicing his Kanji - we are all Marco Polos now.



2. This is just a straight & plain narration on what Marco Polo came across. At times it's quite boring. But I mean no disrespect for Polo as he would still be a remarkable explorer & adventurer even today, not to say in the 13th century where transportation was in primitive modes. Contrasting Polo's map & the modern one is interesting though, as well as guessing the modern places corresponding to Polo's description.



3. Imagine a very boring person went through something fascinating. This person came up to you, started to talk about this incredible journey of theirs, but talking in this monotonous voice without changing pitch or showing excitement at any moment.
   
   That's essentially what "Travels of Marco Polo" is. It's an INCREDIBLY interesting book and a fascinating tale, but can it possible be said in a more dry and flat way? There is no energetic spark that makes this adventure jump off the page. Perhaps this is due to the times, but I suspect the translation is a bit literal and bland as well. The writing never changes tone, even in parts that are clearly exciting and amazing. All the facts are there, but the reader is forced to put too much energy just to make it interesting.
   
   Marco Polo had a most fascinating journey. Any history buff should snatch this book off the shelves (unless they decide to read the even longer, more annoying records that I'm sure can be found floating around), and anyone interesting in Marco Polo should as well. It may be dull at times, but it's still incredible, fascinating, and a riveting tale.
   
   Recommended to heavier, more able readers.



4. It has been a pleasure to revisit the travels of Marco Polo. I was transfixed by these stories of travel and adventure when I was a child, and never questioned the veracity of the narrative. I know today that the narrative has been corrupted over the centuries, that "The Travels" can scarcely be used as an historical reference, and that a more tantalizing and complete manuscript has probably been lost to the ages. Still, there are glimpses and insights within the narrative that could only have come from first-hand experience, and these describe an enormous, exotic world that titillates even today, while readers in the 13th and 14th centuries must have been enthralled.
   
   I was most keen this time around to Polo's descriptions of the cultures and wildlife he encountered, of the whales and lions and leopards and bears--he even describes a white bear, and the people who hunted it were surely of the group often called Eskimos. He describes dog-sledding in the far north and the cannibalistic practices of the people of Java far to the south, both of which are extant in our current era. There are also the fascinating observations of the Mongol Empire, of that group of nomadic people who somehow rose up, like an event in an Isaac Asimov novel, to conquer much of the known world.
   
   Somewhat depressingly, though, are Polo's observations of the tensions that existed between the Islamic and Christian worlds, tensions rooted in the competition for hegemony over trade in the Far East. Seven hundred years later, these tensions are still acting themselves out.
   
   This translation by Ronald Latham from 1958 includes an introduction that puts Marco Polo's life in context with events and includes footnotes to help the reader make sense of the myriad manuscripts that make up the travels of Marco Polo. This is a somewhat dry read; even Latham comments on the paucity of skill employed by Polo's chronicler. Once I put my mind in context with the narrative, however, I was able to roll with the repetition and sycophancy and enjoy the text.



5. Marco Polo purportedly spent 17 years travelling to the courts of Kublai Khan and, as an emissary for Kublai Khan, then throughout the Far East. Whether it actually happened or not is up for debate. I went into this text with an open mindset and have accepted that Marco Polo did indeed go on this trip with his father and uncle, but not to the extent as surmised. Instead he travelled and added stories he collected from traders and others to fill in gaps or points of interest to him. The book is broken into four sections now. Part One is his trip to the Great Khan's courts in Cathay (China). Part Two is his travels throughout the provinces of Cathay. Part Three concerns going to Japan, Southern India, and the Islands of the Indian Sea (Java, etc). Part Four is travelling into the 'northern countries' (Russia, etc).
   
   In general, Polo gives very brief descriptions of most regions, accounting for their religious beliefs, money used, fealty to the Great Khan Kublai. There's some intriguing customs (visitors will be taken into a home and the man of the house leaves until they are gone but the visitor has full access to the household including the wives, daughters, sisters, nieces), talks of cannibalism, dress, unfamiliar animals they encountered, and contributes to the whole messy history of Prestor John. It does get repetitive and dry after a while. Polo's talk of Kublai Khan is almost obsessive and he was obviously completely enamoured of this new culture. Overall, it was fascinating to read although I had to push myself through some parts due to repetitive descriptions. Any history buff should read this story about one of the purported most well-travelled explorers ever, not to mention he was possibly the biggest best-selling authors before the printing press was invented.

3 comments about From Here to Nirvana.

1. This is a great book.It was written for those of us who want to travel to India and learn more yoga, meditation etc.Not all places are described in equal length and depth but you will always find useful information about yoga schools, ashrams and monasteries in all the parts of India.In a lot of cases, the writers have been there and they took the classes for you, sat through the satsangs and tried the food and water.The book talks about each place separately and gives you info on "Teachers & Teachings", "Facilities and Food", "Schedule","Fees","Contact Information","How To Get There",etc.A very helpful guide for spiritual seekers who intend to travel to India.



2. This book would be excellent for people seeking ashrams. However, there is nothing about major temples, festivals, or other local observations. There is a little bit of information about local pilgrimage sites but it is laughably inadequate.



3. Thanks to this book, I was able to arrive in Delhi at midnite, go to the taxi stand at the airport and not wonder where I would end up for the night. I had already made arrangements to stay in an ashram in Delhi that night. And taxi drivers don't give you the hotel runaround when you tell them to take you directly to a particular ashram. For that alone, this book was worth every penny to me.

   I would recommend reading it before you go because some of the places/people to be contacted must be done ahead of time. and you may find that contact information can change sporadically in India (one of the many beautiful challenges you'll find on your travels there).

No comments about Fodor's Exploring Japan, 6th Edition (Exploring Guides).

1 comments about Trekking in Ladakh, 3rd: India Trekking Guides (Trailblazer).

1. This is in fact the only detailed account, well illustrated, for a traveler to Ladakh (do you know where is it?), a small Buddhist-Islam country which still preserves many of the traditions already spoiled in Nepal & Sikkim.
   For a trekker, this is a precious vade mecum. For a learner, Charlie Loram is a most knowledgeable teacher on the subject.
   This book is worth your time and money.
   And, thank you Charlie for a superb book!

4 comments about Kids' Trips in Tokyo: A Family Guide to One-Day Outings.

1. We got this book right before moving to Tokyo for a year with our two year old daughter. We haven't been steered wrong yet - each of the tours or trips in the book we have tried so far has been a delight for us and our daughter. If you have a kid in Tokyo, you *need* this book.

   Highlights so far have been the Kodomo no Kuni dairy farm/park in Kanagawa, the parks and streetcar line in Arakawa, the park and community center in Kichijoji.




2. The book was well organized, but if one's children are active boys between the ages of 5 and 11, then this book is probably not for you. Although there were a few exceptions, I found that the book was filled with museums, which may be interesting, but did not seem too exciting upon reading. I also ordered with this book, "Tokyo for Free" and "Little Adventures in Tokyo". Between these two books and a good guide book, everything in this book was covered with the advantage that there were things in these other books that seemed like alot more fun. Depends on your kids.



3. Last summer, I stayed with relatives who were living in Japan. We used this book a lot for sightseeing and it lists huge parks. There are really, really, beautiful gardens in Japan, and as a 16-year old guy I usually don't pay much attention to gardens. My cousin lived in Tokyo for several years and swears by this book. One recommendation: skip the raw fish.



4. I love this book! It is well organized, packed with fun ideas for kids of all ages. People are always asking me how I am able to find out about so many fun things to do in Tokyo. It's all in this book! If you will be living in Tokyo, you won't survive without it.

2 comments about Bhutan: Himalayan Mountain Kingdom, Fifth Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guides).

1. I have traveled extensively in the Far East, but have never before to Bhutan, until now (2007). I always like to read up on places before I visit them and generally travel as independently as reasonably possible.
   I purchased both this book and the Lonely Planet guide and found the combination excellent. This book has more about the places, the people and their customs and the history. Don't expect it to be a comprehensive list of places to stay and places to eat. It contrasts well with Lonely Planet's backpacker's reference book image.
   I think this is a good book and doubt whether you will be disappointed if you buy it.



2. This guidebook to Bhutan was not at all helpful. It is filled with tiny details which may be of interest to the devotee, but gives the average traveler very limited background. You can read about the many different kinds of chortens, for example, but you will find the discussion of Tantric Buddhism in general perplexing. The maps are not good, and no attempt is made to separate the spectacular (such as the Punakha Dzong) from the mundane (such as the Thimpu Dzong). The information on trekking is very limited and dated. Get the Lonely Planet guide, along with the Bart Jordan book on trekking-if you intend to do a trek. Bhutan is a very expensive country to visit, and you should have a better guide in hand before your visit.

5 comments about News from Tartary: A Journey from Peking to Kashmir (Marlboro Travel).

1. I haven't bought this edition yet. I read this while in Nepal and India and loved it. It is one of the finest pieces of travel writing I know of. I rank it with Harrer's "Seven Years in Tibet", Newby's "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Thesiger's "Arabian Sands" and Stark's "Valleys of the Assassins." No new-age, PC navel-gazing here: just an honest and humorously-told narrative of an adventurous overland crossing of central Asia in a turbulent time. If you are interested in central Asia, I think this book is a must.



2. This is probably the best travel narrative ever written about China (although Owen Lattimore's 'The Desert Road to Turkestan' is a close second) and has influenced a great deal of subsequent writing about the region--not in content, but in style. Fleming presents himself as a bumbling amateur traveller, a mild eccentric, and someone who has only the vaguest idea what's going on. Later writers, attracted no doubt by the fact that this book has stayed in print for nearly 70 years, have taken this as justification to write narratives which revel in their own ignorance. But Fleming's amateurishness is merely a pose, and the book is full of humorous detail on life in China at that time, backed by sound journalism and knowledge of the political situation. It's also full of perceptive observations on the people he meets and their behaviour, guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of the modern traveller when coming across their latter day counterparts, both Chinese and expatriate foreigner.



3. Peter Fleming's "News from Tartary" is a classic travel book about trekking through the wilds of Asia. Unfortunately, it has been badly served by this edition; it's overpriced and lacking in quality. It doesn't have the 26 illustrations of the original; it doesn't even have the absolutely necessary map. Reading it is like watching a great movie without sound or captions. Fleming (Ian Fleming's brother, as it happens)would have had a well-turned phrase of damnation had he seen how this edition emasculates the original. I urge you to read the book, but not this way. Go online and buy a used copy of the hardback for not much more (over 50 copies were listed when I checked abebooks.com)and enjoy Fleming's travel saga as it deserves to be enjoyed. I feel cheated; readers should be informed when a reprint edition is, like this one, incomplete. My one star rating is not for the writing--its for this shoddy presentation of a great travel book.



4. "News from Tartary" is number 64 on National Geographic's list of 100 all-time best adventure books -- and it deserves the ranking. The author, Peter Fleming, brother of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, would deny that the book is about an "adventure" and claim that he and companion Ella K. Maillard merely took a long walk through Chinese Turkestan and, oh yes, crossed the Himalayas. Maillard wrote her own book about the trek, "Forbidden Journey," and it's also worth reading.
   
   "News from Tartary" is the story of a seven-month, 3,500 mile journey in 1935 from Peking to Kashmir, beginning by train and continuing by bus, foot, camel, and horse. Fleming is the British amateur par excellence. His equipment consisted of "a rook rifle, six bottles of brandy, and Macaulay's "History of England." He claims no qualifications or expertise to speak of, no purpose in traveling other than his own entertainment, and he gained little in the way of earthshaking wisdom that he shares with us. (If you read Maillard's book, you will find that his modest and self-mocking attitude may not be too far from the truth -- although Fleming is certainly an outstanding writer and journalist.)
   
   This is a cracking good story, more informative than it may seem, and charmingly told. Of an acquaintance, Fleming says that he "had seen me act more than once at Oxford, but he was of a forgiving disposition and prepared to let bygones be bygones." And, the author to the contrary, it was an adventure. Fleming and Maillard traversed some of the most unforgiving terrain in the world at a time in which banditry and political strife were rife. Fleming describes vividly the Chinese, Tungans, Turkis, and Tibetans they meet, the impossibly remote oasis towns at the foot of the Himalayas, and the passage across 15,000 feet mountain passes into British India. One of the more interesting elements of the book is the intrusion of modern politics into this narrative of exotic lands and unchanging people. The pair encounter civil war, Russian soldiers and airplanes in Kashgar, and "Great Game" intrique.
   
   I recommend you read this book with a good map at your side - or better yet buy a used copy of the original hardback edition which has a map and some good photos.
   
   Smallchief



5. Peter Fleming (1907-71) was Ian Fleming's (James Bond) older brother. Peter first rose to popularity in his 20's, during the early 30's, with 3 major travel/adventure books about trips through Brazil (33'), China (34') and Central Asia (36'). 'News from Tartary' (1936) is the last of the three and describes a 6 month 3500 mile trip from Peking (Beijing) due west across Chinas western provinces and south to India ("Tartary" is a Western term roughly meaning Central Asia). At the time China's most western province of Sinkiang (sometimes known as "Chinese Turkestan") was embroiled in a complex struggle of colonial and civil wars with Russia, China, etc.. and was a black hole of news. Sort of like Chechnya today, it held a certain dangerous fascination for intrepid western adventurers. Fleming traveled with Swiss writer Ella Maillart (1903-97) who was herself an accomplished adventurer, although not so well known in the English speaking world, she also wrote her own book about this trip and the two can be read for profitable comparison. There are many re-prints of News in circulation but the original edition is best as it contains dozens of fascinating black and white photos, thick rough-cut paper and a color tri-fold map of the route.
   
   'News from Tartary' is today considered a classic of travel literature ranked #64 on National Geographic's "100 Best Adventure Books". It is an early example of "British understatement", the bumbling amateur English gentleman who travels for no reason other than traveling, as would be copied in the post war years, with authors such as Eric Newby. Fleming graduated from Oxford with an advanced degree in English literature and while he believed in adventure, he wondered how - in a modern world of motor vehicles, trains and planes - real adventure could be written of anymore. Just as Cervantes in 'Don Quixote' believed in the spirit of chivalry, but knew its time had passed, he was able to write about it through a bumbling knight who could be laughed at. Likewise Fleming sought to disarm his readers with word play and self-deprecation, thus strengthening the more serious parts of the book and lending the author more credibility - Fleming succeed, in the readers eyes, not because of physical prowess and skills, but despite them. By being an approachable everyman, he is more able to vividly convey to his readers - who probably have never been to remote central Asia and never will - how it feels to travel through the Gobi desert on camels, arriving in oasis, going through sandstorms and traveling through the Himalayas.

5 comments about A Search in Secret India.

1. When Paul Brunton decided to take up a long journey into mystical India in search of its secret spirituality he must have had a genuine urge to study Indian spirituality. The thirst to get a real `Darshan' of a true yogi. He had something more than a journalists' inquiring mind. During his days India was ruled by Gora (white) Sahibs and the Indian treasure in terms of its spirituality, herb medicines, yoga etc. lay hidden from the world. The world was just amazed by the new scientific inventions taking place in the west. Indians themselves had begun doubting their ancient systems and methods. To set his foot in India in those times to discover its hidden mysticism is quite commendable.
   Paul Brunton lands in Bombay from where he begins his mystical experiences and travels south in search of a true yogi. His experiences which he jots down in very lucid English are a pleasure to read.



2. It is indeed a breathtaking effort by Paul Brunton which has rediscovered the lost acme of human thoughts and the peak of spirituality.



3. With Paul Brunton we have a combination of three things, a Journalist who writes exceedingly well, someone who understands western mystical thought and history and an ardent student of eastern mysticism. This combination produces powerful books and 'Search in Secret India' is just one of them. I recommend Paul Brunton's books to anyone who is interested in Mysticism. Just read one of them and you are sure to become a fan.



4. There are Yogis and there are Jnanis.
   
   Yogis, are able to detach themselves from the world at will
   and gain control over their mind enough to attempt and acquire union with God, Goodness, Soul, Spirit, at will.
   
   The last phrase, 'at will' is the catch.
   
   Yogis still have their ego (will) in tact.
   
   Their accomplishments may feed and enlarge this ego rather
   than help them see its illusoriness and get rid of its hold.
   
   I had the impression that Yogis are ultimately evolved souls, but this book clearly showed that there are Yogis of different
   levels of enlightment. A Yogi can gain enormous powers of concentration and become a master of subjects he chooses- even human subjects. He or she may seem and talk and act like an enlightened master (eg Osho), but the veil of Unreality ultimately will catch him or her.
   
   The difficulty with the Yogic path is, and most likely thing to happen, is that one could 'slip' and settle for being a guru or a miracle-worker and thus become bound deeper into a happy, all powerful sense of ego.
   
   Paul Brunton gives many many examples of such people and stays clear of them. As you read the story of his experiences, you
   unconsciously internalize the intellectual honesty and quest for
   Truth.
   
   He then meets a few Jnanis - more than one is in here. His meetings with Sage of Kanchi and the Maharshi are the satisfying
   climax of his Quest. But he also meets very many jnanis - at least two more in Madras (read the one with the outhouse meditator) and an astrologer in Kasi.
   
   A Jnani is one who has understood the Reality of how World is put together and what the Mind is and how the only truth is Pure Awareness that permeates everything all the time. This understanding of the truth, not Yogic practices, characterize
   the spontaneity of a Jnani.
   
   Even though the original word Yogi means 'one who is united with God', it is currently being applied to practitioners of Yoga and in general, aspirants, which is why the distinction of yogi and Jnani is made here to point out that make sure to look for a Jnani (one who has attained the understanding of reality) and not to settle for other Gurus - who may be aspirants along the path little farther from us.
   
   Even though a saint and a yogi will eventually attain this Wisdom, it is very important to remember that they are on the path and have to be treated cautiously - for their ability to mislead us. Searching for a guru, it has been said, is like a blind person trying to judge whether his helper can see. If he could say that, he does not need a helper.
   
   Reading this book, the detailed and objective style of which is very characteristic of last century British writing, you can
   actually re-live a journey in 1900s India or even rural india of today and gain a sense for clarifying your own quest. THAT, is a rare thing, and the most important.
   
   First introduced to this book by a friends father, I have come back to the book once every two to three years over the last 20 years, each time I have felt the book is still relevant and it
   re-vitalizes my outlook - sort of a spiritual compass.
   
   Ravi Annaswamy



5. A critical eye looks at the old world yoga. Great story! Great view into this world that few understand. This is one of my favorite books of all time.