Rating: 
Summary: Continued
Review: " I was full, everything was dry, and I sleepily crawled into the fluffy, warn down sleeping bag." I picked this quote to show that this is a grat model of writting. The book had a lot of good description. All through the book he paints pictures using words. I can actually feel like I'm there at times while reading it. He does use an odd type of writting stlye at times. It seems like something is missing in some of his paragraphs. But the book makes up for it with a great plot. The book tells a lot of great info about the countries of Tibet and China. I learned several things about each of their cultures from the book. If you are interseted in the Asian culture than you'll love this book!
Rating:
Summary: A grand adventure, worthwhile reading for all
Review: As a boy growing up on an 80 acre farm in the 1940's, I had no television. Radio and newspapers gave us news and some good music. But to escape the borders of the farm, I turned to books and through them, experienced many lands and peoples. Dr Brackenbury brings us another great adventure to a timeless and wonderful place. He shares his hopes and desires, new peoples and great challanges. As I read the pages of YaK Butter, I could "feel" the weight of my backpack as I climbed the mountain passes with him. A great experience I recommend to all who read and all who travel.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money!
Review: As in individual who spent five weeks in Tibet in the mid-80s, I was appalled at the authors lack of respect for the Tibetan people. No ethical backpacker would put his desires and goals before the needs of the individuals who live and eke out a living in the country he is visiting. Food is scarce. The author repeatedly seeks out free meals and free accomadations as he evades the authorities so that he can "fulfill" his dream of arriving in a valley to meet the Drung people. On occasion he would pay, but as a compassionate soul who has been there, money is worthless to these individuals. It is self absorbed individuals like Wade that continue to make "the ugly American" a reality.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating look, but frustrating writing style
Review: Brackenbury affords us a fascinating glimpse into trekking in Tibet and South China, but unfortunately his writing style leaves much to be desired. I found myself wishing he had included some photographs from all those rolls of film he smuggled out. His story is amazing, but it lacks the details in the descriptions that would make his book as great as his story. Brackenbury offers us some fresh insight into one topic of which few trekkers even conceive: responsibility for one's presence. He realizes, mid-way through his journey, that his presence places all those who help him in jeopardy, and he then tries to reconcile this realization with his intense need to press on to the Drung people. Truly the finest point in the book.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent modern adventure
Review: First of all this was a simply written adventure tale that kept my interest. His single handed quest into an unknown region sparked a desire in me to strap on one of my numerous packs and head out. He inspired me, one who spent 4 years back packing mostly in Asia 30 yrs ago. Secondly, the book made be aware of how common backpack travel is China today. His trip would have been impossible 20 yrs ago. Thirdly, it was an honest account, that has given international exposure to a people that are about to be Chinese-ized. And those who critized the author as the Ugly American, forget to mention that he gave medical treatment to many of the poor people he met. Bottom line - if you're a person who hasn't had your brain politically corrected and you love a good adventure tale, I hope you read this.
Rating: 
Summary: Yak Butter & Black Tea
Review: First of all this was a simply written adventure tale that kept my interest. His single handed quest into an unknown region sparked a desire in me to strap on one of my numerous packs and head out. He inspired me, one who spent 4 years back packing mostly in Asia 30 yrs ago. Secondly, the book made be aware of how common backpack travel is China today. His trip would have been impossible 20 yrs ago. Thirdly, it was an honest account, that has given international exposure to a people that are about to be Chinese-ized. And those who critized the author as the Ugly American, forget to mention that he gave medical treatment to many of the poor people he met. Bottom line - if you're a person who hasn't had your brain politically corrected and you love a good adventure tale, I hope you read this.
Rating:
Summary: The worst kind of traveler decends upon forbidden China
Review: I deeply regret having bought this book. Brackenbury represents the worst kind of traveller who for adventure does not shy away from anything. For example, after being told by a village chief that money has no really value in these wild parts of the world and that "when you get some eggs from a family, those are eggs that the family was going to eat that day", he buys some flour from a man whose house he finds appallingly filthy and littered with bowls of partially consumed alcohol. He finds the man's mother suffering from severe dysentery and soaked in blood and feces.He nevertheless buys flour from the man and even returns for more. The second time the man is so drunk he can not stand or walk. Brackenbury writes:"Five young children stared on in apprehension as they watched me try to trade what must have seemed to them a few scraps of paper for what was probably all the food in the house.A frail boy about four or five lunged forward and threw his arms around the sacks of flour, his weight pulling them back to the floor. He was completely naked, and his little ribs showed through his thin, brown skin...... The little boy began to cry, and as I walked away from the house (with their only food!), I could hear him wail". Shame on that Brackenbury. He makes up some excuse that the man might buy some medicine for his sick mother even though he had been told before that you can't really buy anything in this remote valley. To any fairly intelligent person it is clear that the man is an alcoholic whose family already lives in incomprehensible squalor but Brackenbury's goal of being the first westener to reach the remote Drung Valley overrides everything. By now Wade Brackenbury is sitting comfortable in his chiropractor office in America, reflecting on his grand adventure, making money off his book and these people. He is a type of traveller who takes a lot and leaves nothing, but a bad taste in my mouth. It is not the kind of adventure I enjoy reading about.
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed it so much i wished it were longer!
Review: I loved this book for its fantastic insight into the perils of such a journey. The personal contributions really make this book work!
Rating:
Summary: How low can this American stoop?
Review: I picked this book up hoping for more insight into another culture - instead, I got insight into the uglier parts of America. Not only can Wade not really write, but throughout his adventures he shows that he doesn't know how to behave in a decent, humane manner. The only thing I find admirable in his story is his honesty. I would have been ashamed to admit to some of the things he did. The most appalling point was when he was in a very small, very poor village trying to buy food... no one would sell him any because no one had anything to spare. Finally, Wade found an alcoholic who was willing to sell him a bag of rice. When Wade went to collect it, he had to shake one of the man's small sons off the bag ("the last food in the house," says Wade) in order to haul it away. I did finish the book, not with any pleasure, but with a sinking in my heart.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: I read this book a few years ago, when I was just getting into reading travel narratives. This is a great one to start off the genre with. It's an easy read, and a great story.
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