Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest

Rating:
Summary: More offensive than informative
Review: While the information and comparisons to his father's climb were insightful and interesting, I was put off by the author's comments on Americans and the spirituality of America. This book was more about Buddism and its practice than a climbing adventure. The descriptions of Buddhist customs are informative, but this reader did not appreciate the tone which came across in these sections. As both a Jew and an American, I felt like I was being disrespected when I read it.

Rating:
Summary: A Pioneering insight.
Review: You may think that there is no new mileage in another story concerning the everest disaster of 1996. That particular chapter in the mountains history has been chronicled many times, most notably by jon Krakauer in into thin air and David Breashears in high exposure. However, Jamling Norgay has taken a slightly different perspective in this book, choosing to concentrate on the inter relationships between himself, his father, the IMAX climbing team, the victims of the tragedy, his wife, family and last but not least, his faith. The buddhism aspect of this book is by far the most interesting tenet of touching my fathers soul. The divinations received by Jamling from his respected lamas showing an uneering premonition for the immediate future. Although the IMAX climb is central to the book, it becomes secondary to Jamlings obvious soul searching. If you want to read about the IMAX climb, buy high exposure. If you want to know about the 1996 disaster, buy into thin air. If you wish for elements of both of these and a more spiritual interpretation of everest, buy this. It Makes you think