Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [5]
So Close to Heaven: The Vanishing Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas by Barbara Crossette is an excellent account of Bhutan’s history and culture. The author is a New York Times correspondent who has spent considerable time in Bhutan and other Himalayan regions. Published in 1995, the book discusses some of the modern development and political problems facing Bhutan in a geographical and historical context.
Beyond the Sky and the Earth by Jamie Zeppa tells the story of a Canadian teacher who fell in love with Bhutan during her teaching assignment in eastern Bhutan. Jamie offers many anecdotes and explanations of strange Bhutanese traditions as she describes her experiences, many of which you may recognise during your travels.
Dreams of the Peaceful Dragon by Katie Hickman is a traveller’s account of a walk across Bhutan in the 1970s, before the road between Bumthang and Mongar was completed. It provides a good picture of trekking in Bhutan.
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TOP FIVE GREAT READS & ILLUSTRATED BOOKS
The Raven Crown by Michael Aris is the definitive history of Bhutan’s monarchy. The late Aris, who lived in Bhutan with his wife (Aung San Suu Kyi) from 1967 to 1972, remains the leading Western authority on Bhutan’s history. The book is lavishly illustrated with rare photographs of the early days of Bhutan that help show what a unique civilisation existed in the early 20th century.
Treasures of the Thunder Dragon by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen of Bhutan, is an appealing and informative personal account of the kingdom from a unique perspective. Part travelogue and part memoir, it introduces Bhutan, its history, culture, tradition, folklore and more.
The Hero with a Thousand Eyes by Karma Ura is a historical novel. It is based on the life of Shingkhar Lam, a retainer who served in the court of the second, third and fourth kings of Bhutan. It offers extraordinary insight into social conditions in the early days of the 20th century and the reforms and modernisations introduced by the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The Circle of Karma by Kunzang Choden tells the story of a young woman’s journey across Bhutan to find her destiny and rewards the reader with rich detail of everyday life and ritual.
Bhutan, Kingdom of the Dragon by Robert Dompnier is a superb coffee-table book by a French photographer who has travelled extensively throughout Bhutan.
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TOP FIVE MUST-SEE FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
These may not be at your local video shop but are worth searching for.
Travellers & Magicians (Khyentse Norbu) is a whimsical tale within a tale tackling the conflict of new and old, delightfully set along twisting roads and in mysterious dark forests, both prominent features of Bhutanese travel.
The Cup (Khyentse Norbu) follows the antics of trainee Tibetan monks obsessed with seeing the finals of the football World Cup.
The Other Final (Johan Kramer) is a nicely crafted record of what happens when the world’s bottom team, Monserratt, meets second from bottom, Bhutan; of course football is the winner.
Words of my Perfect Teacher (Lesley Ann Patten) is a documentary that follows renowned reincarnate film maker Khyentse Norbu around the globe as he blesses, teaches and inspires the faithful.
Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon (BBC) follows the Ab Fab star as she in turn follows the footsteps her grandfather, Lt Col JLR Weir, taken through Bhutan in 1931.
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The Blessings of Bhutan by Russ and Blyth Carpenter is an informative and entertaining account