Kathmandu

One of the greatest cities of the Himalaya, Kathmandu, Nepal, is a unique blend of thousand-year-old cultural practices and accelerated urban development. In this book, Thomas Bell recounts his experiences from his many years in the city—exploring in the process the rich history of Kathmandu and its many instances of self-reinvention.    
Closed to the outside world until 1951 and trapped in a medieval time warp, Kathmandu is, as Bell argues, a jewel of the art world, a carnival of sexual license, a hotbed of communist revolution, a paradigm of failed democracy, a case study in bungled western intervention, and an environmental catastrophe. In important ways, Kathmandu’s rapid modernization can be seen as an extreme version of what is happening in other traditional societies.  Bell also discusses the ramifications of the recent Nepal earthquake.
A comprehensive look at a top global destination, Kathmandu is an entertaining and accessible chronicle for anyone eager to learn more about this fascinating city.
 

• While the Gods Were Sleeping: A Journey Through Love and Rebellion in Nepal
• Lonely Planet Nepal (Travel Guide)
• The Living Goddess: A Journey Into the Heart of Kathmandu
• The Snow Leopard (Penguin Classics)
• Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal
• The Rough Guide to Nepal (Rough Guides)
• House of Snow: An Anthology of the Greatest Writing About Nepal
• Lonely Planet Nepali Phrasebook & Dictionary
• The Royal Ghosts: Stories
• Arresting God in Kathmandu