The book Himalaya by Broughton Coburn is a beautiful journey through the scenic mountain range accompanied by text that helps to lend a deeper meaning to each of the photos. With shots from throughout the Himalaya’s are photos of the culture, regional lifestyle, environmental landscapes, and some of the unique animals that call the mountain range their only home. Published by National Geographic Books, the photo selection presented through the 256 pages is unique and varied enough that it offers only the best vantage point to explore the renowned mountain range through. For those who will never make the trek themselves, it is a great way to experience the journey through the eyes of others.
The photos themselves pay homage to the humanitarian efforts and tiny cultures that are hidden throughout the Himalayans with vivid photos and vivid text that will help show off the unique history, diversity and the potential for the precious ways of life to disappear. Even without the text, the region speaks for itself throughout the photos telling tales of the lives and simple goals of those who live in the various regions. Some might consider it a guide via pictures, but it is more a simple glimpse into a simple lifestyle that has long been forgotten by those who live in the modern world.
Typical of the photos and content found within the Himalayans are photos that depict young children racing on mules to village mansions that sit atop precarious mountain sides hosting entire groups of people. Other typical images may include long icicles that drip down from the mountain range and pictures of the Buddhist hermitages that spot the mountain tops showing the inner peace and calming effects of the giant mountains to readers.