| Author: |
Pervez A. Khan |
| Publisher: |
Ferozsons |
Description:
Pervez A. Khan seems to have mastered the topography, culture and history of the Karakorum. An accomplished mountaineer and a naturalist, the author through the course of his account mentions the most intricate of details about the region.
Review:
The Karakorum with its unpredictable terrain and hostile climate proves to be quite a challenge even to the most established of mountaineers. Though not quite as vast as some of the other mountain ranges of the world, The Karakorum is home to 50 of the 110 highest peaks in the world.  As if this wasn’t enough, 5 of the largest glaciers in the world(outside the sub-polar regions) also form part of the region’s topography. Perhaps this is the reason why Keith Miller, an eminent English geologist feels that it is the greatest range of mountains in the world.
| DesiStore # |
PBH00801 |
| ISBN |
969-0-102257 |
| Edition |
First |
| Year |
1996 |
| Pages |
160 |
| Weight (kg) |
1.59 |
| Shipping Weight (lbs) |
4.01 |
| Pics (color) |
85 |
| Pics (b/w) |
105 |
| HB/PB |
Hard Back |
|
Having been part of no less than 14 expeditions to the Karakorum, Pervez A. Khan seems to have mastered the topography, culture and history of the Karakorum. A mountaineer, naturalist, with a keen interest in mountain photography, all his skills are on display as one goes through the book.
One will be amazed at the diversity of the terrain neatly captured in photographs by Pervez A. Khan. The threatening black and white features of the mountains in some of the higher regions give way to the blazing hot deserts of the Baltistan. 
Being a naturalist, the flora and fauna of the region are also given a place in this comprehensive tribute to The Karakorum. The Marco Polo sheep and the blue sheep are high in demand among the western hunters. Major predators that inhabit the land include The Brown Bear, The Wolf and the most beautiful of all mountain creatures-The Snow Leopard.
Some of the tales that are told are quite engaging as well. The legend of Siri Badat, the tyrannical ruler of Gilgit succumbing to his cannibalistic appetite and feasting on an infant child everyday, is a must read. Stories of espionage by the British using the Muslims and the Hindus as guinea pigs in the well-protected and unforgiving regions of the Karakorum are well documented. 
Read about The Prophets of Hunza, smoking burning juniper and drinking goat’s blood before going into a frenzy of sorts and prophesizing the future.
A unique combination of natural history, geography and folklore, The Wonders of the Karakorum holds a universal appeal. To him who appreciates nature this book is an invaluable asset and as for the not so serious types, numerous interesting stories could add to their collection of camp-fire tales.
Wonders of the Karakorum
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