Last Forbidden Kingdom [Hardcover]

Clara Marullo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1995

Closed to foreigners for more than 30 years, Mustang, a tiny feudal kingdom in the Himalayas, has existed in virtual isolation from the rest of the world. Although politically part of Nepal, Mustang is linked by religion, culture and history to Tibet, and stands alone as one of the last pure Tibetan cultures existing today. In 1992 restrictions were eased. Clara Marullo and Vanessa Boeye were among the few foreigners who made the journey to Mustang. This book is an account of their journey, and a view of the society that exists there. With its photographs, it also acts as a visual record of the landscape in this country. However, this is an environment under threat. Now open to the West, the landsape and all that is contained in it is open to change, and the survival of Mustang's ancient traditions is questionable. The final part of the book examines the potential problems of modernization and highlights the need to protect Mustang from the influences of tourism.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Tibetan culture is threatened with extinction at the hands of the Chinese, but there is one relatively intact outpost: the tiny mountain desert kingdom of Mustang. Nearly unchanged by time or politics, Mustang juts up into western Tibet, stark, grand, and, until very recently, sealed off from the rest of the world. Marullo surveys Mustang history, both natural and human, describing the land, the culture, and the spectacular monasteries filled with masterpieces of Tibetan religious art. Here, as Marullo explains, "Buddhism is less a faith than a metaphysic, and as such underlies every aspect of life." To survive in a place as remote as this, where the mountains are so immense and close to heaven they are unquestionably sacred, a society must achieve balance and harmony with nature, and indeed the people of Mustang are resourceful and strong. But now that Mustang's borders have been partially opened by China, Mustang's hold on what is left of Tibetan culture has become even more tenuous. Perhaps this book, with its luminous, dramatic, and richly detailed photographs, will help outsiders understand Mustang's plight. Donna Seaman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (October 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804830614
• ISBN-13: 978-0804830614
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,968,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are going to buy only one book before trekking to Upper Mustang, this is the book. The photos are spectacular., September 29, 2009

By 

Jerome Ryan (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Forbidden Kingdom: Mustang - Land of Tibetan Buddhism (Hardcover)

The authors visited Upper Mustang just after it was opened for tourism in 1992. There are over 150 photos, about a third full page or larger.

Marullo gfives a brief overview of Upper Mustang's history and describes the trek to Lo Manthang. The way of life is detailed including nomads, the role of the King, details of village and family life, children, education, weddings, doctors and death, livestock, and planting and harvesting crops. Buddhism is woven into the fabric of everyday life with Marullo detailing the spectacular monasteries filled with masterpieces of Tibetan religious art. She closes with a diuscussion on conservation and tousism.

If you are going to buy only one book before trekking to Upper Mustang, this is the book. The photos are spectacular. The text is fairly basic, but excellent as an overview.