Sherpas: Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal [Hardcover]

James F. Fisher (Author), Edmond Hillary (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1990

James Fisher combines the strengths of technical anthropology, literary memoir, and striking photography in this telling study of rapid social change in Himalayan Nepal. The author first visited the Sherpas of Nepal when he accompanied Sir Edmund Hilary on the Himalayan Schoolhouse Expedition of 1964. Returning to the Everest region several times during the 1970s and 1980s, he discovered that the construction of the schools had far less impact than one of the by-products of their building: a short-take-off-and-landing airstrip. By reducing the time it took to travel between Kathmandu and the Everest region from a hike of several days to a 45-minute flight, the airstrip made a rapid increase in tourism possible. Beginning with his impressions of Sherpa society in pre-tourist days, Fisher traces the trajectory of contemporary Sherpa society reeling under the impact of modern education and mass tourism, and assesses the Sherpa's concerns for their future and how they believe these problems should be and eventually will be resolved.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James F. Fisher is Professor of Anthropology at Carleton College and the author of Trans-Himalayan Traders: Economy, Society, and Culture in Northwest Nepal (California, 1986).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (May 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520067703
• ISBN-13: 978-0195626834
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,500,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Insight on the Sherpas of Nepal, March 30, 2000

By 

Gyan Pradhan (Fulton, Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherpas: Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal (Paperback)

A very informative and readable book. The author provides a thoughtful and moving account of the Sherpas and how their community is being transformed by the forces of modernization. The book is well-researched, thorough, and balanced. The author's personal accounts and anecdotes that cover a quarter of a century, complemented by excellent photographs, are particular strengths. Excellent reading for anyone with an interest in the Sherpas of Nepal.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knows Sherpa economy and values, January 24, 2001

By 

Barbara Pijan "Uttarabhadrapada4" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sherpas: Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal (Paperback)

James Fisher worked with Edmund Hillary in the early 1960's to establish the early Sherpa schools in Khumjung and Jung Gompa (Junbesi) as well as the medical supplies landing strips at Lukla and Phaplu. Thus he learned first hand the basics of Sherpa culture and economy; he had a good working understanding of Sherpa moral values, too.

Returning to USA for PhD in Anthropology, Prof. Fisher developed a theoretical understanding of human society. He then coupled theory with his practical knowledge of Sherpa life, and did several outstanding studies of Sherpa culture which ask the right questions of the appropriate spokespeople resulting in culturally accurate answers.

Sherpa Friendship Association always recommends Sherpas: Reflections on Change as the first book anyone should read to answer the vital questions: what is happening to Sherpa society now? Is Sherpa religion dead? Have Sherpa values collapsed into generic materialism? Many folks recently returned from Himalayan trekking or those studying vajrayana buddhism, as well as Sherpa leaders, are very concerned to find these answers. You will find Prof. Fisher's answers accurate and positive, because he does not ask random informants (or informants with mischievious motivation) like many other anthroplogists who go on to write books on Sherpas.

Essentially, Fisher's interviews show that Sherpa culture remains vibrant, moral, and strongly religious. Great book, highly recommended!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Insight into the Sherpas of Nepal, March 30, 2000

By 

Gyan Pradhan (Fulton, Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherpas: Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal (Paperback)

A very informative and readable book. The author provides a thoughtful and moving account of the Sherpas and how their community is being transformed by the forces of modernization. The book is well-researched, thorough, and balanced. The author's personal accounts and anecdotes that cover a quarter of a century, complemented by excellent photographs, are particular strengths. Excellent reading for anyone with an interest in the Sherpas of Nepal.