One of the greatest cities of the Himalaya, Kathmandu, Nepal, is a unique blend of thous&-year-old cultural practices & 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 & its many instances of self-reinvention. Closed to the outside world until 1951 & 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, & 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 & accessible chronicle for anyone eager to learn more about this fascinating city.