South Asia

order:
Johann Schiltberger's "The Bondage and Travels of Johann Schiltberger"
5.8
Turkey

Johann Schiltberger

Is this guy our average Joe from the Middle Ages?

The Bondage And Travels Of Johann Schiltberger, A Native Of Bavaria, In Europe, Asia, And Africa | 1394 | 33 years | Turkey | ship, caravan, walking
Ella Maillart's "Forbidden Journey"
5.8
China

Ella Maillart

If Fleming is the more gifted writer, then why is this book better than his?

Forbidden Journey – From Peking to Cashmir | 1935 | 6 months | China | caravan
Peter Fleming's "News from Tartary"
6
China

Peter Fleming

Would a little less irony have made this book even better?

News from Tartary - A Journey from Peking to Kashmir | 1935 | 6 months | China | caravan
Fernão Mendes Pinto's "Pilgrimage"
5
India

Fernão Mendes Pinto

If this is one of the classics of Portuguese literature, why is it such a slow read?

Pilgrimage | 1537 | 21 years | India | ship, caravan
6
Himalayas

Jon Krakauer

Do we really care whose fault it was, or can we just accept that mountains are deadly sometimes?

Into Thin Air | 1996 | 4 months | Himalayas | mountaineering