About the Author

Nicholas Shoumatoff is an entomologist and retired mechanical engineer.

Nina Shoumatoff studied literature and philosophy.

The two have trekked and hiked widely in the mountain regions of Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Alps, the Appalachians, the Tetons, the Pacific Northwest, and the Caribbean, on which they have lectured and published separately and together. On the first of their two expeditions to Central Asia they carried the Explorers Club Flag through four now-independent republics; on their second trip they participated in three international mountaineering camps among the highest peaks of the Pamir. Nicholas is a fellow emeritus of the Explorers Club, a member of the American Alpine Club, a research associate of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and coauthor of a monograph on the butterflies of Afghanistan.

Reviews

". . . opens to the reader a unique, panoramic view of a remote fastness--the high mountain world of the Heart of Asia. Available for the first time in English are the writings of Vladimir Ratzek, Anatoly Ovtchinnikov, and Omir Agakhanyantz. First-hand accounts are illustrated with photographs and paintings of spectacular landscapes, rich natural life, and remote peoples, and contain descriptions of local customs of family and pastoral life, tent architecture, native crafts, hospitality, courtship, religion, games, sports, and bazaars."
--American Alpine News
-- "American Alpine News" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"Adding their own accounts to those of an array of international experts, the authors have given us a fascinating and humorous look at adventures in the high mountain region of Central Asia, an area Nick calls 'an immense luminous shrine to its creator.'"
--Mt. Kisco Book Co. News
-- "Mt. Kisco Book Co. News" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"American travelers, climbers, and general readers will find much of interest in this unusual and informative book."
--American Alpine Journal
-- "American Alpine Journal" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"In this timely book, the ancient traditions of Central Asia's uplands are presented both in their diversity and as part of a single mountain culture. I very much hope this novel approach will help to generate respect for the unique but fast-disappearing way of life of the Tibetan people and their neighbors on the roof of the world."
--His Holiness the Dalai Lama
--His Holiness the Dalai Lama (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"More travelogue than text on mountaineering, this book is important reading for those interested in visiting these remote regions."
--Explorers Journal
-- "Explorers Journal" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"Reading Around the Roof of the World is like finding a set of old journals and magazines in a library somewhere in Asia that are so engrossing you find yourself unable to leave to experience the real environment outside the door on a clear sunny day. These refreshingly genuine accounts of real adventures and scientists have been written for others of like mind, instead of for the general public."
--Galen Rowell, Mountain Light Photography
--Galen Rowell, Mountain Light Photography (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"Remote and intriguing, Central Asia remains little known in the West. The book offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into a mysterious world."
--George B. Schaller, Zoologist, honorary member of the Explorers Club, and author of Mountain Monarchs
--George B. Schaller, Zoologist, honorary member of the Explorers Club, and author (4/8/1999 12:00:00 AM)

"The chapters by Russian climbers were wonderful to read. They brought back many memories. Russian climbers are among the finest in the world, yet the English-speaking mountaineering community rarely learns of their exploits. This book gives us a glimpse into the world of mountaineering--Russian style--and the courage of the men and women who climb by the 'rules.'"
--Dana Isherwood, Leader, 1978 and 1979 American Pamir Expeditions
--Dana Isherwood, Leader, 1978 and 1979 American Pamir Expeditions (4/8/1999 12:00:00 AM)

". . . opens to the reader a unique, panoramic view of a remote fastness--the high mountain world of the Heart of Asia. Available for the first time in English are the writings of Vladimir Ratzek, Anatoly Ovtchinnikov, and Omir Agakhanyantz. First-hand accounts are illustrated with photographs and paintings of spectacular landscapes, rich natural life, and remote peoples, and contain descriptions of local customs of family and pastoral life, tent architecture, native crafts, hospitality, courtship, religion, games, sports, and bazaars."
--American Alpine News
-- "American Alpine News" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"Adding their own accounts to those of an array of international experts, the authors have given us a fascinating and humorous look at adventures in the high mountain region of Central Asia, an area Nick calls 'an immense luminous shrine to its creator.'"
--Mt. Kisco Book Co. News
-- "Mt. Kisco Book Co. News" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"American travelers, climbers, and general readers will find much of interest in this unusual and informative book."
--American Alpine Journal
-- "American Alpine Journal" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"In this timely book, the ancient traditions of Central Asia's uplands are presented both in their diversity and as part of a single mountain culture. I very much hope this novel approach will help to generate respect for the unique but fast-disappearing way of life of the Tibetan people and their neighbors on the roof of the world."
--His Holiness the Dalai Lama
--His Holiness the Dalai Lama (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"More travelogue than text on mountaineering, this book is important reading for those interested in visiting these remote regions."
--Explorers Journal
-- "Explorers Journal" (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"Reading Around the Roof of the World is like finding a set of old journals and magazines in a library somewhere in Asia that are so engrossing you find yourself unable to leave to experience the real environment outside the door on a clear sunny day. These refreshingly genuine accounts of real adventures and scientists have been written for others of like mind, instead of for the general public."
--Galen Rowell, Mountain Light Photography
--Galen Rowell, Mountain Light Photography (4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"Remote and intriguing, Central Asia remains little known in the West. The book offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into a mysterious world."
--George B. Schaller, Zoologist, honorary member of the Explorers Club, and author of Mountain Monarchs
--George B. Schaller, Zoologist, honorary member of the Explorers Club, and author (4/8/1999 12:00:00 AM)
"The chapters by Russian climbers were wonderful to read. They brought back many memories. Russian climbers are among the finest in the world, yet the English-speaking mountaineering community rarely learns of their exploits. This book gives us a glimpse into the world of mountaineering--Russian style--and the courage of the men and women who climb by the 'rules.'"
--Dana Isherwood, Leader, 1978 and 1979 American Pamir Expeditions
--Dana Isherwood, Leader, 1978 and 1979 American Pamir Expeditions (4/8/1999 12:00:00 AM)