This book is an excellent companion piece to Jon Krakauer's epic Everest tale "Into Thin Air" as well as the Everest IMAX film that was being shot at the time that the May 1996 trajedy occurred. The book is coffee table size, and full of spectacular photographs of the mountain, mostly taken by the IMAX team. The narrative that accompanies the images documents what happened during that terrible month, from the horrific deaths to climber David Breashears's team's successful summitting of the mountain with IMAX camera in tow. The words read like a National Geographic article, however, giving only an overview of the events that occurred. Krakauer's book is essential for a complete understanding of what happened.

Overall, a fine coffee table book for those with an interest in mountaineering as well as those fascinated by the May 1996 disaster.

The story of the IMAX team on Everest in the year of the tragedy in 1996. A large format coffee table style book with plenty of pictures and more text than a typical coffee table book. The book is beautifully bound. The cover and paper is top quality. The text covers about half on the actual expedition, and about half on the life, customs, and beliefs of the Sherpas. This book isn't just about the tragedy. It concerns itself more with the Sherpas. Some of the technical aspects of filming at high altitude was covered as well as effects of high altitude mountaineering on the human body. If you are looking for different viewpoints on the tragedy, this book doesn't really throw any more light on the subject. If you're interested in Sherpa culture, high altitude mountaineering, and a beautiful coffee table book, this is it.

If you are a Mt. Everest "groupie" like me, you need this book! After reading "Into Thin Air," I became fascinated with this mountain and the humans who try to conquer it every season. Next, I read "The Climb." I enjoyed both, but it wasn't until I saw "Everest: Mountain Without Mercy" that I really had a feel for the power and majesty of the mountain. The photographs are stunning. Finally, I could picture what I had read in the two previous books. The articles that are interspersed with the story of the IMAX expedition are also fascinating to read. Reading this book has been the culmination of my Everest trifecta! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the mountain.

You may think that there is no new mileage in another story concerning the everest disaster of 1996. That particular chapter in the mountains history has been chronicled many times, most notably by jon Krakauer in into thin air and David Breashears in high exposure. However, Jamling Norgay has taken a slightly different perspective in this book, choosing to concentrate on the inter relationships between himself, his father, the IMAX climbing team, the victims of the tragedy, his wife, family and last but not least, his faith. The buddhism aspect of this book is by far the most interesting tenet of touching my fathers soul. The divinations received by Jamling from his respected lamas showing an uneering premonition for the immediate future. Although the IMAX climb is central to the book, it becomes secondary to Jamlings obvious soul searching. If you want to read about the IMAX climb, buy high exposure. If you want to know about the 1996 disaster, buy into thin air. If you wish for elements of both of these and a more spiritual interpretation of everest, buy this. It Makes you think

Norbu Norgay narrates the audio book of his brother Jamling Norgay's spiritually moving tribute to their enigmatic father Tenzing Norgay, Himalayan Sherpa people and Mount Everest, they call Chomolungma. With relationships to India, Nepal, Tibet, and America, always his father's son, he provides insights into the convergence of diverse cultures for ultimate mountaineering. Jamling's remarkable journey skillfully entwines his 1996 summit climb, for David Breashears' IMAX movie "Everest" with the footsteps of his father's 1953 historic premiere Everest summit climb with New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary. Sherpa religion teaches reverence for the gods, nature and to reach Everest's summit may mean death. They never take the smallest detail for granted because "many flakes of snow may cover an entire mountain with snow." This compelling book helps to answer why climb mountains, and ultimately celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.

Touching My Father's Soul traces Jamling Norgay's two journeys: (i) to the top of Everest with the 1996 IMAX expedition, and (ii) his inner search for spirituality and how to grapple with his father's legacy. It is this latter journey that makes this book a welcome addition to the many books already written about the 1996 Everest disaster and, more generally, about climbing Everest, as his perspective as a Buddhist Sherpa has not been articulated before.

Although Jamling Norgay's story provided the emotional backbone of the IMAX movie, the movie didn't really provide a full portrait of the man, or the way in which he had to grapple with his father's legacy. The book really helps flesh out his character and his spiritual reawakening. Although it's not as gripping as Into Thin Air, for example, the book is reasonably well written and is a page turner in its own right.

I wouldn't buy this book solely to try to find a lot of additional information about the 1996 Everest disaster or much "behind the scenes" information about the Everest IMAX movie, as it really doesn't add much new. Instead, it is a heart-felt story of one man's journey and perspective on Everest.

As a final note - if you have the opportunity to see Jamling Norgay's book tour in support of Touching My Father's Soul, I would highly recommend it. I attended the book signing in Washington, and he has a very interesting 40 minute slide show.

A difficult book to slog through, what with the author's heavy handed commentary, wooden dialogue, awkwardly constructed scenes and cloying sentiment. What a wonderful opportunity, and what a terrific character Aama could have been! As poor as the writing is, it could have been made better by a good editor, but that opportunity seems to have been lost as well. Finally, as a character in his own book, the author is less than sympathetic, to put it mildly. His girlfriend, Didi, and Aama must have had a lot of patience -- more than I had reading this book.

This book finds a personal meaning for each person who will read it. Mr. Coburn takes his "adopted Mother"/friend, Aama, an elderly Nepalese woman, to his home--America. Aama has been confined to her village all of her life, but she realizes that this journey will be the last. This is scary for her, but she also realizes it is important that she have this experience. As I read this book, I became aware of how my view of America was numbed by ethnocentric attitudes. What I had taken for granted, felt assured of, was realigned by Aama and her fresh observations. Thank you, Mr. Coburn, for the introduction. Since this reading, I have tried to slow down, listen, and respect my surroundings. Too gushy? Too real, is more like it. America is beautiful, yet embarassing, as you travel with Aama through the natural beauty of our land and waters, to the modernity and wastes of our culture. This is not a book by a major novelist or writer, but who cares? I'm glad he shared what became a major life passage for him. Namaste.

I found this book to be absolutely delightful! Seeing America through Aama's eyes was rather refreshing - how right she was about so many things. We Americans are not as reverent to our Creator as we should be, nor do we give Him thanks for all He has given us. And how refreshing to see a human being enjoy things with utter and thankful delight, without reserve, cynicism or skepticism! Besides, the book was just plain funny. Aama's thoughts and interpretations of the sights and events she experiences in America are hilarious and heart warming. I found myself wanting to hug her tight and talk to her so I could see life the way she does and learn from her. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I don't think the author belittles Aama at all. He is quite honest about the times when he knows he didn't appreciate her like he should of - he admits he was wrong at times. In the end, he realizes he has loved her with his whole heart and he is grateful for having known her.

I will admit, however, that at times, I was a little concerned about exactly where his head was when it came to his relationship with Didi. I trust that they are still together and enjoying living their lives together.

A good, fun, light-hearted read that makes you quietly think about the more important things of life!!!