Just finished an excellent book, Himalaya by Michael Palin of Monty Python fame.
Palin is far better known now for his adventure travel documentaries on BBC TV. In fact, this book is the companion to Himalaya, the TV series available on DVD (2004).
Instead of reading the book, I bought it on Audible.com (about US$12) as Palin reads his own prose. And reads it very well. Both informative and amusing.
I recommend Palin to one and all. (The audio version is much lighter to take with you hiking.)
Himalaya – the book – Amazon
Michael Palin – Wikipedia
A second book was produced from Palin’s 6 month trip featuring the photos taken on the Himalayan journey by his official photographer:
Inside Himalaya – Basil Pao
besthike.com 
I’m a huge fan of Palin, both on Python and his travel series. Around the World in 80 Days was great, and each of the others has been wonderful since. Both the book and the series for Himalaya are excellent.
His most recent journey has just begun airing on BBC, and it’s called Palin’s New Europe as he travels through the countries in Eastern Europe, seeing how they’ve changed since the fall of the Iron Curtain. No word on a U.S. airing just yet though.