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Radio Shangri-La

Radio Shangri-La
What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth
by Lisa Napoli
Published in USA Feb 2011,
304 pages.

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Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Laurette A. (New York)
Visiting the "Happiest Place on Earth"
"Radio Shangri-La" is part travel guide, part historical narrative and part adventure story, and well worth reading. As a journalist, Lisa Napoli was long acquainted with the hustle and bustle of working in the media profession, but nothing had prepared her for life in Bhutan, and in "Radio Shangri-La" she shares her extraordinary experiences with the readers. An unexpected encounter leads to her invitation to visit the tiny Himalayan nation dubbed "the happiest place on earth" and volunteer as a consultant at the start-up radio station Kuzoo FM; a station so young and new that by comparison, the average middle-class teenager in the U.S. had an iPod with a bigger hard drive than the one that engined Kuzoo. Bhutan is a poor nation, but as Ms. Napoli learns, it is overflowing with a sense of community and interconnectedness and it doesn't take her long to fall in love with the country and its people. In the course of her time there she comes to realize that the ingredients for happiness are simple: giving, loving, and contentment with where you are and who you are. I highly recommend you read this book and experience a little bit of Bhutan for yourself.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Betty T. (Warner Robins, Georgia)
Happiness Achieved!
Lisa Napoli's description of "the happiest place on earth" certainly made me happy. Ms. Napoli writes beautifully of her visits to Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom that few are privileged to visit. Her descriptions reminded me of my visits to Thailand where I found the people and the land to be utterly charming. The king of Bhutan works hard to preserve the culture even as the Western world slowly invades the land. Once television was allowed into Bhutan there was no stopping this invasion. There is also the first-time visit to America from one of Ms. Napoli's new Bhutanese friends. We "see" America through Ngawang's eyes which is sometimes humorous and sometimes very revealing of our values.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Darlene M. (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Radio Shangri-La
I loved reading this book. My husband and I visited Bhutan 20 years ago and were fascinated by the country. This book gives you a glimpse of how modern technology such as television, radio and outside influences are changing the country. You decide if it has been positive or negative!!!!

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Christine K. (Yakima, WA)
Radio Shangri-La
I did not think I would enjoy this book a great deal, but must say that I have. Lisa Napoli is simply talking to you as she relates her story. I so appreciated her insight and growth, which she states so well and clearly. Her ability in giving backgrounds to people and happenings made the reader understand Bhutan, its people and the affect this place had on Lisa. This would be a good book for book clubs.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Angelina A. (New York, NY)
Charming Country
People undergo changes all the time. Using a physical location to map and understand a midlife crisis was clever. The book provided insight into Bhutan - the culture and the people there. The differences between all the worlds (personal and political) was a comforting read.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by sadie
Kinda interesting; kinda meh
What a great idea this book's premise spins...skilled/experienced radio correspondent prime & eager to live a more rewarding and meaningful life opts to move to the kingdom of happiness (Bhutan) to offer her services in establishing Radio Kuzoo. Scans great. Actual execution...not as jazzy. I liked the author's writing style but there wasn't much depth or, ironically, description of personal growth. What's more, the cultural commentary felt like a series of asides. I wanted more. I expected more. Still, it was a pleasant read. Just not as engaging as I had hoped.
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