«This book presents a refreshing new look at Nepal's development from heterogeneous ethnicities and traditions into an emerging nation state, situated both inside and outside the Indian 'Great Tradition.' Axel Michaels excels in deliberating alternative views of many contested points, frequently adding his own decades-long personal experiences.»

Michael Witzel, Harvard University

«Drawing on the author's own extensive Indological and ethnographic research, this book provides an excellent survey of Nepal's culture and history and is particularly valuable for its treatment of religion and art.»

John Whelpton, Author of A History of Nepal

«Few of those who have tried to write the history of Nepal are equally competent in handling ancient Sanskrit inscriptions, medieval chronicles, priestly handbooks, and contemporary politics. Axel Michaels - polymath, founder of Ethno-Indologie, and long at the heart of the German scholarly community working on Nepal - has all these competencies and more, so a new history of Nepal from his hand is both highly welcome and likely to stand for a long time as an essential guide to the country.»

David N. Gellner, University of Oxford

«Kaleidoscopic and comprehensive, this cultural history of Nepal is a triumph. From prehistory to the current political moment, this extraordinary and multidisciplinary monograph engages with primary and secondary sources in a great number of languages to tell the story of Nepal in a way that invites deeper understanding and prompts critical reflection. Readers are indeed fortunate to have Axel Michaels as their expert guide, as he navigates complex terrain with agility and insight. In no short time, Nepal: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present will be a core text for all scholars in the humanities and social sciences interested in South Asia.»

Mark Turin, University of British Columbia