The Brahmaputra is one of the world's great rivers. Beginning as a tiny glacial stream in Western Tibet it flows through India and Bangladesh before gushing out into the Bay of Bengal. Unable to reach the northern part of the river due to Chinese intransigence, Mark Shand nonetheless set out to attempt what no foreigner had ever done: complete the huge journey from the unexplored jungles of the Indo-Tibet border to the largest river delta in the world. "River Dog" is a chronicle of that journey, a story encompassing sublime landscapes - in Assam where the River begins to broaden into its full majesty - and rather odd encounters - including a bizarre group of identical-looking gay monks in Majuli (the largest river island in the world). But it is also a celebration - of a river that flows with mystery and legend, the men who have set out to discover it and a rather charming canine travelling companion called Bhaiti.

'A rare blend of humour, humanity and eloquent description. At its heart is Shand himself, an adventurer with strains of brilliant madness running through his veins' LITERARY REVIEW

'Travel writing at its best. RIVER DOG takes us on a journey where the tempo never flags' MAIL ON SUNDAY

'Old-fashioned, ripping stuff' TLS

'Shand finds comic potential in every situation. Utterly readable' HARPERS & QUEEN

'Mark Shand makes travel writing look far too easy. He is warm, wise, witty patient, persistent and observant.' FINANCIAL TIMES

'Shand takes great pleasure in describing all the eccentric characters and sights he encounters along the way, and his accounts of his misadventures. You can read Shand's book in one of two ways: either as a lighthearted story of his-adventures or as a fascinating account of the area and its history. Shand manages to combine the two for a travelogue that will inspire any potential traveller or entertain any couch potato.' IRISH TATLER

'Funny and evocative.' U MAGAZINE

'It makes him an inspirational ambassador for India and this book should be required reading for anyone who wants or needs to know how this extraordinary country works.' COUNTRY LIFE

Mark Shand has worked at Sotheby's and as a jackaroo in Australia, has completed the London-Sydney motor-race and been shipwrecked in the South Pacific. In 1991 he received the accolade Travel Writer of the Year at the British Book Awards for TRAVELS ON MY ELEPHANT.