Firmly in the school of offhand, bumbling British exploration, this book is hardly handicapped by the fact that its author had never been near the Himalayas. It's a spoof, a hoot -- and called the funniest book he's ever read by Bill Bryson (which may give you some idea of Bowman's brand of scathing humor). Originally published in 1956. The publisher says Bowman was inspired by Tilman's escapades on Nandi Devi. Regardless, you'll be rolling with his send up of the oh-so-British, isn't-suffering-grand, stiff-upper-lip. A comic masterpiece, deliciously deadpan.  (HML55, $15.95)