Book excerpt: This authoritative, thorough volume covers a broad range of topics from history to culture to current struggles in these fascinating countries. Often overshadowed on the world stage by issues surrounding India and Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are nonetheless vital players in this theater of Asia. Nepal and Bangladesh brings a refreshing level of clarity to a wide variety of topics surrounding both nations including history, current affairs, business and economics, culture, literature, political science, and travel. Written in a voice that speaks to general audiences from secondary instructors to interested business people and travelers to the region, this handbook paints a portrait of both countries that is at once complete and accessible. Beginning with far-reaching narrative histories of both nations the text also contains a compendium of important people and events and concludes with an exhaustive reference section.