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ashnene's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been going through a Tibet phase. So far I’ve read books by Sir Charles Bell (worth a read), Han Suyin (propaganda), and then I discovered this one. This is a wonderful book depicting life in Tibet before the Chinese invasion. The author entered Tibet as a penniless refugee determined to penetrate the Forbidden City and left as the tutor and close friend of the Dalai Lama. The book starts with his daring escape from a PoW camp in India and describes how he tried to stay in Tibet despite official disapproval. He eventually made it to Lhasa and obtained permission to stay, spending several years among new friends.
His descriptions of social customs and monastic life are interesting and objective. While not religious himself, he maintains an open mind to the beliefs of his hosts. The Tibetans showed great hospitality, helping him settle down and he showed his gratitude by assimilating to their way of life.
The book ends with his escape after the invasion. Tibet would never be the same again. Heinrich Harrer laments the loss of independence for a peace loving people and the destruction of their society. He became one of the proponents of Tibetan independence.
The only thing I can complain is a lack of dialogue which would have made it more vivid.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in Tibet. Also recommend the movie.
His descriptions of social customs and monastic life are interesting and objective. While not religious himself, he maintains an open mind to the beliefs of his hosts. The Tibetans showed great hospitality, helping him settle down and he showed his gratitude by assimilating to their way of life.
The book ends with his escape after the invasion. Tibet would never be the same again. Heinrich Harrer laments the loss of independence for a peace loving people and the destruction of their society. He became one of the proponents of Tibetan independence.
The only thing I can complain is a lack of dialogue which would have made it more vivid.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in Tibet. Also recommend the movie.
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book.
I quite enjoyed this adventure!
I found it a very interesting story, filled with intrigue.
A window into a culture / people seldom seen.
Just an interesting book in intirety.
Would recommend, if you can find this book.
4.6/5
I quite enjoyed this adventure!
I found it a very interesting story, filled with intrigue.
A window into a culture / people seldom seen.
Just an interesting book in intirety.
Would recommend, if you can find this book.
4.6/5
inthedark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book is a must read. I tend to think of “explorers” that found frontiers hundreds of years ago - it is with great awe I read of Harrer’s journey into Tibet, discovering an entirely new culture and land only 100 years ago. You will become enthralled learning about Tibetan culture, and of the sad history of the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Definitely a favorite book of mine now.
tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable read. I saw the movie a long time ago and barely remember it, but I think the movie only covers a tiny portion of the book and alters that tiny part quite a bit. So, from that misty recollection, I would say the book is much better. I read the book already knowing a fair amount about the politics involving Tibet and China, and this gave a nice backdrop of culture to that through the nonfiction tale of simply a grand adventure.
pingthevile's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting account of Harrer's journey. The first half of the book, I thought, was much more interesting... the details and stories of their journey through Tibet. Once he got into Lhasa, it was less interesting to me and was quite dry, though it had some ups and downs.