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Lost in Tibet: The Untold Story Of Five American Airmen, A Doomed Plane, And The Will To Survive
Caught in a violent storm and blown far off their intended course, five American airmen--flying the dangerous Himalayan supply route known as "The Hump"--were forced to bail out just seconds before their plane ran out of fuel. To their astonishment, they found they had landed in the heart of Tibet. There they had to confront what, to them, seemed a bizarre--even alien--people. At the same time, they had to extricate themselves from the political turmoil that even then was raging around Tibet's right to be independent from China.
Now back in print, Lost in Tibet is an extraordinary story of high adventure that sheds light on the remarkable Tibetan people, just at the moment when they were coming to terms with a hostile outside world.
Now back in print, Lost in Tibet is an extraordinary story of high adventure that sheds light on the remarkable Tibetan people, just at the moment when they were coming to terms with a hostile outside world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
19 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Richard Starks
12 books7 followersRichard Starks is a former journalist, editor and publisher, and is now a full-time writer.
"My latest book (cowritten with Miriam Murcutt) is a novel, In A Town Called Paradox, which is set in 1950s Utah when the Big Five Hollywood studios arrived to film their blockbuster movies. Part of the plot is centered on the making of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The opening line sets the scene: I wasn't looking for Marilyn Monroe when I bumped into her...
"My other books include a couple of financial thrillers and the novelization of a horror-movie script by the director David Cronenberg. I've also written for television.
"My non-fiction books include a (mercifully short) economics book, and four narrative non-fiction titles, all co-authored by Miriam Murcutt."
These are:
Lost in Tibet (published by The Lyons Press; it tells the story of five US airmen who, in 1943, were forced to bail out of their plane over Tibet);
Along the River that Flows Uphill - from the Orinoco to the Amazon (published first by Haus Publishing and now also a Kindle ebook; it tells the story of a journey that Miriam Murcutt and I took along a strange river in Venezuela called the Casiquiare);
A Room with a Pew - sleeping our way through Spain's ancient monasteries (published by The Lyons Press; it tells the story of another journey we took, this time through Spain, where we stayed exclusively in ancient monasteries); and
Greenland for $1.99 (published by Prestwicke Publishing as a Kindle ebook; it gives an account of journey we made inside the Arctic Circle)."
"My latest book (cowritten with Miriam Murcutt) is a novel, In A Town Called Paradox, which is set in 1950s Utah when the Big Five Hollywood studios arrived to film their blockbuster movies. Part of the plot is centered on the making of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The opening line sets the scene: I wasn't looking for Marilyn Monroe when I bumped into her...
"My other books include a couple of financial thrillers and the novelization of a horror-movie script by the director David Cronenberg. I've also written for television.
"My non-fiction books include a (mercifully short) economics book, and four narrative non-fiction titles, all co-authored by Miriam Murcutt."
These are:
Lost in Tibet (published by The Lyons Press; it tells the story of five US airmen who, in 1943, were forced to bail out of their plane over Tibet);
Along the River that Flows Uphill - from the Orinoco to the Amazon (published first by Haus Publishing and now also a Kindle ebook; it tells the story of a journey that Miriam Murcutt and I took along a strange river in Venezuela called the Casiquiare);
A Room with a Pew - sleeping our way through Spain's ancient monasteries (published by The Lyons Press; it tells the story of another journey we took, this time through Spain, where we stayed exclusively in ancient monasteries); and
Greenland for $1.99 (published by Prestwicke Publishing as a Kindle ebook; it gives an account of journey we made inside the Arctic Circle)."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 9, 2018
I got this book as background for a book we are writing about botanical explorers in Tibet. It happens that one of the people we are writing about met the five airmen whose story is told here in Lhasa. I thought there might be a paragraph or so to help flesh out the background of our story, but it turns out to be just the sort of adventure tale I love, and to provide several paragraphs for our project. The adventure story is interwoven with thorough but by no means boring back story about the history of Tibet and its turbulent political relationship with its neighbours. Deserves to be made into a film.
February 23, 2011
Very disappointing book. 90% of this story was about the continual political issues regarding the conflicts between China and Tibet. There is very very little about the adventure of the 5 airman and very little of what the jacket blurb had entailed in regards to treacherous passages, death defying survival. For the most part after the pilots parachuted into Tibet when their plane ran out of fuel, they found a village quickly and from that point on were taken care of fairly well considering where they were at the time. I felt that I didn't get the story that was advertised and that alone was misleading. Although there were tidbits of Tibetan history that to learn were interesting, the execution of the story was truly dry and factual containing nothing but the Chinese/Tibetan revolution.
September 13, 2014
A good balance of an adventure story with just enough historical facts thrown in to ground it, "Lost In Tibet" is the true tale of how five American fighter pilots unexpectedly found themselves in a Tibet village where they were treated decently enough but also weren't allowed to leave by the Tibetan government until an investigation cleared them of being Chinese spies.
My only complaint of the work is that it ends very abruptly. Usually as you're reading you can feel a winding down. This does not happen here. Suddenly they're just free with only a paragraph here or there on what happened to the five in the aftermath.
My only complaint of the work is that it ends very abruptly. Usually as you're reading you can feel a winding down. This does not happen here. Suddenly they're just free with only a paragraph here or there on what happened to the five in the aftermath.
October 1, 2021
wonderfully writen, researched, historically correct, the saga of five men struggling for survival. The layout beautifully done, and the flow smooth and entertaining. A must read for those who want to understand Tibet, China, Japan and the WWII unsung heroes. Excellent, i could not put it down.
October 7, 2018
I loved this book... specially if you have traveled throughout that area in which I have. It is a political area, very disputed and extraordinarily beautiful. These book reflects in the political tension of that area and adventure of these airman.
February 28, 2015
A good book for anyone who has an interest ii, or some prior knowledge of Tibet. Entertaining, and well written.
March 11, 2018
Already having read Harrer's "Seven Years in Tibet" a few times, and more recently "The Radio Operator: Robert Ford’s Last Stand in the Fight to Save Tibet " it seems I have now gone full circle by also reading "Lost in Tibet: The Untold Story of Five American Airmen, a Doomed Plane, and the Will to Survive."
These three books tell what kind of country Tibet used to be "before the Chinese took over." Did I mention that I traveled Tibet in 1987.
What makes "Lost in Tibet" an absolutely outstanding book is that more than the other two it explains the political backdrop. On the surface, the events look like nothing unusual. An American plane gets carried from its path by a violent storm, the five man crew bails out, the plane crashes. The five airmen find themselves in Tibet.
Forget that they know nothing about Tibet, that some of them are a bit injured, that they have no idea how they can get back to civilization, their presence creates a series of unforeseen "disturbances." From Tibetans who are offended with their presence because they insulted the Dalai Lama by flying "in between him and the heavens," to Chinese diplomats who want to solidify their presence in Tibet and are worried that the plane crash is an Americans cover-up, to British and American diplomats who, theoretically, stand with Tibet as an independent country, but in light of World Wars II going on, have to keep their own interests in mind.
In the midst of these power struggles are the five airmen, who want to get back to their airbase but realize that in a country that has only one big stream, no paved roads, no electricity, only three cars without fuel, and happens to be on a high plateau half the size of Europe, elevation 12,000 to 16,000 feet, things are not that easy.
Having been in Tibet, I was most fascinated by authors' description how many factors had contributed to the Tibet becoming an autonomous province of China. The corrupt regent system, the Tibetans habit to postpone important decisions and following old rituals. and not taking the Chinese efforts as serious as they should have.
This must have something to do the Tibetan atmosphere. I traveled to Tibet in January 1987. Even though I flew from Chengdu to Lhasa, it was a very complicated trip. In January 1987, less than 50 foreigners were in town.
Visiting there and seeing Tibet, I thought, Tibet is eternal (just like the Tibetans described in this book) ... not much would and could change.
Just like the Tibetans did not see the danger, that China would take over, I was completely wrong with my guess.
In 2006, the Qinghai- Tibet Railway was be opened. Over 80% of the 709 miles long section between Golmud and Lhasa are at an elevation of over 13,000 feet.
In this book, authors Murcutt and Starks write, "...No land route across Tibet was ever built..." Because I knew that I did not think that the Chinese could build one railroad "up there", indeed, they are building a second line as I write this.
"Lost in Tibet: The Untold Story of Five American Airmen, a Doomed Plane, and the Will to Survive" is a fascinating book that also tells the story of how the Chinese take-over began.
The best book I read this year. This one I will reread.
5 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
These three books tell what kind of country Tibet used to be "before the Chinese took over." Did I mention that I traveled Tibet in 1987.
What makes "Lost in Tibet" an absolutely outstanding book is that more than the other two it explains the political backdrop. On the surface, the events look like nothing unusual. An American plane gets carried from its path by a violent storm, the five man crew bails out, the plane crashes. The five airmen find themselves in Tibet.
Forget that they know nothing about Tibet, that some of them are a bit injured, that they have no idea how they can get back to civilization, their presence creates a series of unforeseen "disturbances." From Tibetans who are offended with their presence because they insulted the Dalai Lama by flying "in between him and the heavens," to Chinese diplomats who want to solidify their presence in Tibet and are worried that the plane crash is an Americans cover-up, to British and American diplomats who, theoretically, stand with Tibet as an independent country, but in light of World Wars II going on, have to keep their own interests in mind.
In the midst of these power struggles are the five airmen, who want to get back to their airbase but realize that in a country that has only one big stream, no paved roads, no electricity, only three cars without fuel, and happens to be on a high plateau half the size of Europe, elevation 12,000 to 16,000 feet, things are not that easy.
Having been in Tibet, I was most fascinated by authors' description how many factors had contributed to the Tibet becoming an autonomous province of China. The corrupt regent system, the Tibetans habit to postpone important decisions and following old rituals. and not taking the Chinese efforts as serious as they should have.
This must have something to do the Tibetan atmosphere. I traveled to Tibet in January 1987. Even though I flew from Chengdu to Lhasa, it was a very complicated trip. In January 1987, less than 50 foreigners were in town.
Visiting there and seeing Tibet, I thought, Tibet is eternal (just like the Tibetans described in this book) ... not much would and could change.
Just like the Tibetans did not see the danger, that China would take over, I was completely wrong with my guess.
In 2006, the Qinghai- Tibet Railway was be opened. Over 80% of the 709 miles long section between Golmud and Lhasa are at an elevation of over 13,000 feet.
In this book, authors Murcutt and Starks write, "...No land route across Tibet was ever built..." Because I knew that I did not think that the Chinese could build one railroad "up there", indeed, they are building a second line as I write this.
"Lost in Tibet: The Untold Story of Five American Airmen, a Doomed Plane, and the Will to Survive" is a fascinating book that also tells the story of how the Chinese take-over began.
The best book I read this year. This one I will reread.
5 stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
August 23, 2021
This was a story that I had no idea even existed until I picked up this book. I thought the interweaving of background information about the larger geopolitical stakes of the crash with the narrative of the airmen was well done; knowing more about the political context gave more weight to the story, and following the path of specific people made the stakes more real. (Which I suppose is the goal with this kind of narrative structure.)
That said...the parts of the book that weren't about the airmen's experience felt very, VERY much from a British colonial point of view. Even though those sections were in theory just presenting neutral information about the politics happening at the time, in actuality it read very much like the stalwart put-upon British embassy was doing its best to be noncommittal and keep the balance between those shady Chinese emissaries and the stubborn Tibetan officials, and having brash Americans thrown into the mix was just making things harder for the poor British [officials of a country who had forced itself into having a presence in Tibet to protect its colonial interests in India]. The number of times the authors chose to describe Tibetans and the Tibetan government as childlike unsophisticated natives (both implicitly and explicitly) was uncomfortably above zero, even when they weren't directly quoting the British primary sources. Choosing to neutrally present information about imperialism is not a neutral choice.
tl;dr Interesting WWII adventure story I'd never heard of before in a part of the world not often written about in the context of WWII; definite British colonialist POV; would love to read a version of this story (including political background) written from the Tibetan POV.
Disclaimer: Received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads giveaway program.
That said...the parts of the book that weren't about the airmen's experience felt very, VERY much from a British colonial point of view. Even though those sections were in theory just presenting neutral information about the politics happening at the time, in actuality it read very much like the stalwart put-upon British embassy was doing its best to be noncommittal and keep the balance between those shady Chinese emissaries and the stubborn Tibetan officials, and having brash Americans thrown into the mix was just making things harder for the poor British [officials of a country who had forced itself into having a presence in Tibet to protect its colonial interests in India]. The number of times the authors chose to describe Tibetans and the Tibetan government as childlike unsophisticated natives (both implicitly and explicitly) was uncomfortably above zero, even when they weren't directly quoting the British primary sources. Choosing to neutrally present information about imperialism is not a neutral choice.
tl;dr Interesting WWII adventure story I'd never heard of before in a part of the world not often written about in the context of WWII; definite British colonialist POV; would love to read a version of this story (including political background) written from the Tibetan POV.
Disclaimer: Received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads giveaway program.
January 4, 2022
For anyone who has an interest in Tibetan history and culture, this is an excellent read. It explains so well the political reality of the time. I have a much better understanding of why Tibet's "relationship" with China developed as it did, and is so horrible now.
I agree with the reviewers who found this book to be a page-turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out how the story ends. Starks and Murcutt are excellent writers and the book's organization and flow are strong. Finally, there is a thorough bibliography demonstrating that the subject was well- researched and not thrown together with conjecture. That reassured me.
I agree with the reviewers who found this book to be a page-turner. I wanted to keep reading to find out how the story ends. Starks and Murcutt are excellent writers and the book's organization and flow are strong. Finally, there is a thorough bibliography demonstrating that the subject was well- researched and not thrown together with conjecture. That reassured me.
November 4, 2019
Unimaginable adventure in a land forgotten and left behind
In time. While great nations employed in war proceed to dally with their fates, they must make their own way through a perilous adventure.
In time. While great nations employed in war proceed to dally with their fates, they must make their own way through a perilous adventure.
May 15, 2020
Really interesting read.
This is a survivor story and a good book for anyone who wants to learn more about the political situation in Tibet in 1943 which then helps to understand the political situation in Tibet now.
FREE TIBET!
This is a survivor story and a good book for anyone who wants to learn more about the political situation in Tibet in 1943 which then helps to understand the political situation in Tibet now.
FREE TIBET!
March 4, 2023
The truth is there was not much to survive after the initial crash. The book was fleshed out with the background politics, which are interesting enough but was not really how the book was marketed. At just over 200 pages quite short.
July 12, 2020
Interesting historical story.
August 18, 2023
Very interesting. Learned a lot. Enjoy books where I come away with much more knowledge.
November 7, 2014
This book includes some of my favorite topics (WWII, pre-Chinese Tibet, survival), so it is no surprise that I devoured it. It portrays the fascinating account of how 5 American airmen bailed out over Tibet during WWII. It also began auspiciously for me as the fated plane took off from China on my birthday 71 years ago. Not only did these men narrowly escape from a plane crash, they were lucky to survive a close encounter with the side of a mountain. Luckily they met a helpful Tibetan and were led to a small village where they had to endure the curiosity of people with no exposure to western culture and third-world conditions of the desolate plateau nation. When Lhasa received word of the airmen’s arrival, they were summoned to the capital, and it is only then that they understood the political repercussions of their presence.
While these men did endure hardships and illness on their journey, the greater threat was offending nations who are precariously negotiating the stability of the region. The Chinese are threatening Tibet’s borders, America and desperately wants to keep China as an ally against Japan, and Britain is concerned about its Indian borders. It is both a physical and political endeavor that these airmen are inadvertently (and literally) dropped into the center of. It’s a great story that illustrates the instability of national relations in a world rocked by war.
While these men did endure hardships and illness on their journey, the greater threat was offending nations who are precariously negotiating the stability of the region. The Chinese are threatening Tibet’s borders, America and desperately wants to keep China as an ally against Japan, and Britain is concerned about its Indian borders. It is both a physical and political endeavor that these airmen are inadvertently (and literally) dropped into the center of. It’s a great story that illustrates the instability of national relations in a world rocked by war.
December 13, 2012
Lost in Tibet: The Untold Story of Five American Airmen, a Doomed Plane, and the Will to Survive by Richard Starks and Miriam Murcutt is a fascinating look at an untold story that tookplace during WWII. While flying missions from India to China, five airmen lost control of their plane and ended up crash landing in the middle of Tibet, which had been little known to Westerners at the time. The airmen not only had to deal with wounds from the crash and fight their way to some sign of civilization, but once they did arrive in a Tibetan village, they were also put in the middle of a tense political situation between the Tibetan government and the Chinese government.
This book is an interesting story and highlights a little known part of the war. While most people focus on the European Theater during WWII, there were a lot of men and women working to win the war in the Pacific Theater as well. This book serves an important purpose to highlight the work that many soldiers did during the war to help fight for their country. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read more about WWII or about Tibetan politics when it comes to fighting for the right for independence.
This book is an interesting story and highlights a little known part of the war. While most people focus on the European Theater during WWII, there were a lot of men and women working to win the war in the Pacific Theater as well. This book serves an important purpose to highlight the work that many soldiers did during the war to help fight for their country. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read more about WWII or about Tibetan politics when it comes to fighting for the right for independence.
August 16, 2012
This books tells the story of 5 Airmen who wrecked their plane in Tibet flying over the "hump" from China back to India during WWII. It also goes into detail about the political ramifications their appearance caused in China and Tibet and the diplomatic reactions of the US and Britain. While the politics were important to give the big picture the review of politics and factions splintered the focus of the book.
August 12, 2012
I found this book riveting! I knew nothing about these airmen prior to reading Lost in Tibet, and found their experience to be utterly fascinating. The authors have clearly researched their topic in great depth, and have brought to life a chapter in history that would otherwise have been all but forgotten. I enjoyed this book so much that I went on to read "Along the River that Flows Uphill" by these same authors - another worthwhile read.
December 30, 2007
If I have to learn about history, let me do it through a good story. And this book does that. 5 Americans had to bail out over Tibet in 1943 -- the book covers (in easily understandable/readable verbiage) the political pushes and pulls going on in Tibet then. I would have liked more than what this book gave in its descriptions of Tibet, but what they did provide was good.
October 23, 2014
Interesting history (and a true story) of the relationship between Tibet, Britain, China, and the US during WWII when 5 US airmen crashed in Tibet. All they wanted was to return to their base in India, but found themselves bring used as political pawns in a primitive country that wanted independence from China.
May 1, 2013
This book had a good combination of adventure story (about the lost airmen) and the political situation. Not the most well written book of all times, but very interesting read, particularly while hiking in the region
September 19, 2013
Liked it a lot, but didn't love it. Not as engagingly told or well-researched as @Brendan Koerner's Now The Hell Will Start or Mitchell Zuckoff's Lost In Shangri-La, it's still an interesting yarn about a little-known incident that culminates in the triumph of the human spirit.
November 22, 2014
Book Bub e-book Incredible story of survival in the midst of the political climate of Tibet/China relations. Special interest with my Dad having flown that route - nicknamed tin-can alley (or something like that) marked by all the planes wreckages along the mountain sides. Very well written.
February 9, 2009
Great true story for anyone who has visited Tibet-China, likes history or enjoys airplane adventures. This story would make a good movie.
August 18, 2011
An aspect of WWII that is often missed in history class.
January 8, 2014
I read this book awhile ago and could not remember the title. It made me want to read other books regarding Tibet. Love it.
October 19, 2015
If you are an actual flier, you'll appreciate this book. If you're not, it will probably not thrill you. Very well done and well researched.
November 2, 2014
Well written, with detailed account of Tibet's closed society back then, but the adventure itself was not that exciting.
August 10, 2016
A somewhat interesting story, but not riveting as a tale of survival or on the political level that is strongly pursued by the authors. Not really that much there.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews