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Eccentric Explorers: Unravelling the Mysteries of Tibet--Wild and Wacky Adventurers of the Tibetan Plateau
Book by Michael Buckley
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Michael Buckley
16 books4 followersMichael Buckley is a traveler and travel guide. He lives in Canada and specializes in Tibet and the Himalayas.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 18, 2024
Buckley writes of some early explorers who were fanatical in their drive to visit Tibet.
Thomas Manning, a master linguist, was one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet as part of a series of travels starting in 1811.
Kintup was the most indefatigable of the pundits, sent by the Indian Survey to surreptitiously survey Tibet. The work was accomplished with a simple compass and by counting steps with the aid of their prayer rosary.
Eric Bailey was involved in the 1903 British invasion of Tibet, but is known for his collection of animal specimens and butterflies. He discovered the Himalayan blue poppy.
Maurice Wilson flew from England to Tibet in a Gypsy Moth airplane, intending to crash on the lower slopes of Everest and then climb it. Wholely unprepared for high altitude mountaineering, he survived two attempts to climb the mountain.
Joseph Rock collected plants and animals in Nepal during the period of 1922-35. A self-taught botanist - he fabricated a doctorate degree - he published books on Hawaiian trees and plants. Rock photographed and wrote for National Geographic.
Alexandra David-Neel was the first Western woman to meet the Dalai Lama, and was known for her writings on meditation practices and various aspects of Nepalese philosophy.
Giuseppe Tucci was noted for his quest to collect Tibetan texts and art, which now seem more important since the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
Peter Aufschnaiter was a companion of Heinrick Harrier, but choose to stay in Tibet and spend the rest of his life there. Being an engineer, he became the first foreigner employed in the service of the Tibetan government.
Lobsang Rampa was an Englishman that claimed to be a New Age guru and an astral voyager. He wrote the hugely popular book "The Third Eye".
Michel Peissel is a modern day explorer who worked particularly with the Khampa people. He was the first to uncover the CIA's work with the Khampa in the Mustang area.
In his conclusion, Buckley notes that "books are portals to other worlds" but goes on to describe some of his travels to Tibet and surrounding areas.
Thomas Manning, a master linguist, was one of the first Europeans to enter Tibet as part of a series of travels starting in 1811.
Kintup was the most indefatigable of the pundits, sent by the Indian Survey to surreptitiously survey Tibet. The work was accomplished with a simple compass and by counting steps with the aid of their prayer rosary.
Eric Bailey was involved in the 1903 British invasion of Tibet, but is known for his collection of animal specimens and butterflies. He discovered the Himalayan blue poppy.
Maurice Wilson flew from England to Tibet in a Gypsy Moth airplane, intending to crash on the lower slopes of Everest and then climb it. Wholely unprepared for high altitude mountaineering, he survived two attempts to climb the mountain.
Joseph Rock collected plants and animals in Nepal during the period of 1922-35. A self-taught botanist - he fabricated a doctorate degree - he published books on Hawaiian trees and plants. Rock photographed and wrote for National Geographic.
Alexandra David-Neel was the first Western woman to meet the Dalai Lama, and was known for her writings on meditation practices and various aspects of Nepalese philosophy.
Giuseppe Tucci was noted for his quest to collect Tibetan texts and art, which now seem more important since the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
Peter Aufschnaiter was a companion of Heinrick Harrier, but choose to stay in Tibet and spend the rest of his life there. Being an engineer, he became the first foreigner employed in the service of the Tibetan government.
Lobsang Rampa was an Englishman that claimed to be a New Age guru and an astral voyager. He wrote the hugely popular book "The Third Eye".
Michel Peissel is a modern day explorer who worked particularly with the Khampa people. He was the first to uncover the CIA's work with the Khampa in the Mustang area.
In his conclusion, Buckley notes that "books are portals to other worlds" but goes on to describe some of his travels to Tibet and surrounding areas.
Displaying 1 of 1 review