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Seven Years in Tibet

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Seven Years in Tibet

By: Heinrich Harrer, Richard Graves
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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About this listen

A landmark in travel writing, this is the incredible true story of Heinrich Harrer’s escape across the Himalayas to Tibet, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Heinrich Harrer, already one of the greatest mountaineers of his time, was climbing in the Himalayas when war broke out in Europe. He was imprisoned by the British in India but succeeded in escaping and fled to Tibet. Settling in Lhasa, the Forbidden City, where he became a friend and tutor to the Dalai Lama, Heinrich Harrer spent seven years gaining a more profound understanding of Tibet and the Tibetans than any Westerner before him.

Seven Years in Tibet was translated into 53 languages, became a best seller in the United States in 1954, and sold three million copies.

©1982 Heinrich Harrer (P)2012 Audible Ltd Asia Travel Writing & Commentary Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"It deserves its place among the few great travel stories of our times." ( The Times)
"Few adventurers in this century have had the combined luck and hardihood to return with such news as this. Fewer still have rendered it so powerfully unadorned." ( Times Literary Supplement)
"Some books, like some mountains, are lonely and unrivalled peaks. This is one of them." ( Economist)
All stars
Most relevant  
When people are put in desperate situations they really can do remarkable things.
This story shows us how a wholehearted desire for freedom, led two men on an epic adventure, one that was only made possible,by the rarest combinations of shifting history and place in time.

one of the greatest stories of all time.

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Would you consider the audio edition of Seven Years in Tibet to be better than the print version?

an equal treat

What other book might you compare Seven Years in Tibet to, and why?

Shackleton / The Endurance .... historically correct .. both stirring inspirational accounts of survival against all odds

Which scene did you most enjoy?

all of the tale is a fabulous read

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

of course

Any additional comments?

this book took me to Tibet ... the nearest I will probably get in this life .. thank you.

Seven Years in Tibet - exceptional read

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Once I had attuned to Mark Meadows’ serious narrating style I became engrossed in this book.

It’s a tale of skill, ability, endurance, hope and discovery during a tumultuous period in history - WW2 and the subsequent invasion of Tibet by China.

The incredible Heinrich Harrer reaches Lhasa, his dream destination, just a few years before Tibet is invaded, so his insights into Tibetan culture and the 14th (current) Dalai Lama when he was a boy, are truly unique.

I found the descriptions of the terrible hardships, danger and hunger endured by the travellers, really sobering. But I was so amazed by their ability to navigate mountain passes, rivers and unmarked roads purely from memory - not their own, but from books they had read in prison camps. Wow! What incredible talent.

It really inspired me, and I found myself looking up a lot of the places mentioned just to get a rough idea of the enormous scale of their journey.

There are so many layers to this book. It’s an adventure story, a travel journal, a study of culture and social history, and a fascinating insight into Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. I learned so much, and I want to learn more. The book is written in quite a precise style, but this really enhances its authenticity.

I felt the frustrations, the impatience, the anticipation and dread experienced by Heinrich Harreralong the way - but equally I felt the calm and the peace once he had befriended the Dalai Lama.

One of Harrer’s observations of 1940s/1950s Tibet, was that Tibet moves at the pace of a yak. We could learn so much from that 😆.

Extraordinary and inspiring

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A great thought provoking listen, well narrated. Excellent life lessons for us all and especially in these times.

Excellent read

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A truly wonderful book, one of the all time great travel books. And is so relevant today for the plight of the Tibetan people.

Wonderful

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Inspirational account of extraordinary man who encounters an extraordinary people; Well narrated and thoroughly enjoyable.

Inspirational story..

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Enjoy would be the wrong word but very satisfying to anyone with an interest in Tibet and for those who like travel writing. Well read too.

Understanding Tibet.....

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Totally immersive experience and felt I was with Heinrich on his incredible journey. Exceptional

Engaging and Inspirational

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An incredible tale wonderfully read. The world is a bigger place through hearing it. I have since brought 2 paperback copies to give as gifts.

It is very unlike me to digitally comment on anything, to my friends and family the simple act of writing this review (though short) will speak volumes.

J

Inspirational-since listening have purchased book!

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A book that does not move at the pace we are used to today. I had to remind myself that it is an account of someone's travel and experience and not a movie. And although I had thought of giving up midway I am glad I didn't. I have picked up interesting pieces of information about Tibet in those days, customs and everyday life. The books is full of it but it is impossible to remember everything. In the end I liked the slow pace and the imagery it evokes. You can definitely feel the love H.H. grew to have for Tibet and the bonds of friendship he shared with the 14th Dalai-Lama.

Challenging at times but worth the time

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