Seven Years in Tibet

Heinrich Harrer (1952)
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THE A5 BOOK REVIEW

Seven Years in Tibet, the story of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer’s escape to Tibet, is a must read for travel writing enthusiasts.  In this classic autobiography, Harrer recounts how he and a companion traveled to the Forbidden City of Lhasa after escaping from British authorities in India during World War II and trekking over the frozen Himalayas.  He was one of the first Europeans to enter the country of Tibet, arriving without money or permission to be there, completely dependent therefore on local hospitality.   Leveraging the novelty of his appearance and education, Harrer managed to meet and gain the trust the young Dalai Lama to became his tutor, and ultimately his friend.  The story continues through 1950, when the Communist Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet and he was forced, along with many Tibetans, to flee the country.  Harrer provides both a great view into the intriguing Tibetan culture and the plight of the Tibetan people.
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ABOUT HEINRICH HARRER

Heinrich Harrer (1912 – 2006) is a well-known Austrian mountaineer and travel writer.  He was a talented sportsman, having been selected to the 1936 Olympic skiing team.  He famously was on the four-man team to first climb the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland, later chronicled in his book, The White Spider.  His most famous book though is Seven Years in Tibet, describing his time in Tibet and his friendship with the Dalai Lama.  

GREAT QUOTES FROM SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET

“Wherever I live, I shall feel homesick for Tibet.  I often think I can still hear the cries of wild geese and cranes and the beating of their wings as they fly over Lhasa in the clear cold moonlight. My heartfelt wish is that my story may create some understanding for a people whose will to live in peace and freedom has won so little sympathy from an indifferent world.”

INTERESTING LINKS:

  • One edition has a message in the introduction from the 14th Dalai Lama praising the work: "Harrer has always been such a friend to Tibet. His most important contribution to our cause, his book, Seven Years in Tibet, introduced hundreds of thousands of people to my country."
  • Seven Years in Tibet was made into a feature film in 1997, starring Brad Pitt as Harrer and David Tewlis as Aufschnaiter.  A documentary was also made by Hans Neiter in 1956.

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MAP OF TIBET

THE MOVIE TRAILER, STARRING BRAD PITT