This is a riveting firsthand account by Blake Kerr; an American doctor who inadvertently walked into one of the grimmest scenes of political oppression in the world. Kerr was visiting Tibet with his old college friend John Ackerly. They were enjoying the sights and sounds of Lhasa; the capital of Tibet; and hitchhiking to Everest; where they "humped loads" for an American expedition assaulting the mountain. Upon returning to Lhasa; Kerr and Ackerly witnessed a series of demonstrations by Tibetan monks greater than anything witnessed by foreigners since China entered Tibet in 1949.
#3476920 in Books Marlowe n Co 1993-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 6.25 x 1.00l; #File Name: 1557784388233 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Women in the Civil WarBy A CustomerIn Patriots in Disguise by Richard Hall; I learned about all the roles the women played in the Civil War; from nursing; serving as patriotic leaders; and some even would go so far as to dress in male attire to serve their cause. The book mainly focuses around the stories of a few important figures: the nurse Anna Etheridge; and soldiers-in-disguise Sarah Emma Edmonds (aka Frank Thompson) and Loreta Janeta Velazquez (aka Lieutenant Harry T. Buford). In a time when women had limited rights; the only way that these courageous figures could serve was in disguises of military uniform; a big difference from the hoops skirts and corsets that they had previously worn. It was a major step in women's rights and the fight for gender equality.I enjoyed the topic of this book; women's roles in the Civil War; but I continued to wonder exactly how the women could pull off male disguises without being known. I did find it amusing at the end of the book to discover that some women were caught when they had babies and even one was discovered after trying to pull her pants on over her head. This book didn't exactly give me more information about the Civil War itself; but I liked that the roles of women was mainly told through the tales of the women who had done them. Before I read this book; I never really had thought about how courageous these women were to risk their lives and take the secret of their identity to their grave; all because they wanted adventure and they believed in their cause or wanted to support their home state; and feel like a true patriot. They could take action in the war; instead of just staying at home and helping the wounded troops; but by helping fill their ranks.I didn't exactly enjoy the writing style of the book because it read more like a history book without one specific plot line; but it wasn't too long of a book; so I was able to finish it quickly and get it over with. I don't think that I would recommend this book as either a book for pleasure or even as a book that you should choose when needing to read about the Civil War. On the other hand; I wouldn't say that it is the worst book ever as long as you are at least interested in women roles in the Civil War; but the information given is only satisfactory.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Women in the Military... Nothing New!By Amy L. SnowWe might think that women in the military is a modern day phenomenon; related somehow to the Women's Lib movement. But; SURPRISE; Richard Hall paints a colorful historical picture of many patriotic and dedicated women who; in a period in our country's history dominated by hoop skirts and constricting corsets; secretely traded their hoops and corsets for military battle uniforms. Disguised as men -- the only way for these women to serve in our country's Civil War military campaigns -- they served in disguise; discovered as women only when they were injured and required medical care in field hospitals! Author Richard Hall has researched these women's lives extensively; and the many pages of actual Civil War-era photographs and engravings included in the book bring these women's stories to life in vivid detail.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Patriots in DisguiseBy K. FreemanNot wildly scholarly; but reasonably useful discussion of women who were on the battlefield in the Civil War. This is structured around descriptions of specific women such as the nurse Anna Etheridge; the soldier Franklin Thompson; the whatever-she-really-was Loreta Janeta Velazquez. There isn't much theoretical discussion here; nor is there much explanation of how women's disguises were able to work--and; despite the title; much time is given to vivandieres; nurses and the like.
