ePub Trespassers on the Roof of the World: The Secret Exploration of Tibet (Kodansha Globe) by Peter Hopkirk in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Another Hopkirk GemBy zorbaWhen it comes to delineating the history of Central Asia and environs; few writers can touch the craftsmanship of author Peter Hopkirk. In his hands; what could easily be boring history; becomes; instead; vibrant excitement. As in his other books; Hopkirk makes these mysterious and fabled lands come alive. In this book he describes the many attempts by adventurers from the outside world to penetrate remote Tibet and its almost-mystical capital; Lhasa. Chapter by chapter Hopkirk ticks off the sagas of these opportunists; some seeking fortune and fame; some on their majesty's (or tsar's) service. In the contest between Tibet versus the world; Tibet scores early and frequently; thus keeping the others out. But eventually; overpowered by modern weaponry; the outsiders win. It's tempting to cast this in terms of good-guys versus bad-guys. But it's not that easy; as the reader will see. What IS easy is declaring this book a fantastic and exciting history of a mysterious land that just wanted to be left alone.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Spies; Pundits and Mystics in Search of TibetBy J. SwikartPeter Hopkirk does his usual; excellent job chronicling the efforts of Westerners (especially the British) from the 1860's to the early 20th century to find a way to explore the once forbidden kingdom of Tibet. The colorful cast of characters include men such as Francis Younghusband; Sven Hedin; Nikolai Prejevalski and women such as Dr. Susie Rijnhart and Annie Taylor. Some were military personnel given the mission to make contact with the Tibetans while some were spies recruited and trained by the British government in India to do survey work and collect information on Russian intentions in Central Asia; real or imagined. Others were missionaries such as Dr. Rijnhart (who would pay a terrible price for her efforts) but some were like Henry Savage Landor; adventurers that in his case; needed material for a book and suffered mightily in the process.Although most of the people Hopkirk chronicles in Trespassers on the Roof of the World were motivated by the desire and associated glory of being the first Westerner to reach Lhasa; their tales are not the most interesting; at least in my viewpoint. Mohamed-i-Hameed; Sarat Chandra Das; Kishen Singh; Nain Singh and his cousin Mani; all British spies and often referred to as "pundits"; did much of the early work of opening up Tibet. Their activities were technically illegal and much resented by the Tibetans but their resourcefulness and bravery cannot be questioned and I cannot help but admire them. Hopkirk's expose' of their activities is altogether too brief and I hope he is able to write more about them in the future.Sad to say; once the British did reach Lhasa; interest in Tibet slowly faded to the point that when the Tibetans asked western powers for aid in resisting the Chinese annexation of their country in 1950; there was very little done for them. Realpolitik at work; I suppose; but I also think it made many people (especially the Tibetans) wonder what all the fuss among Westerners over Tibet was about in the first place. All in all; Trespassers on the Roof of the World is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about Central Asia's history and is an entertaining read to boot. I highly recommend it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great reading about the story of tibetBy waynegreat reading about the story of tibet. goes good with the great game and foriegn devils on the silk road... all by peter hopkirk