Why read Trespassers on the Roof of the World?

Book cover of Trespassers on the Roof of the World: The Secret Exploration of Tibet

Book description

For nineteenth-century adventures, Tibet was the prize destination, and Lhasa, its capital situated nearly three miles above sea level, was the grandest trophy of all. The lure of this mysterious land, and its strategic importance, made it inevitable that despite the Tibetans' reluctance to end their isolation, determined travelers from…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Trespassers on the Roof of the World as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Stephen Haddelsey

Author

This book doesn’t tell the story of one expedition, it recounts many, launched by men of nine different nationalities, all intent on breaking into the closed world of Tibet. I am not alone in considering Hopkirk to be one of the great masters of what might be described as ‘historical travel’ books, and this is surely one of his best. Populated by a wonderful cast of characters, all determined to be the first westerner to reach the sacred, and forbidden, city of Lhasa. I can’t recommend it highly enough – and, enjoy one of Hopkirk’s books, and you’ll enjoy them…

From Stephen's list on The best books about forgotten expeditions and extraordinary journeys.