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Seven Years in Tibet
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
25 posts | 29 read | 33 to read
In this vivid memoir that has sold millions of copies worldwide, Heinrich Harrer recounts his adventures as one of the first Europeans ever to enter Tibet. Harrer was traveling in India when the Second World War erupted. He was subsequently seized and imprisoned by British authorities. After several attempts, he escaped and crossed the rugged, frozen Himalayas, surviving by duping government officials and depending on the generosity of villagers for food and shelter.Harrer finally reached his ultimate destination-the Forbidden City of Lhasa-without money, or permission to be in Tibet. But Tibetan hospitality and his own curious appearance worked in Harrer?s favor, allowing him unprecedented acceptance among the upper classes. His intelligence and European ways also intrigued the young Dalai Lama, and Harrer soon became His Holiness?s tutor and trusted confidant. When the Chinese invaded Tibet in 1950, Harrer and the Dalai Lama fled the country together. This timeless story illuminates Eastern culture, as well as the childhood of His Holiness and the current plight of Tibetans. It is a must-read for lovers of travel, adventure, history, and culture. A motion picture, under the direction of Jean-Jacques Annaud, will feature Brad Pitt in the lead role of Heinrich Harrer.
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review
NatalieR
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Pickpick

The story jumps right in with Harrer being arrested and detained as a POW and his efforts at escape. Once the escapees make it to Tibet, there are beautiful descriptions of the Tibetan people with their prayer flags, monasteries, and prayer wheels. Harrer establishes himself in Tibet where he meets the Dali Lama‘s parents and siblings, establishes a home, and purposeful work. Harrer developed a very close friendship with the Dali Lama. #MountTBR

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Smarkies
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Pickpick

Captures a time and place that has gone / been destroyed. Enjoyed reading of this time in history through the author's eyes.
Read for #readingasia2021 #tibet
Highly recommended.

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squirrelbrain
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Pickpick

Harrer was imprisoned in India by the Englishman WWII. When he escaped he made for #tibet, was one of the first Westerners ever to reach Lhasa and befriended the young Dalai Lama.

This was a fascinating and unusual read - highly recommended.

#readingasia2021

TrishB I haven‘t read the book, but one where I‘ve actually seen the film and really enjoyed. 3y
squirrelbrain I didn‘t even know there was a film @TrishB 🤷‍♀️ 3y
TrishB Young Brad Pitt. 3y
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BarbaraBB Exactly that @TrishB 😃 3y
TrishB @BarbaraBB not saying it‘s the only reason to watch….. 3y
Librarybelle On my to read list! 3y
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Butterfinger
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Pickpick

Beautiful descriptive writing about 'The Roof of the World'. A #sports instructor and professional mountain climber escapes from a tolerable POW camp to adventure in #Tibet. Most of the book is about the hardships of the travel, but the last few chapters we are introduced to one of the fascinating world leaders, the Dalai Lama. His escape to India when communist China invades is then described. I fell in love with the people through Harrer's eyes

BarbaraBB I didn‘t know that was a book! I only knew about the movie! 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa You are just flying through these, looks like you found some great books to read! 3y
See All 7 Comments
Butterfinger @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I have five more. I have a lot of time to read in the summer and I combine challenges whenever I can. Thank you for creating this challenge. It has great prompts. 3y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Butterfinger You‘re welcome, I‘m so glad you are enjoying it…even if you are adding to my TBR list a lot! 3y
Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 3y
LibrarianRyan I loved this movie. No idea it was a book. Brad pitt in one of his finest. 3y
36 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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under.a.pile.of.books
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐

16 likes1 stack add
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under.a.pile.of.books
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Miss the beach!!

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jenniferw88
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Just got my #Tibet book for #readingasia2021 in Audible's 2 for 1 sale! @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

Librarybelle I‘ve been curious about this one...looking forward to what you think about it 3y
BarbaraBB I never knew the movie is based on a book 🤦🏻‍♀️ 3y
56 likes2 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Asia 2019 wrap up - the books I didn't get to. Le sigh.

LeahBergen I really liked Ali and Nino. 👍🏻 4y
ReadingEnvy @LeahBergen I may squeeze it into my reading this year because I can't believe I still haven't read it! 4y
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squirrelbrain
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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I would imagine that the top of a mountain might be quite a #perilousplace....

Not read it yet, but #mummysquirrel says it‘s very good!

#augustabc

Eggs Great choice 5y
68 likes1 comment
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DivineDiana
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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I have not read the book... yet, but I did enjoy the movie starring Brad Pitt. #7years #septemberdanes

Kalalalatja I haven‘t read the book or seen the movie 😳 6y
Cinfhen I‘m familiar with the title but I don‘t think I‘ve seen or read the book either @Kalalalatja 6y
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julesG
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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This came to mind for today's prompt #7years. Quite obvious.

The picture on top shows Heinrich Harrer and the Da Lai Lama together.

#septemberdanes @Cinfhen @Kalalalatja

Cinfhen Such a good choice 🙌🏻💟 6y
Kalalalatja Good pick! 👌 6y
TrishB I thought of this one too 👍🏻 good choice . 6y
DivineDiana I picked this too! 6y
86 likes4 comments
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Ses_emily
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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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.

RaimeyGallant Nice quote. And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome! 6y
Chelleo Welcome 🤗 6y
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Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻👋🏻 6y
Ses_emily Thanks so much 😊 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great quote - welcome! 6y
DivineDiana Glad you are joining us! 👏🏻📚👏🏻 6y
9 likes7 comments
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Tove_Reads
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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📕Tagged book 📗 Athar 📘 A Full Life 📙

27 likes2 comments
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TrishB
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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#highforthis #aprella
So I went for a different type of high! Set high in the mountains. Enjoyed the book what feels like many years ago!

Mdargusch Great book choice! 6y
Reviewsbylola Sounds very interesting. 6y
emilyhaldi Good choice! I clearly remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was 12 and just wanted to see Brad Pitt... I don't believe I had any clue what was happening in the movie but 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
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TrishB @emilyhaldi to be fair Brad Pitt was a fine reason to watch that film! 6y
Cinfhen Nice 👍🏻 your the Disney version 🏰 6y
Cathythoughts Ahhhh ! Very good one 👍🏻 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen literally the only time I‘ve been the Disney version! Unless it‘s the evil queens 😁 6y
Cinfhen Hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🖤miss you❣️❣️❣️ 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen what with WiFi, time zones and no Litsy day!! ❤️ 6y
105 likes9 comments
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Tove_Reads
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Haven‘t really had time to read this Easter, but there‘s a nasty snowstorm today, which means reading all day long, yay! Don‘t know why I‘ve avoided reading this book, it is an intriguing read. I‘ve always wanted to visit Tibet. One day I will!

ju.ca.no Tibet must be a marvellous country😍 6y
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HOTPock3tt
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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1) Ronald Reagan
2) Easter
3) Thursday I think ?
4) 2008
5) 7/11 by Beyoncé!! ❤️? “Man this here like rolling dice. Seven twice, man seven twice!!” ??LoL
6) Seven Years in Tibet ?
7) 23
8) only 2
9) one in my wallet one on the keychain
10) 9
#50k @Kaye

Kaye Thanks ✅ also for the Beyoncé song. I don‘t know hardly any modern music. 6y
HOTPock3tt @Kaye no prob! ☺️its a fun/party song, not really one of her best, but it‘s fun to dance to! 🤗 6y
Kaye I‘ve never danced in my life. Do you believe that ? I need to hang out with some of you. Maybe this old dog could learn some new tricks. 6y
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HOTPock3tt @Kaye you should!! 😊you are never too old for that!! 🎉 6y
Kaye It sounds like fun. I‘d have to find a different dance partner. An Amish man would dance more than my husband would. He‘s pretty laid back. 😂 6y
HOTPock3tt @Kaye My husband doesn‘t dance much either 😅lol! but I drag him out there with me anyway!😆👍 (edited) 6y
Kaye You‘re lucky. Everyone in the building couldn‘t get my husband out of his chair. I‘d just pick someone else. He really wouldn‘t mind. He‘s not the jealous sort. 6y
21 likes7 comments
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TheLondonBookworm
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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One for the travel writing lovers out there! I‘m on a bit of a non fiction binge atm and I love anything that takes me back to proper explorer times. Harrer‘s memoir is absolutely fascinating and I‘m now dying to go to the Himalayas!!

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SoniaC
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Pickpick

The narrator was good on this one. The book has a lot of layers. It's part travel and adventure and part history lesson about a beautiful culture. The relationships made it rich. I really enjoyed every moment of it. Solid writing and a really interesting story.

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GoneFishing
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer

We have a saying in Tibet: If a problem can be solved there is no use worrying about it. If it can't be solved, worrying will do no good.

LilMamaMastro Well, that seems easy enough. 😑 7y
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rockpools
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Mehso-so

A remarkable, at times barely believable true story. The 1st half an ordeal; the 2nd just fascinating.

To begin, adventure, told in a matter-of-fact & self-assured way. Escape from a POW camp, crossing harsh landscapes, reaching Lhasa... I found it difficult to connect with the author's voice.

Then life in Lhasa & a true interest in Tibet. Finally, with the Dalai Lama as a teen, for whom he had great warmth & respect.

Amazing, but hard work!

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rockpools
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Heinrich Harrer's entire life just seems...improbable! The whole book reads like a shaggy dog story. But it's true.

I have a real love/hate thing going on with this book 😕

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HeathHof
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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Left top: Seraphina Right Top: Seven Years in Tibet Bottom left: Son of a Witch Bottom Right: Peter Pan #somethingforsept #mapsinbooks

Texreader Gorgeous maps! 7y
HeathHof @Texreader Thanks! 7y
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rockpools
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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You know those days when you should just've stayed home reading? This was supposed to be a glamourous lunch-and-bookshop-haul photo from Cheltenham. But...

Due to weekend engineering works, and the dreaded cows on the line, the train had to turn back, and I never actually got there. 5 hour round trip!!! Reading & eating happened tho, and this was the perfect book to stop me complaining (much)!

#septphotochallenge #somethingforsept #grumpypost

BarbaraTheBibliophage 😂😂😂 8y
15 likes1 comment
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rockpools
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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So this was no. 2 on my book speed-dating challenge. Putting it aside for now as it's taking me so long to get through, but will definitely come back to finish it. I don't love the writing, some of the attitudes are unsurprisingly of their time and the story would be quite unbelievable if it wasn't true! But I am enjoying his love for the place and the nomadic Tibetans he meets.

(And the pic is the Alps not the Himalayas, but hey! Best I've got)

ReadingEnvy I have had this book on my shelves for at least five years now. May be a candidate for speed dating for me too! 8y
rockpools @ReadingEnvy Yep, 5 years plus some here, I think! I'll be really interested to hear your views. I'm finding it a bit of a slog tbh, but I hope it'll get easier as it goes. 8y
9 likes2 comments
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rockpools
Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
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I don't read much about sport itself, but sportsy people are quite amazing! Did anyone see the Mo Farrah documentary last night?!) Heinrich Harrer was 'a famous mountaineer and Olympic ski champion', while Rosie Swale Pope sails the world and runs many many marathons. #augustphotochallenge #booksandsport @TheSpinecrackersBookClub