Forbidden Journey

by Michael Foster and Barbara M. Foster

Book Overview

The definitive biography of the first European to explore Tibet at a time when foreigners were banned, this book draws on rare source material, including information from the secret files of the India... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006250357X
• ISBN13: 9780062503572
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Unique Woman Explorer at Turn of Century

Little known crossdressing Victorian Frenchwoman undertakes a dangerous journey of discovery in forbidden country disguised as a monk and lives to tell her tale to the world. Thoroughly well researched,and well crafted The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel is the biography of a remarkable woman. A woman born to the mannered and circumscribed Victorian era who chose to strike out on her own initiative to explore the spiritual secrets and she was among the first Europeans to report about it from inside to the rest of the world.I found it a fascinating read about a remarkable woman of whom I knew nothing, a woman who accomplished amazing things in her life. I recommend this biography by Barbara and Michael Foster to anyone interested in tales of high adventure in exploration, in the golden age of exploration and of unknown exotic lands. If the story of resolutely fearless woman pursuing her dream of exploring Forbidden Tibet whets your appetite I recommned you read this well crafted biography. I can recommend it without reservation. ZaneMason

Why I enjoyed reading Alexandra David-Neel's biography

I feel compelled to let people know about a book my best friend gave me for my birthday, The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel. This biography is a riveting read about a woman who did the impossible. A rare bird, she combined intellectual acuteness with a spirit of adventure that took her on a wonderful journey to Lhasa. The Foster's tell her exciting life with verve and in a very readable style. The bio also gave me a worthwhile introduction to buddhism.

Accomplished and exhaustively researched account

An accomplished and exhaustively researched account of the life of Alexandra David-Neel, explorer, scholar, mystic and heroine to generations. The Fosters' meticulous research and obvious affinity for their subject results in a highly readable work that is part historical detective work, part travelog, and part cultural study. This book of broad based appeal will captivate students of history, armchair travellers, and anyone interested in Tibet and its people. There is no other comparable work available on this fascinating and timely subject.