Seven Years in Tibet

By: Heinrich Harrer, Richard Graves

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

A landmark in travel writing, this is the incredible true story of Heinrich Harrer’s escape across the Himalayas to Tibet, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Heinrich Harrer, already one of the greatest mountaineers of his time, was climbing in the Himalayas when war broke out in Europe. He was imprisoned by the British in India but succeeded in escaping and fled to Tibet. Settling in Lhasa, the Forbidden City, where he became a friend and tutor to the Dalai Lama, Heinrich Harrer spent seven years gaining a more profound understanding of Tibet and the Tibetans than any Westerner before him.

Seven Years in Tibet was translated into 53 languages, became a best seller in the United States in 1954, and sold three million copies.

©1982 Heinrich Harrer (P)2012 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"It deserves its place among the few great travel stories of our times." ( The Times)

"Few adventurers in this century have had the combined luck and hardihood to return with such news as this. Fewer still have rendered it so powerfully unadorned." ( Times Literary Supplement)

"Some books, like some mountains, are lonely and unrivalled peaks. This is one of them." ( Economist)

I play this before going to bed

I watched the movie with Brad Pitt; it has little in common with this book. The written version is so much more richer and it encompasses more of the life lived in Tibet and the way of getting to their destination, Lhasa. It's more of a travelogue, a lot of facts. I also read the e-book which did not stick in my memory. The narrator is almost boring in his delivery and tone. The first play of the audiobook didn't make an impact, nothing got through to me. But I learned to love this narration; now I put in on before I go to sleep, and more often than I'd like in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. The narrator is bland, none of the high and lows of emotional garbage that can weary one in the repeated play-though. I wish the book was longer and that it captured more of the personal in the lives of both characters, as in the movie, for example. highly recommended.

Brilkiant book. Great adventure story.

I really enjoyed the book. It is a fascinating adventure story that is well written and narrated. so sad what happened to Tibet.

Beginnings of the Dalia Lama

Would you consider the audio edition of Seven Years in Tibet to be better than the print version?

Yes. I have not read the printed version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harrer- He is the main focal point of the book.

Which character – as performed by Mark Meadows – was your favorite?

Harrer

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No over time.

Any additional comments?

I liked the last 1/3rd of the book describing Harrer's relationship with the Dalia Lama. It gave good background as to the exile from a personal witness to the events. I also like the way the Tibetian culture was shown because I have never been to Tibet or known much about there way of life. I want to try "butter-tea". I think I would now like to travel to Tibet. Nice historical perspective.

Great adventure, great human being, great performer

Meet Heinrich Harrer: exceptional mountaineer, wonderful Human being, driven adventurer, fighter for the freedom of Tibet and close friend of the Dalai Lama. Did I mention that he is a great writer too? Loved the way he always included others in his tale. It's all "we", very rarely "I". Wish I had his drive and stability of moral compass.

Fascinating true story

Fascinating true story which captures place and time and explains some of the history of Tibet during WWII and shortly afterwards. Great narration, easy to listen to and comprehend. I will be listening to this book again.

Droll

The narration was fine. The story drags on in places, but it's interesting to learn about the Dalai Lama's youth and the culture and struggle of the Tibetans. I didn't feel this story did justice to the issue of the kidnapped Panchen Lama.

great book, great narrator

Never seen the movie, but had this vague sense it was some romantic junk. Actually, it's completely the opposite. The first half of the book is almost like For Whom the Bell Tolls. It's about dodging authorities, escaping imprisonment and traversing dangerous mountains during the last days of WWII to reach the heart of Tibet. One of those great books that I never imagined would be as great as it actually was.

A classic for a reason.

As many reviews of this great book have already been written, I will simply ask that those reading this will encourage others to read this book as well as openly and actively support a Tibet free of Chinese rule.

Grew on me

Started out slow for me. After awhile I grew interested. Learned a few things also

bitter sweet

i am heartbroken by the egos of those in power but it’s inspirational and worth listening