Here Be Yaks: Travels in Far West Tibet [Paperback]

Manosi Lahiri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2007

Here Be Yaks chronicles the adventures of a group ofordinary people on an extraordinary journey to one of the most isolated corners of Tibet. From Lhasa they travel ever upwards along the ancient Tasam Highway, stoppingat ancient stage posts and battling altitude sickness and exhaustion, to reach Mount Kailash, revered by four faiths. Here they perform the sacred hidden inner kora, or circumambulation of Kailash, each seeking a personal religious epiphany. The author, haunted by the recent loss of her husband, finds peace and solace in this sacred place. Her curiosity piqued by an old map, she also solves one of the few remaining geographic mysteries on the planet - the true source of the river Sutlej, a matter of controversy for centuries. An adventure story told with a scholar's touch, Here Be Yaks represents an important addition to the literature on Tibet. Foreword by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Editorial Reviews

Review

She adds so much detail and history...If you have any interest in Tibet...you will probably appreciate this book. -- Midwest Book Review

Reading 'Here Be Yaks' is the equivalent of traveling to a world of beautiful, compelling ideas and returning home wiser... --www.bananor.com

From the Back Cover

HERE BE YAKS chronicles the adventures of a group of ordinary people on an extraordinary journey to one of the most isolated corners of Tibet. From Lhasa they travel ever upwards along the ancient Tasam Highway, stopping at ancient stage posts and battling altitude sickness and exhaustion, to reach Mount Kailash, revered by four faiths. Here they perform the sacred kora, or circumambulation, of Kailash, each seeking a personal religious epiphany. The author, haunted by the recent loss of her husband, finds peace and solace in this sacred place. Her curiosity piqued by an old map, she also solves one of the few remaining geographic mysteries on the planet -- the true source of the river Sutlej, a matter of controversy for centuries.

An adventure story told with a scholar's touch, HERE BE YAKS represents an important addition to the literature on Tibet.

PRAISE FOR THE INDIAN EDITION

`. . . [captures] with equal verve the explorer's lust for new discoveries . . . the dedicated scholar's investigation into the country's historical and religious past for a better understanding of its present, the keen geographer's analytical assessment of its topography . . . and the gutsy traveler's resilience in the face of hardship.' - Mita Ghose, The Statesman

`Her search for the source of the Sutlej, which is the centerpiece of the book, is a detective adventure. Sherlock Holmes would have been proud.' - Mohan Guruswamy, Hardnews

`Eminently readable . . . generates interest, without obviously leaving an "already been there" feeling in the reader.' - Aps Malhotra, The Hindu

Manosi Lahiri holds a Doctorate in Urban Geography and degrees from the Universities of Calcutta, Delhi, and London. A pioneer in the field of geoinformatics, she is the founder and CEO of ML Infomap, an IT company based in New Dehli.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: The Intrepid Traveler (August 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887140727
• ISBN-13: 978-1887140720
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Searching in Western Tibet, November 19, 2007

By 

Anjan Bose (Pullman, Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here Be Yaks: Travels in Far West Tibet (Paperback)

In this spiritual and scientific journey disguised as a travelogue, India's leading geographer exposes the reader to the majesty of the mountains, lakes and rivers of far western Tibet. Her personal style of writing evokes comparison to a Theroux or Iyer but is distinct as would be expected from the pioneer and entrepreneur of Geographic Information Systems in India.

The thoroughness of the research in the history, geography and geology of this remote area reminds us that the author is a leader in her field. However, what captures us is the scientist's spiritual quest to reconcile herself with the loss of her husband. Her journey, as it turns out, melds with that of the pilgrims that converge on this area considered holy by four different faiths.

Towards the end of the book, Lahiri makes the astounding discovery that the source of the river Sutlej has shifted by many miles. Even in these days of satellite imagery and Google maps, she is able to recreate the excitement of exploration reminiscent of the discoveries of the Missouri and Congo headwaters.

A travel journal that is more a journey of the soul, this page turner will engage the searcher and the surveyor.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really liked the book, November 12, 2007

By 

Elena D. Bojilova - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here Be Yaks: Travels in Far West Tibet (Paperback)

"Here Be Yaks" combines elements of a travel novel, a personal narrative, and a history of Tibet, thereby offering a truly delightful reading experience. This book is a great way for anyone interested in Tibetan culture or the history of Buddhism to get a quick and concise introduction to both topics. The author is a keen observer of her surroundings, which, combined with her expertise in the field of geography, allows her to paint a picture so vivid and intricate, I felt like I myself participated in the adventure she described. "Here Be Yaks" is also a spiritual journey, offering a glimpse into the soul of a person befallen by personal tragedy, and her quest to find joy and purpose in their life. An informative and inspirational must-read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here be Yaks, December 1, 2007

By 

Me D. G. Wheeler "Mr D G Wheeler" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here Be Yaks: Travels in Far West Tibet (Paperback)

This is a most gripping and unusual book. A good story, travel interest, personal feelings and if that were not
enough true scientific research! To anyone who might be planning a journey to Tibet this will give invaluable pointers over where to go, how to, what to take and critical cultural elements. The international perspective of the author is combined with local knowledge and insight of she and her travelling companions.