Out of This World - Across the Himalayas to Forbidden Tibet (1952)
Lowell Thomas, Jr.It is an amazing one; the only realistic route into the country started in India and necessitated their crossing the Himalayan passes by foot using pack animals. Furthermore, the wheel was not used in transportation in the country, so the entire journey had to be conducted via legs and boat in the few places possible. At the time, the life of the Tibetans was fundamentally unchanged over the last several centuries; there was no electricity, no running water, little in the way of hygiene and the number of physicians in the country was less than the fingers of one hand. Most people only washed their clothing once a year. The Tibetan plateau is so high that very few locations are below the tree line, so wood is in short supply, little land is arable and the economy is dependent on the ubiquitous and sturdy Yak.
Although there have been dramatic changes in Tibet due to the Chinese invasion and dominance, this book is an incredible look back at one of the last areas of the Earth to be explored and modernized, albeit against their will.