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Seven Years in Tibet Paperback – August 25, 1997

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,638 ratings

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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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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tarcher; First Edition (August 25, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 329 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0874778883
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0874778885
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.52 x 0.94 x 8.34 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,638 ratings

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Heinrich Harrer
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,638 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate the first-hand details about Tibetan culture and surroundings provided by the author. The writing style is described as easy to read and entertaining. Readers describe the people as lovely and loving. The report is unbiased and factual, providing an honest account of an incredible journey. The color palette is also appreciated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

113 customers mention "Readability"113 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy reading about the adventures and Tibet. They find the book compelling, a great story worth reading several times. The author gives a humble account of tremendous hardships and intrepid journeys. The story gets better as it goes on, reminding readers that it's nonfiction.

"...Indipendently from some defects, this book is a real joy to read and represent a mile stone of European travel writing of the 1900's." Read more

"...Dalai Lama was impressively intellectually curious and intelligent, hard working and full of initiative...." Read more

"The movie is powerful, but I certainly also recommend the book...." Read more

"Wonderful . What a privilege to read this . May Tibet be granted autonomy and May the world learn from its people and its “God-King”...." Read more

62 customers mention "Interest"62 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and educational. They appreciate the insight into a way of life that was about to change. The book provides an intimate portrait of Tibet's history, religion, and culture. Readers enjoy the intellectual curiosity of the Dalai Lama and his intelligent work ethic.

"...Secondly SY in T is a book of memories, because having been written at distance from the experiences it posesses a mythical imprint...." Read more

"...non-Buddhist, Harrer reports that the Dalai Lama was impressively intellectually curious and intelligent, hard working and full of initiative...." Read more

"The movie is powerful, but I certainly also recommend the book...." Read more

"...; which is full of adventure; narrated from the heart and with illuminating realism; and which is page turning from start to finish ... this is one..." Read more

51 customers mention "Tibetian culture"51 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's first-hand information about Tibetan culture and surroundings. They appreciate the author's descriptive writing about places and events. The book is described as an interesting read for Westerners about Tibet and the Dalai Lama, providing a detailed account of the author's journey.

"...Thirdly Harrer's seminal work is a book of cultural value because it is a detailed description of Tibetan costumes, habits, dressses, food, personal..." Read more

"...reach the holy city, the second half of the book concerns the fascinating details of how Harrer and Aufschnaiter managed to ingratiate themselves..." Read more

"...in very plain and accessible English, it nonetheless conveys the powerful impressions - the danger, the cold, and the exotic experience of a new and..." Read more

"...and surreal at the same time; which is full of adventure; narrated from the heart and with illuminating realism; and which is page turning from..." Read more

23 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it engaging and easy to read, with a true-to-life narrative. The author is clear and explicit, and the writing is accessible in plain English. Readers appreciate the author's modesty and understated approach, which conveys simplicity as the greatest treasure of the moment.

"...They are adimired for their incredible achievement and their modesty and unpretentiousness favourably impresses all...." Read more

"...Written in very plain and accessible English, it nonetheless conveys the powerful impressions - the danger, the cold, and the exotic experience of..." Read more

"...the Tibet Harrer knew may only be between the covers of this beautifully-written book." Read more

"The author's writing style is so conversational that you feel you are along with him in Tibet...." Read more

13 customers mention "Personality"13 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's personality. They find it interesting and engaging, with a great person and culture explained clearly. The book raises their spirits through its love of Tibet and the Dalai Lama. Readers appreciate the author's infectious optimism and his adventurous life.

"...Showing their many technical talents: plumbing, agricultural expertise, urban planification and map drawing, they are employed by the government and..." Read more

"...that the Dalai Lama was impressively intellectually curious and intelligent, hard working and full of initiative...." Read more

"...at heart, Harrer wraps it in infectious optimism and elevates the soul of the reader through his love of TIbet and his inspiring affinity with his..." Read more

"...story leads from prison to hiking the Himilyans to a loving relationship with the Dali Llama...." Read more

7 customers mention "Authenticity"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book authentic and unbiased. They appreciate the factual information presented in an engaging way.

"If you are looking for a story which is both true and surreal at the same time; which is full of adventure; narrated from the heart and with..." Read more

"...The movie version is entertaining and has Brad Pitt, but the book is far better and true! I highly recommend this book!!!!" Read more

"...The best part is that it's true! As is normally the case, the movie just doesn't do it justice...." Read more

"...I liked there was nothing but factual information. I learned quite a lot about Tibet, Buddhism, and incarnation I did not know." Read more

7 customers mention "Color palette"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's colorful details of the author's time in Tibet. They describe it as unique, serene, and interesting.

"...having been written at distance from the experiences it posesses a mythical imprint...." Read more

"Thanks to the author, we've a record of a unique, serene, & beautiful country...." Read more

"...by someone who was there, with first hand descriptions, this book is unique and a true treasure." Read more

"...transforms from a backwards third-world country to a rich, intriguing adopted home...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive8 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow and boring. They mention it drags on, is monotonous, and slow to get to the main city. Some chapters are dry and bland.

"Slow start, kind of repetitive but very educational on Tibetan culture and their isolation from the rest of the world." Read more

"The movie was boring but I thought the book should be more interesting. To a large degree, I was wrong...." Read more

"This is one of the most moving books I have read...." Read more

"...Very stilted and monotonous. I couldn't finish it despite traveling in Nepal for a few months and this being one of books everyone recommends reading." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2006
    Belonging in Tibet - a book for all ages

    Heinrich Harrer has been described, interviewed, made into a film character and has publicized himself in so many ways that it may be difficult to fully understand the importance and value of his experience in Tibet during the years preceeding the Chinese invasion of this peaceful country. SY in T is the core work of his long and adeventurous existance and he would deserve to be remembered even if in his 93 year long trek through life he had written only this book.
    At the beginning of WWII (1943) a German-Austrian mountaneering expedition to the Himalaya had to turn back because of bad weather and all the participants beeing in India (British at those times) were considered POW and interned in a camp at Dehra Dun. Harrer, during the first two years of prison, attempts a few unsuccessfull escapes but in the mean time reads many books on Tibet in the POW camp library. He figures out that the only way to obtain freedom is to travel through Tibet to reach Japanese lines. Finally one escape attempt goes right and Harrer together with others manages to cross the Indo-Tibetan border. Various companions turn back or get sick, so at the end he is accompanied only by Peter Aufschnaider a though fellow austrian thirteen years his senior. In two years with many drawbacks they proceed through the hostile Tibetan plateau, crossing passes in winter and hiding and lying to the Tibetan authorities they encounter on the way.Tibet a those times was completely xenophobic and expecially so Lhasa, the "Forbidden City", that becomes the goal of the two refugees. The desire to reach Lhasa for Harrer stems also from his childhood reading of Sven Hadin's failed tentatives to enter the misterious Dalai Lama's home. When the two companions finally cross the city gates they are convinced they will be sent back to India, instead, slowly, Tibetan society looks to them with interest and curiosity. They are adimired for their incredible achievement and their modesty and unpretentiousness favourably impresses all. Showing their many technical talents: plumbing, agricultural expertise, urban planification and map drawing, they are employed by the government and are received by the highest nobility including the Dalai Lama's family. Even the young Dalai Lama himself requests Harrer's talents for his tutoring and a beautiful friendship sparks up during geography lessons and the construction of a home made cinema.
    But five years have gone by and the historical situation has deeply changed, the Chinese are carrying out their much planned invasion of Tibet. WWII is over and in 1950-51 there is no danger for expatriates returning to Europe. Harrer decides to leave Tibet, while Aufschnaider takes the chance of staying.
    SY in Tibet is first of all an adventure book, built like a greek tragedy: we have a hero (Harrer) and his silent companion (Aufschnaider) (remember Orestes and Pilades in the Eumenides?) that through a thousand adventures finally reach the land of their dream, which is like a home for them, where they live and work happily until Destiny decides to interrupt ther idyllium. For this reason I believe the book has a great appeal for young people and probably it is best read during the adolescence when "formation novels" make a deep impact.
    Secondly SY in T is a book of memories, because having been written at distance from the experiences it posesses a mythical imprint. This aspect of Harrer's poetics is more evident in "Return to Tibet" published thrity years later in 1983. This particular characteristic makes the book pleasant also for adults, that reading it live anew their youthful experiences when all life was an adventure and a promise.
    Thirdly Harrer's seminal work is a book of cultural value because it is a detailed description of Tibetan costumes, habits, dressses, food, personal relationships and all aspects of this feudal society that still in the 1940-50's posessed strongly medieval characteristics. There are a plethora of books written on that happy period of Tibetan "freedom" and I think of those by Richardson and Tucci, just to mention a few, but none of them was written from the "inside" of Tibetan society like SY in Tibet. All these works have detailed descriptions of ethnical features but no one conveys that lightness, joy of life and serenity evident in Harrer's book. "We belonged", the Author affirms at one point and I think this is the most important point that elevates this book above others. Contrarily to what others have said, I found no patronizing outlook of the European that comes in contact with other civilizations, instead a sentiment of empathy is evident and a non judgemental attitude (buddhist?) runs through the narration.
    The language is very simple and the english translation makes it even more so. The reading runs along without pauses towards the final climax or anti-climax as one wants.
    Indipendently from some defects, this book is a real joy to read and represent a mile stone of European travel writing of the 1900's.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2008
    Don't let the fact that Seven Years in Tibet has been made into a movie stop you from picking up a copy of Heinrich Harrer's classic, real-life adventure. Whatever the movie's merits, or lack thereof, by most accounts the original story--the book--remains the best-told version of an incredible journey. Originally published in German in 1953, Harrer's Tibetan travelogue did not appear in English until the 1980s or become widely read until the 1990s. Harrer's tale provides the amazing details of his escapes, survival, evasion, and physical challenge. Beyond the reward of finally arriving in Tibet, Harrer experiences the greater victory of actually creating an enjoyable life for himself in Lhasa and eventually serving the Dalai Lama himself.

    Born in Carinthia, Austria, Harrer spent his youth skiing and hiking in the alps. In 1936, the author secured a place on the Austrian Olympic Ski Team and became the winner of the World Students' Championship Downhill race. Reluctant to make ski movies as a follow-up career, Harrer strove to win a place on a Himalayan climbing expedition. In 1943, the author was invited to join a German-Austrian team on the Nanga Parbat Expedition, which was led by Peter Aufschnaiter. After this second thrill of a lifetime, the young mountaineer found himself facing yet another unusual life challenge. After the expedition, while waiting in Karachi, India (which was then British territory) for return transportation to the West, World War II broke out. The climbers were arrested and taken to an internment camp at Dehra Dun, near the border of Tibet.
    After two years and two failed attempts, Harrer and Aufschnaiter finally succeeded in escaping. Their subsequent struggle to reach Tibet, and eventually Lhasa, required them to draw on every skill they knew as mountaineers and athletes, as well as their college educations and general handy man know-how. They faced obstacles and dangers--rugged terrain, the altitude, winter weather, diminishing supplies, lack of funds, injury, roving bands of thieves, and the hazards of traveling without documentation--that only the truly determined could overcome.
    As though a gift to reward their efforts, when the two men finally did reach the "forbidden city" of Lhasa in January of 1946, after nearly two years enroute, they were not turned away. In their isolation from the rest of the world, the Tibetans were just as curious about these two Europeans as Harrer and Aufschnaiter were about the citizens on "the rooftop of the world." In addition, the Tibetans in and around Lhasa assumed that any foreigner who had made it this far must posses proper paperwork. Once in Lhasa, the Tibetans actually found it quite amusing that these two men had managed to make it into the mystical city without passes. It was truly a feat, considering the measures Tibet's leaders undertook to keep out foreigners--in fact, Harrer notes that he met no more than seven other foreigners during his five years in Lhasa.
    While the first half of the book deals with the two mountaineers' struggles to reach the holy city, the second half of the book concerns the fascinating details of how Harrer and Aufschnaiter managed to ingratiate themselves with the locals, eventually becoming respected members of the community. Harrer presents his understanding of Tibetan daily life, culture, and society, and details how he established himself as a citizen. Harrer finds his first job when he builds a fountain in a friend's yard--which leads to more work as a landscape architect. He is commissioned to conduct a geographical survey, and later to construct a dam. He even serves as an ice skating instructor to the locals. Eventually his work leads the Dalai Lama's family to befriend him. As a result, he becomes a tutor to the young holy man. One of the more interesting duties he had was to make films of various ceremonies and festivals for His Holiness, and he is even asked to construct for him what might be the first home cinema. He managed to take advantage of his status as royal film maker and shoot his own photos whenever possible. They must be invaluable today!
    For many readers, the most valuable part of this book is that which concerns Harrer's interactions with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his resulting observations. As an outsider and non-Buddhist, Harrer reports that the Dalai Lama was impressively intellectually curious and intelligent, hard working and full of initiative. Despite his youth, the boy king had already established a highly developed sense of diplomacy and vision for his country. As he helped this famous young man learn as much as possible about the wide world beyond, Harrer laments that Tibet's desire to remain neutral in world affairs and her resulting political isolation made her an easy target. If only this boy had had a chance to rule, he notes, Tibet may have met with a different fate.
    Unfortunately, both Harrer and the His Holiness' good intentions were foiled in 1950, when the country was invaded. Harrer knew his time had come to leave his adopted country, but he has remained a life-long champion for his beloved second home.
    Few places on earth conjure up as many images of tantalizing mystery as Tibet. Fortunately, Seven Years in Tibet offers us a unique glimpse, from a what is truly an insider's view, into the untouched culture of Tibet. Harrer's book is often regarded as the best account of the "real" Tibet, as it once was, and as many hope it will some day return.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2009
    The movie is powerful, but I certainly also recommend the book. Seven Years in Tibet tells the story of Harrer's escape from British imprisonment, and his exile in Tibet. Written in very plain and accessible English, it nonetheless conveys the powerful impressions - the danger, the cold, and the exotic experience of a new and foreign culture. Readers will undoubtedly be moved and impressed with his account of the Tibetan people. There is, unfortunately, relatively little of the book dedicated to his immediate tutoring experience of the Dalai Lama (only one chapter - but it is a valuable one). Much of the book discusses his escape and the trials and tribulations he and his mountaineering companion faced en-route to Lhasa. In spite of that shortcoming, the book remains a vital perspective on the Tibetan culture as it existed prior to the Chinese takeover in 1950. Anyone concerned about the Tibetans should read this book by a very trusted friend of the Dalai Lama.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025
    Wonderful . What a privilege to read this . May Tibet be granted autonomy and May the world learn from its people and its “God-King”. His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • WILLIAM ISBISTER
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story
    Reviewed in Germany on December 5, 2023
    Good read
  • Biswa M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for everyone, especially those with an adventurer's heart
    Reviewed in India on December 4, 2023
    What can I say about this book, that hasn't been said in one of its' many reviews. The passion and admiration of Herr Harrer, for the mountains and for Tibet, comes through in every page of this book, and especially at the end. It is in the last few pages that you realize how certain chapters in the middle, which might have seemed boring and less interesting compared to the start and end of the book, are so important to the overall message. The author carefully and with painstaking detail writes about the culture, customs, traditions, and societal structures of Tibetan life in Lhasa in these few chapters, so as to preserve these things as a matter of record - now that all of it has been destroyed and eliminated by the Chinese. The Epilogue, written half a century after the book was first published, gives an insight into the man that the author has become, and the fight for Tibetan freedom and independence that he champions.
  • ellen
    5.0 out of 5 stars a very interesting journal
    Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2021
    a very interesting account of an experience few Europeans can have. A time of Tibet before the culture was dismantled by China
  • Dan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excepcional
    Reviewed in Spain on November 8, 2022
    Poco o nada que añadir a la explicación.

    Un libro excepcional en todos los sentidos.
  • Sak
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in India on July 15, 2021
    It is a eye opening bok about the tibetan culture, life in lhasa before it was invaded. Moreover the authour being an adventurer inspires one to explore more boundaries