OUT OF THIS WORLD

by Lowell Jr. Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1950

A prosaic account of the most unprosaic journey of father and son to the chimeric land of Shangri-La,- Tibet. Setting out with the necessary permit from the Dalai Lama, the famous traveler and radio commentator and his son penetrated far into Tibet to the Holy City of Lhasa, where they had an audience with the Dalai Lama, were entertained handsomely and talked to ministers and officials. However, of most interest to the reader will be the description of the country -- isolated for centuries -- the flat, high plains (14,000 feet above sea level), the prayer flags, shrines and monasteries which bristle from the country-side, and the people who scorn modern inventions from religious fear of devils, who will plow a field zig-zag to crowd a devil into a corner, and yet who will have a bagpipe band which for some mysterious reason, that Mr. Thomas does not investigate, plays ""Auld Lang Byne"" and ""Marching Through Georgia"". The author intersperses the narrative with valuable information about the religion in this feudalistic theocracy, warfare with foreign powers such as China and Britain, and success or failure of previous missions to Tibet. It is unfortunate that the author utilizes the sterile style of a cinema travelogue but the subject and Thomas name should result in passable travel and adventure sales with a plus for young people.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1950

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Greystone

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1950

Categories: NONFICTION