Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise Book PDF, ePub eBook

Join our eBook service for unlimited books & audiobooks. Get a free 7 day subscription! ↓↓↓↓↓


Book Descriptions:
*Includes pictures of important people and places.
*Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading.
*Includes a table of contents.

"For the valley was nothing less than an enclosed paradise of amazing fertility, in which the vertical difference of a few thousand feet spanned the whole gulf between temperate and tropical” – James Hilton, Lost Horizon (1933)

In 1933, British author James Hilton introduced the world to a new destination for journeys of the imagination: the hidden valley of Shangri-La. In doing so, Hilton built upon pre-existing fantasies, stereotypes and archetypes, many of which were centuries old, but Hilton also created something new in the form of a vision which captured the imagination of his contemporaries and has remained ever since. In Hilton's novel, Lost Horizon, Shangri-La is a valley high in the north of the Himalayas where a monastery (more accurately, a "lamasery," as the inhabitants were lamas not monks) dedicated to peace and study exists. The precipitously steep valley is also home to a rich variety of flora, and its inhabitants are renowned for their longevity.

The Western myth of Shangri-La is part and parcel of a long-term fascination with Tibet, which even today is still seen as a land of mystery, ancient wisdom and spiritual purity on the roof of the world, all of which stands in contrast to the Western world. Even when Lost Horizon was published in 1933, Shangri-La was inseparable from the anxieties of its Western audiences, particularly given the damage done by World War I and the looming World War II.

That said, this does not mean that there are not authentic Tibetan roots for the legend. There is no historical legend of Hilton’s "Shangri-La", since the ending "la" means "valley" and "shangri" is a word of Hilton's own invention, but there is a relevant piece of Tibetan mythology: the story of Shambhala. This legendary kingdom exists outside (to the north) of Tibet and represents the "pure land" of Buddhist and harmonious living. The story of Shambhala may have influenced Hilton's original work, but it has undoubtedly had an influence on later writing and imaginations of the place.

Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise explores the history of Tibet and legend of Shangri-La from the mists of Tibetan pre-history and traces the history of the idea as it became fused with Buddhism and was tied to the idea of a Pure Land. This book also looks at the West’s encounter with Tibet in the early 20th century, including both expeditions and literature that described and popularized Shangri-La in Romantic poems, pulp novels and popular esoteric mysticism. Finally, the book traces the way in which Tibetan culture has moved west and influenced the globe. Along with footnotes, a bibliography and pictures, you will learn about Tibet and Shangri-La like you never have before, in no time at all.

Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise by Charles River Editors, Jesse Harasta

From reader reviews:

Dorathy Byers:

In this 21st millennium, people become competitive in each way. By being competitive right now, people have do something to make these people survives, being in the middle of the actual crowded place and notice simply by surrounding. One thing that at times many people have underestimated it for a while is reading. Sure, by reading a reserve your ability to survive improve then having chance to endure than other is high. To suit your needs who want to start reading a new book, we give you this Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise book as nice and daily reading book. Why, because this book is greater than just a book.

John Sledge:

Reading a book tends to be new life style with this era globalization. With reading through you can get a lot of information that will give you benefit in your life. Using book everyone in this world can easily share their idea. Books can also inspire a lot of people. Plenty of author can inspire their particular reader with their story or perhaps their experience. Not only the storyline that share in the books. But also they write about the knowledge about something that you need instance. How to get the good score toefl, or how to teach your young ones, there are many kinds of book that exist now. The authors nowadays always try to improve their proficiency in writing, they also doing some investigation before they write on their book. One of them is this Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise.

Clayton Bruce:

Are you kind of busy person, only have 10 as well as 15 minute in your moment to upgrading your mind proficiency or thinking skill even analytical thinking? Then you are receiving problem with the book compared to can satisfy your short time to read it because pretty much everything time you only find publication that need more time to be study. Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise can be your answer mainly because it can be read by anyone who have those short spare time problems.

Elijah McWhorter:

Many people spending their time frame by playing outside together with friends, fun activity along with family or just watching TV the whole day. You can have new activity to shell out your whole day by studying a book. Ugh, think reading a book can definitely hard because you have to take the book everywhere? It alright you can have the e-book, delivering everywhere you want in your Smartphone. Like Tibet and Shangri-La: The Search for a Hidden Paradise which is keeping the e-book version. So , why not try out this book? Let's see.