Heinrich Harrer was born in 1912 in Carinthia. His skiing prowess won him a place in the 1936 Austrian Olympic team. He was in the party which first ascended the notorious North Wall of the Eiger in 1938, and he is the author of the classic climbing book The White Spider -- a full history of the attempts to make that terrible climb.
Tibet is a strange and wonderful land and Heinrich Harrer's record of his seven years spent there make a strange and wonderful story, a blend of personal adventure and interpretation of the mysticism and beauty, Harrer, a German, was interned by the British in a prison camp in India at the outbreak of war. His escape was relatively simple, as he writes it; he chose Tibet as his route of flight, intending to reach Japanese lines and rom there be returned to the German forces. He reached Lhasa, forbidden city of Tibet, and was so intrigued by the way of life that he stayed, putting his many talents to constructive use. Harsh weather- barriers against foreigners- all were overcome, and he became tutor to the Dalai Lama and enjoyed a rare relationship with this highest dignitary. Psychologically, the story is unique, as a rather arrogant member of the Master Race is won to the simple ways of a peace loving people, is deflected from his desire to fight for Fascism and concludes with a plea for understanding of his adopted, country Tibet. This is more than a first rate adventure story. (Kirkus Reviews)