Seven Years in Tibet
Encyclopedia
Seven Years in Tibet is an autobiographical travel book written by Austria
n mountaineer Heinrich Harrer
based on his real life experiences in Tibet
between 1944 and 1951 during the Second World War and the interim period before the Communist Chinese People's Liberation Army
invaded Tibet in 1950.
The book covers the escape of former Nazi SS Officer Harrer, and his companion Peter Aufschnaiter
, from a British internment camp in India. Harrer and Aufschnaiter then travelled across Tibet to Lhasa, the capital. Here they spent several years, and Harrer describes the contemporary Tibetan culture in detail. Harrer subsequently became a tutor and friend of the 14th Dalai Lama
.
The book shows the difference between the way Harrer thinks of the 14th Dalai Lama and the way the country of Tibet sees the 14th Dalai Lama.
Seven Years in Tibet was translated into 53 languages, became a bestseller in the United States in 1954, and sold three million copies.
, a 76-minute documentary directed by Hans Nieter which included both movies taken by Harrer during his stay in Tibet and various scenes from his adventures reconstructed by Harrer himself; and Seven Years in Tibet (1997 film)
, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
starring Brad Pitt
and David Thewlis
.
song entitled "Seven Years in Tibet
", from his album Earthling
.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n mountaineer Heinrich Harrer
Heinrich Harrer
Heinrich Harrer was an Austrian mountaineer, sportsman, geographer, and author.He is best known for his books Seven Years in Tibet and The White Spider .-Athletics:...
based on his real life experiences in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
between 1944 and 1951 during the Second World War and the interim period before the Communist Chinese People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
invaded Tibet in 1950.
The book covers the escape of former Nazi SS Officer Harrer, and his companion Peter Aufschnaiter
Peter Aufschnaiter
Peter Aufschnaiter was an Austrian mountaineer, agricultural scientist, geographer and cartographer.-Life:...
, from a British internment camp in India. Harrer and Aufschnaiter then travelled across Tibet to Lhasa, the capital. Here they spent several years, and Harrer describes the contemporary Tibetan culture in detail. Harrer subsequently became a tutor and friend of the 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
.
The book shows the difference between the way Harrer thinks of the 14th Dalai Lama and the way the country of Tibet sees the 14th Dalai Lama.
Seven Years in Tibet was translated into 53 languages, became a bestseller in the United States in 1954, and sold three million copies.
Endorsement
At the beginning of the Flamingo edition of the book a message from the Dalai Lama praises the work: "Harrer has always been such a friend to Tibet. His most important contribution to our cause, his book, Seven Years in Tibet introduced hundreds of thousands of people to my country."Films
Two films have been based on the book: one in 1956, Seven Years in Tibet (1956 film)Seven Years in Tibet (1956 film)
Seven Years in Tibet is a 1956 British documentary film directed by Hans Nieter. It's based on the book of the same name. It was entered into the 1956 Cannes Film Festival....
, a 76-minute documentary directed by Hans Nieter which included both movies taken by Harrer during his stay in Tibet and various scenes from his adventures reconstructed by Harrer himself; and Seven Years in Tibet (1997 film)
Seven Years in Tibet (1997 film)
Seven Years in Tibet is a 1997 film based on the book of the same name written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer on his experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951 during the Second World War, the interim period, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army's invasion of Tibet in 1950. The film...
, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud is a French film director, film producer and screenwriter.- Biography :Annaud was born in Juvisy-sur-Orge, Essonne...
starring Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt is an American actor and film producer. Pitt has received two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one...
and David Thewlis
David Thewlis
David Thewlis is an English actor of stage and screen. His most commercially successful role to date has been that of Remus Lupin, in the Harry Potter film series...
.
Song
There is also a David BowieDavid Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
song entitled "Seven Years in Tibet
Seven Years in Tibet (song)
"Seven Years in Tibet" is a song and single by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels from the 1997 album Earthling.A version with lyrics in Mandarin was also recorded...
", from his album Earthling
Earthling (album)
Earthling is an album by David Bowie released in February 1997 via BMG. The album showcases an electronica-influenced sound partly inspired by the Industrial and drum and bass culture of the 1990s.-Album background and development:...
.
See also
- Beyond Seven Years in Tibet, My Life Before, During and After (2007), Heinrich Harrer's full autobiography published in English
External links
- Seven Years in Tibet Book Review at The Open Critic (1956)