First Russia, Then Tibet

Over the course of several months during 1931 and 1932, Robert Byron journeyed to three countries teetering on the brink of change. In Russia, which was stricken by famine, Lenin had just died, Stalin's dictatorship was in its infancy and the Great Terror was yet to begin. Having taken the first commercial flight to India, which took a week, Byron was thrown into the tumultuous last years of the British Raj. Gandhi was imprisoned while rioting and clashes between Hindus and Muslims had become commonplace. Finally Byron entered Tibet, the forbidden country. Exploring the Land of Snows, he saw Tibet as it was when the then Dalai Lama was still ensconced in the Potala Palace, twenty years before China's invasion. Blending classic travel writing with passionate observations on the deeper political and social issues of the time, Byron writes with uncanny prescience of the eventual horrors of the Soviet Union and the downfall of the Raj. As a piece of travel literature, "First Russia, Then Tibet" is compelling and beautifully-written. As a portrait of these countries in the 1930s, it is invaluable. Ultimately, it illuminates the constant quest for meaning that underscored Robert Byron's life and travels.

Robert Byron was an English travel writer, art critic, and historian, renowned for his influential travelogue The Road to Oxiana, which chronicles his journey through the Middle East and Central Asia. Born on February 26, 1905, in Wembley, United Kingdom, Byron developed a deep interest in the history and architecture of the regions he visited. His writings reflect not only his travels but also his expertise in art criticism and history. Byron's curiosity about the cultural and architectural significance of the places he encountered is a key aspect of his legacy. The Road to Oxiana remains one of the most important works in travel literature, blending personal exploration with scholarly analysis of the ancient civilizations and their impact on modern times. Beyond his travel writing, Byron was recognized for his insights into art, particularly his ability to connect architecture with broader cultural contexts. Tragically, his life was cut short when he died at the age of 35 on February 24, 1941, in Cape Wrath, United Kingdom. Despite his brief career, Byron s contributions to literature and art continue to be celebrated.

PART I: RUSSIA I. The New Jerusalem II. Creed and Observance III The Russian Aesthetic IV. Moscow V. Leningrad VI. Veliki Novgorodm VII. Early Russian Painting VIII. Yaroslavl and Sergievo IX. The Ukraine PART II: TIBET I. The Air Mail II. The Desert Lands III. Anglo-Himalaya IV. Into Tibet V. The Plains VI. The Pleasures of Gyantse VII. Lunching Out VIII. Winter Comes Early IX. A Tibetan Pilgrimage