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 (1905-1941) was a British writer and art critic whose adventurous spirit and insightful prose left a lasting impact on travel literature. Born into a wealthy family, he rejected a traditional path, choosing instead to explore the world's diverse cultures and architectural wonders.Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Byron ventured across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, capturing his experiences in vibrant and witty prose. He possessed a distinctive talent for weaving together personal anecdotes with astute observations on art, history, and the social landscapes he encountered. From the monasteries of Mount Athos to the ancient ruins of Persia, Byron sought to understand the soul of a place through its people and its past.His most acclaimed work, The Road to Oxiana, is considered a signature classic of travel writing, admired for its humor, erudition, and vivid descriptions. Byron was also a fervent champion of architectural preservation and a key figure in the resurgence of interest in Byzantine art.Though his life was tragically cut short when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat during World War II, Byron's legacy as a writer and explorer endures. His books continue to inspire those with a passion for travel and an appreciation for keen observation and mischievous wit.

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