Subject
Mongolia -- Description and travel Books
Best books
Ferdynand Antoni Ossendowski
Beasts, men and gods
"Beasts, Men and Gods" by Ferdinand Antoni Ossendowski is a thrilling account woven from the author's personal experiences, written during the early 20th century amidst the chaos of post-revolutionary Russia. The narrative blends adventure, survival, and philosophical inquiries, as it delves into the depths of human nature, political upheaval, and the mysteries of existence, particularly in the intricate and treacherous landscapes of Siberia and Central Asia. The opening of the book introduces us to the author, who finds himself in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, at the onset of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1920. As he becomes entrapped in the turmoil surrounding him, he narrowly escapes arrest by Bolshevik soldiers and escapes into the wilderness. There, he encounters various characters, including a mysterious traveler named Ivan, who guides him through the unforgiving terrain. The early chapters set the stage for a gripping tale of survival, marking a transition from a life of civilization to one woven with the struggles of nature and humanity, revealing the resilience required to navigate a world plagued by violence and uncertainty.
Roy Chapman Andrews
Across Mongolian Plains A Naturalist's Account of China's 'Great Northwest'
"Across Mongolian Plains" by Roy Chapman Andrews is a naturalist's account written in the early 20th century. The narrative follows Andrews and his companions on their Second Asiatic Expedition, where they embark on a journey across Mongolia and Northern China, exploring the unique fauna and landscapes of the region. This work focuses on the experience of traveling in a largely untouched natural environment and the challenges and wonders that arise during their explorations, bridging the gap between modernity and antiquity. The opening of the book sets the scene for Andrews' journey as he departs from Peking, filled with excitement and anticipation for the wild experiences that await him in Mongolia. As they traverse from Kalgan to the Mongolian plateau, Andrews reflects on the clash between the traditional nomadic lifestyle and the encroachment of modern machinery, illustrating his ambivalence towards the loss of mystique in a land once dominated by ancient traditions. The early chapters introduce us to the stark beauty of the plains, the fascinating wildlife, and the vibrant culture of the Mongols, all depicted through Andrews' vivid descriptions and interactions with the land and its people.
Elizabeth Kimball Kendall
A Wayfarer in China Impressions of a trip across West China and Mongolia
"A Wayfarer in China" by Elizabeth Kimball Kendall is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century. The work captures the author's journey through the western provinces of China and Mongolia, focusing on her personal impressions and encounters with local cultures. The narrative provides insights into the pre-revolutionary landscape of China, highlighting both the beauty and complexity of a civilization that is simultaneously ancient and on the cusp of change. At the start of her journey, the author describes the anticipation and preparations leading to her expedition across West China, specifically her entry via Tonking into Yunnan. She details her travel arrangements, including the hiring of local coolies and the selection of practical equipment for the journey. The opening portion reflects her eagerness to experience the heart of China away from the typical tourist routes, as well as her initial observations about the local landscape, infrastructure, and the diverse peoples she encounters. Throughout, Kendall emphasizes not only her personal experiences but also the socio-political context of China during this transformative period.
Victor Meignan
From Paris to Pekin over Siberian Snows A Narrative of a Journey by Sledge over the Snows of European Russia and Siberia, by Caravan Through Mongolia, Across the Gobi Desert and the Great Wall, and by Mule Palanquin Through China to Pekin
"From Paris to Pekin over Siberian Snows" by Victor Meignan is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. The book chronicles the author's adventurous journey from Paris to Pekin, traversing the icy expanses of Siberia, the Gobi Desert, and various parts of China. Meignan's account is rich in observations about the cultures and landscapes he encounters, presenting a vivid portrait of his experiences as a Western traveler in these remote regions. The opening portion of the narrative sets the stage for Meignan's ambitious endeavor to explore Siberia and China during winter. Initially, we learn about his preparations for the journey, including the skepticism of his friends and his resolve to experience Siberia in all its icy glory. The narrative quickly shifts to the early stages of his journey, detailing his experiences traveling from Paris to St. Petersburg, his first impressions of Russia, and the perceived challenges at the customs house. Through encounters with Russian officials, reflections on the culture and landscapes, and humorous anecdotes, the opening successfully immerses the reader into the unique atmosphere of a wintry expedition, filled with both anticipation and daunting circumstances.
Julius M. (Julius Mendes) Price
From the Arctic Ocean to the Yellow Sea : $b The narrative of a journey, in 1890 and 1891, across Siberia, Mongolia, the Gobi desert, and north China
"From the Arctic Ocean to the Yellow Sea: The Narrative of a Journey, in 1890" by Julius M. Price is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. This work recounts the author’s adventurous journey across Siberia, Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, and North China, aiming to document both the landscapes and cultures encountered along the way. Price serves not just as a writer but as a 'special artist,' capturing the essence of his travels through sketches and reflections, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into these lesser-known territories. At the start of the narrative, Price expresses gratitude for the kindness he experienced while traveling in Siberia, setting a tone of appreciation and openness towards different cultures. He elaborates on the motivations behind his journey, hinting at the ambitious goal of establishing a trade route between England and Siberia as part of an expedition supported by various financial backers. As the account unfolds, Price prepares for his adventure aboard the steamer "Biscaya", detailing the multitude of challenges he faces, from difficult travel conditions to the uncertainties of exploring largely uncharted territories. The opening also vividly describes his first impressions of Norway during the voyage, leading to a complex mixture of excitement and trepidation as he sets his sights on the Arctic regions ahead.
Beatrix Manico Gull
A tour in Mongolia
"A tour in Mongolia" by Beatrix Manico Gull is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century. It follows an adventurous traveler from Peking through Kalgan into Inner Mongolia, blending firsthand journeys by cart, pony, and caravan with portraits of Mongol life, religion, and landscape, set against a backdrop of Chinese, Russian, and Japanese political pressures. An analytical introduction and the author’s photographs frame an ethnographic, on-the-ground account of a remote region in flux. The opening of this account pairs a succinct political survey—explaining Mongolia’s recent break with China, Russian influence, Japanese-backed maneuvers, and the rollback of autonomy—with the author’s personal departure from Peking in search of “old order” ways. She detours to the Ming tombs (including a scuffle with a bullying gatekeeper), rides the railway to Kalgan, and observes its Mongol market, camel caravans, roadside theatre, and the ruins of the Great Wall, as well as a lively Cantonese feast. When rumors of frontier fighting persist, she joins a Finnish missionary’s small caravan and crosses the Han-o-pa Pass, sleeping in Chinese inns on heated k’angs fueled by argol. The narrative highlights ox-carts and camel trains, dust storms over the prairie, and her first yourt visit with the Mongol Dobdun, where she records tea customs, snuff-bottle etiquette, and the presence of lamas. It concludes this opening stretch with her reaching a remote mission at Ta-Bol and enduring a night of gales under canvas—an emblem of the hardship and allure of the journey ahead.
Ferdynand Antoni Ossendowski
Állatok, emberek és istenek = $b Beasts, men and gods
"Állatok, emberek és istenek" (Beasts, Men and Gods) by Ferdynand Antoni Ossendowski is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book chronicles the author's extraordinary escape from revolutionary Russia through Siberia, Mongolia, and Tibet, offering a unique perspective on political upheaval, cultural encounters, and personal survival in times of chaos. It centers on Ossendowski’s perilous journey as he flees the Bolsheviks, highlighting both the harsh realities of the landscape and the people—friends, enemies, and mysterious strangers—he encounters along the way. The opening of the book introduces us to Ossendowski’s life in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia during the Russian Revolution, where immediate danger forces him to flee into the Siberian wilderness. He describes his desperate escape from Bolshevik soldiers, surviving in the taiga with the help of an enigmatic companion named Ivan. Through encounters with danger, harsh weather, wild animals, and strangers whose motivations are unclear, Ossendowski adapts to a solitary life in nature, punctuated by reflections on both human brutality and resilience. His journey shifts from basic survival—hunting, fishing, building shelter—to navigating war-torn lands, passing through hostile villages and negotiating with suspicious officials. The narrative paints a vivid picture of both the daunting landscapes and the constant threat of violence, setting the stage for a larger exploration of the intersection between civilization, wilderness, and the human spirit.
Victor Meignan
De Paris à Pékin par terre: Sibérie-Mongolie
De Paris à Pékin par terre: Sibérie-Mongolie by Victor Meignan is a travelogue written in the late 19th century. It traces an overland journey from France to Beijing via Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, and the Gobi Desert, mixing practical travel detail with reportage on places and people. Expect close observations on Siberian commerce, Russian society and bureaucracy, river-and-canal schemes versus railways, and the rigors of winter travel by sleigh. The opening of the narrative sets out the author’s aim to correct Western clichés about Siberia, highlighting its industrial hubs (like Tomsk) and rich Transbaikal goldfields, and arguing that river steamers and canals, not railways, best suit the region’s trade. He then departs Paris, passes through gloomy Berlin, and endures a vexing Russian customs inspection before arriving in Saint Petersburg, where a moonlit Neva and Francophile salons contrast with his difficulty finding a companion. Securing official letters and postal privileges, he meets the border commissary Pfaffius—whose Bouriate servant pointedly invokes his rights as a subject—attends Glinka’s La vie pour le Tzar, and moves on to Moscow in severe cold to buy proper furs. In Moscow he surveys the Kremlin, notes the custom of uncovering before the Virgin at the Spassky Gate, sketches the Orthodox past, visits the fabulously wealthy Troitsa monastery, and finally finds a capable companion in the Siberian Constantine Kokcharof. The story then shifts to Nizhny Novgorod’s bustling bazaars and the logistics of sleigh travel: the hierarchy of travel permits (podarojnaia), the meticulous packing of the sled, the behavior of the fiery little horses, and the social life of post-stations. It closes this opening stretch with the first fast stages along the frozen Volga, a night of relay stops, and a tense, watery thaw on the ice before dawn breaks through thick fog.
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