First Russia Then Tibet

By Robert Byron

A train steams across the endless Russian steppe, its carriages alive with whispers of revolution and the scent of distant incense. In the early twentieth century, as borders shift and empires teeter, one traveller's journey from the heart of Russia into the hidden world of Tibet becomes an extraordinary bridge between cultures, faiths, and landscapes seldom glimpsed by Western eyes. This is travel literature at its most vivid: a tapestry of encounters with exiles and monks, merchants and mystics, all set against the backdrop of a continent in flux. The narrative sweeps from the snow-laden streets of Moscow to the high passes of Central Asia, capturing the raw immediacy of discovery and the subtle poetry of solitude. What sets this 1920s travel narrative apart is its rare blend of candid memoir and acute observation, reminiscent of Patrick Leigh Fermor's lyricism and Evelyn Waugh's wry wit. The author's fascination with Russian history and Tibetan culture is palpable on every page, offering readers a window into vanished worlds-cathedrals echoing with Orthodox chants, caravan trails winding into the Himalayas, and the delicate rituals of daily life in remote monasteries. For travel writing enthusiasts and armchair travellers alike, this restored edition is a revelation: not just a chronicle of exploration, but a meditation on the meaning of borders, exile, and belonging. Long out of print and now republished by Alpha Editions, this book has been restored for today's and future generations. It stands as both a collector's item and a cultural treasure, its pages resonating with the curiosity and courage of an age when the world still held uncharted mysteries. Whether you savour tales of central Asia exploration or seek the immersive pleasures of classic travel memoir, this volume deserves pride of place in any serious collection-and promises to transport every reader, in spirit, far beyond the familiar.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9374129981
• ISBN13: 9789374129982
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"