The Heart of a Continent; A Narrative of Travels in Manchuria, Across the Gobi Desert, Through the Himalayas, the Pamirs, and Chitral, 1884-1894
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1896. Very Good Plus. First Edition, 1st Printing. [9.25x6.5in], xvii, [3], 409 pp., Eighteen illustrations and images, including frontispiece, four folding colored maps; Forest green cloth covers with gilt lettering on front and spine, gilt designs and borders on front, all edges rough trimmed, black clay coated end papers; Minor shelf wear to covers, edges and corners, rubbing along joints and top and bottom of spine, corners bumped with minor fraying, prior owner ink name and date on title page, small closed tear to top of title page and several following pages, two maps (p.56 and P. 168) detached, added ribbon pull in rear map pocket [Howgego IV Y3] DK. Item #14405
Sir Francis Edward Younghusband (1863-1942) was a British Army officer, explorer, and writer, renowned for his travels in Central Asia and his role in the British colonial administration. He is best known for leading the 1903-1904 British expedition to Tibet, a controversial mission that resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Lhasa, opening Tibet to British influence. Younghusband’s explorations contributed significantly to the mapping of the region and shaped geopolitical relations between Britain, Russia, and China. Later in life, he became a prominent spiritual thinker, founding the World Congress of Faiths and advocating for interfaith dialogue and understanding.
The Heart of a Continent (1896, London and American editions) is one of Sir Francis Younghusband’s most influential works, chronicling his journeys through Central Asia during the late nineteenth century (Manchuria 1886-87, Central Asian 1887, Karakoram 1889, and the Pamirs 1890-91). The book offers detailed accounts of his explorations across the Gobi Desert, the mountains of Tibet, and the remote regions of Manchuria and Mongolia. Younghusband vividly describes the landscapes, peoples, and cultures he encountered, while also reflecting on the political tensions between the British and Russian empires. His narrative provides valuable insights into the challenges of travel and diplomacy in Asia, blending adventure with observations on geography and international relations.
Price: $550.00