Blake Kerr

Book about two men, a doctor and a lawyer, that decide to go to Tibet and climb Everest as far as they can in tennis shoes and without extra gear. The trip was more for fun than anything serious, they were experienced climbers. Along with other Western travelers, they happened to be in Lhasa during the 1987 demonstrations against the Chinese and see the bloodshed, torture, death and living conditions of the Tibetans. With a group of other Westerners they did their best to help the wounded and report to the rest of the world what really happened as there was no press to witness the events. Both men became activists for Tibet and have spent their life bringing the conditions in Tibet to the worlds attention. The author, a doctor, became involved in bringing the forces sterilizations and "birth control" methods to light. Although it is very sad to read about the things being done to the Tibetans, I have to say it mirrors the exact same thing being done all over China -- these things are not special treatment for Tibetans only. A quick read.… (mer)