Tom
Broadbent
'On Younghusband's Path - Peking To Pindi'
Paperback
ISBN: 0-9548542-2-5
Publisher: Head-Hunter
2005
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On
Younghusband's
Path
Tom
Broadbent
Oh the dangers of reading book reviews.
Tom Broadbent read a book review in 1985 then two years later
set off on a 4,000 mile journey that took him in the footsteps of a distant
relation.
His debut, On Younghusband's Path, is a book that gladdens the
heart. It is a compelling, informative, funny and moving account of Broadbent's
odyssey across Asia that retraces the journey undertaken by
his grandfather's cousin, Sir Francis Younghusband, a century earlier.
Younghusband was an intrepid
explorer, writer, mystic, soldier and diplomat in the days of the British
Raj who made this particular journey - one of many similarly arduous
treks - in the service of a British government concerned that India
might be under threat of attack from Russia in "The Great Game".
Broadbent, by contrast, was a
disenchanted auditor who had already visited India, wanted to
return and did the journey for something to do.
Coincidences aplenty make this an account
of fulfilled destiny.
Tom didn't know anything about Younghusband
when he decided on the journey and had no intention of writing a book
about it. Younghusband had written twenty-six accounts of his
exploits. The author didn't know from the review of Younghusband's own
re-issued book when, exactly, Sir Francis had completed the trek
or how he'd achieved it. All Broadbent understood was that a journey
from Peking to Rawalpindi - alone and wherever feasible on foot
- sounded an attractive proposition and was the excuse he'd been looking
for to go back to a place he'd fallen in love with. When he discovered
that the centenary was fast approaching his mind turned to writing the
book of his adventure.
Similar in many ways to Touching
The Void, the author has a fine touch that carries the reader along
and pulls them into situations as they unfold. The warmth given to the
visited places and their people makes the book more personable while
the descriptive prose is written with vivid intelligence and passion.
It is also a book that brings back into the light one of British history's
greatest achievers, in a manner that is fresh and invigorating.
To say that this is merely a Travelogue
is an injustice. It is an account of an epic expedition that relives
the dream on every page and is a notable historical account of a true
British hero.
Order this book online - Linghams Booksellers
“I would
just like to thank chris for the quickest book review in world
history; only met him last night at my book launch for On Younghusband's
Path, as I signed his copy. 24 hours later, the review is here. And
such a nice one.”
Tom
Broadbent - author of 'On
Younghusband's Path' . REVIEWED
HERE
break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.