2000. 224 pp, color photos. A superb photo and text study of Tibet by Kurt Diemberger's daughter, herself an expert Tibetologist. Extra large 14' high hardcover. SIGNED by Kurt Diemberger!
In Tibet, a coffee-table book that takes up half the table, Maria Sironi Diemberger gathers some of the most fabulous photographs of Tibet into an encyclopaedic collection. Unlike many books of this kind, the text accompanying the illustrations is more than just explanatory filler. Geologist and humanitarian Sironi Diemberger is intimate with her subject. The opening chapter contains not only the best succinct history of Tibet you may find but also petroglyphs, paintings, maps and frescoes from Tibet, China and Europe, as well as early photographs from the likes of Heinrich Harrer.
The monastery of Tashilhunpo at Shigatse was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Thanks to the influence of the Panchen Lama, it was spared by the Cultural Revolution and its temples and chapels still boast their ancient ornaments. Before planning that trip to Shangri-La, pry open this book and take an armchair tour.
Kurt Diemberger (born 1932 in Austria), is the only remaining person alive that has made the first ascents on two mountains over 8,000 metres. In 1957, he made the first ascent of Broad Peak and in 1960, the first ascent of Dhaulagiri. Diemberger was also the last person to see Hermann Buhl alive before he fell through a cornice on Chogolisa. Diemberger was one of only two survivors in the 1986 K2 Disaster. On August 4, 1986, Diemberger and Julie Tullis reached the summit of K2 very late in the day. Shortly after starting their descent, Julie fell -- dragging Diemberger with her.
