Study of ancient Indian tradition; social values; comparisons with other cultures. argues that Hinduism has within its roots both socialism and a market orientation.
#2232996 in Books 1996-01-01Original language:English .0 x .0 x .0l; .0 #File Name: 812061057168 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Just one of the fascinating incidental facts served up in this enthralling race through the multiple explorations carried out byBy Keith ValentineDid you know that central Asian shepherds wore shoes made from the skin of the feet of wild camels - claws; pads and all? Me neither. Just one of the fascinating incidental facts served up in this enthralling race through the multiple explorations carried out by this amazing man in the early years of the 20th Century. I'm only one third through but already exhausted; the action never flags but Mr Hedin still finds time to sketch; write; philosophise and be unfailingly polite; fair and diplomatic to everyone he meets. They were made of different stuff in those days - today's explorers look tame and self-aggrandising by comparison. My only criticism is no photos; even though he mentions taking a camera and photographic plates.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Real Life Adventure Like Few OthersBy zorbaWhen you think of an "explorer" you think of a guy like Hedin. From an early age he ventured again and again into large swatches of Asian geography where few or no Europeans had ever trod. Hedin graphically and realistically portrays his travels with such detail that you can feel the cold; the heat; the parched throats; the curious indigenous eyes and the scenery staggering in its beauty. When you come to the end of this book; you will be all "adventured" out; for on almost every page there is a suspenseful; fascinating episode. Hedin was truly an explorer's explorer. His greatness is dimmed; however; by his fervent support of Naziism during WWII. As someone has writen elsewhere; Hedin knew about the death camps and never disavowed them. He was a solid Nazi partisan. In an epilogue to this book; author and admirer Peter Hopkirk urges us to look at Hedin's many and major contributions and to forgive his pro-German activities in both world wars. I'm not quite willing to forgive; but I will segment my views of Hedin into Hedin the explorer and Hedin the Nazi sympathizer. Anyhow;if you're looking for a fascinating book about exploration in the most forbidding sectors of our planet at the turn of the 20th century; this is a book for you.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. An Adventure Story Like No OtherBy K. FloyThis is a tale wonderfully told of an explorer's quest to fill in the blank spots on the map of Asia. Not only does Hedin present a clear and highly entertaining view of his travels; but he also gives us a portrait of his character. He shows us that he is a man with high goals and is undeterred in achieving those goals; even when all odds are against him. He shows us that he is also a very caring man; very much concerned about the welfare of his men and his animals. He also is a man that is awestruck by nature and is very concerned about not unduly intruding upon it or unnecessarily destroying it.But most of all; this is an adventure story that is just plain fun to read.A suggestion to readers who are not very familiar with the geography of central Asia would be to have on hand some good maps as the ones Hedin draws are quite limited and often fail to give the perspective that may be desireable.