China to Chitral. . . Hardcover - 1951

Cambridge University Press, 1951-01-01. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Hardcover with DJ, First Edition 1951 Cambridge University Press 124 pages. Very Good, in a VG DJ. Just a touch of shelf/edge wear to red cloth boards with gilt spine titles - corners sharp. Moderate shelf/edge wear, a few closed tears, some chipping and toning to unclipped DJ - now in mylar. No previous owner markings - all pages are clean and unmarked. A trace of foxing to the top edge of the textblock. Large corner fold to page 69. 10 chapters, index, 69 photographs taken by the author (uncommonly good and with great perspective) and 4 maps. This book covers Tilman's 1949 travels in Chinese Turkestan. Major Harold William "Bill" Tilman, CBE, DSO, MC and Bar, (14 February 1898 – 1977) was an English mountaineer and explorer, renowned for his Himalayan climbs and sailing voyages. At the age of 18, Tilman was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery and fought in the First World War, including the Battle of the Somme, and was twice awarded the Military Cross for bravery. His climbing career, however, began with his acquaintance with Eric Shipton in Kenya, East Africa, where they were both coffee growers. Beginning with their joint traverse of Mount Kenya in 1929 and their ascents of Kilimanjaro and the fabled "Mountains of the Moon" Ruwenzori, Shipton and Tilman formed one of the most famed partnerships in mountaineering history. He volunteered for service in the Second World War; he first saw action during the Battle of France helping to cover the retreat in Flanders before getting to the beaches at Dunkirk. Tilman then served in North Africa, Iraq and Iran before being called on for special duty in 1943. He then was dropped by parachute into Albania behind enemy lines to fight with Albanian and Italian partisans. For his actions there he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his efforts, and was given the keys to the city of Belluno which he helped save from occupation and destruction. They don't make men like this anymore. Highly Recommended. Handsome vintage First Edition in DJ. LOC SSS-16