Frank Kingdon-Ward Bücher

Set against the backdrop of 1914, the narrative follows British plant-collector and explorer Kingdon-Ward on an arduous eight-month expedition through Burma's eastern frontier. Traversing rugged and challenging landscapes primarily on foot, he showcases remarkable courage and resilience. The journey highlights not only the physical challenges he faces but also the rich biodiversity and unique cultures of the region, providing a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of adventure and botanical discovery during a tumultuous time.

Legendary botanist and explorer, Frank Kingdon-Ward records the details of his last expedition, including a fascinating account of the flora, fauna and human cultures one of the most remote corners of Asia.

A Modern Library Paperback OriginalDuring the first years of the twentieth century, the British plant collector and explorer Frank Kingdon Ward went on twenty-four impossibly daring expeditions throughout Tibet, China, and Southeast Asia, in search of rare and elusive species of plants. He was responsible for the discovery of numerous varieties previously unknown in Europe and America, including the legendary Tibetan blue poppy, and the introduction of their seeds into the world’s gardens. Kingdon Ward’s accounts capture all the romance of his wildly adventurous expeditions, whether he was swinging across a bottomless gorge on a cable of twisted bamboo strands or clambering across a rocky scree in fear of an impending avalanche. Drawn from writings out of print for almost seventy-five years, this new collection, edited and introduced by professional horticulturalist and House & Garden columnist Tom Christopher, returns Kingdon Ward to his deserved place in the literature of discovery and the literature of the garden.

The narrative follows British explorer Kingdon-Ward as he undertakes two expeditions to Burma, one solo and another with an American group near the Burma-China border, just before WWII. The book, published a decade later, provides insights into the region's unique flora and landscapes, making it especially relevant given Burma's tumultuous history. Its exploration of adventure and discovery has contributed to its status as one of the author's most sought-after works.

An adventure-filled travel account of botanist Kingdon-Ward's 1933 expedition to the southeastern corner of Tibet, a trip that was as significant for its geographic discoveries as it was for the wealth of plant species with which he returned.