Bloomsbury, 2006
George Bogle, the Panchen Lama and the First British Expedition to Tibet
Shortlisted for the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Biography
In 1774 British traders longed to open relations with China so they sent a young Scotsman, George Bogle, as an envoy to Tibet. Bogle became smitten by what he saw there, and struck up a remarkable friendship with the Panchen Lama.
This gripping book tells the story of their two extraordinary journeys across some of the harshest and highest terrain in the world: Bogle’s mission, and the Panchen Lama’s state visit to China, on which British hopes were hung. Piecing together extracts from Bogle’s private papers, Tibetan biographies of the Panchen Lama, the account of a wandering Hindu monk and the writings of the Emperor himself, Kate Teltscher deftly reconstructs the momentous meeting of these very different worlds.
‘This history of the first visit to Tibet by a Briton was garlanded with praise when first published in 2006. If anything, it has only become more impressive, as the re-evaluation of Britain’s colonial history gathers pace … Teltscher’s great skill is telling a complex tale with great panache while allowing Bogle’s voice to be heard’ – Ed Douglas, Guardian
‘An impeccably well-researched book, and it is hard to imagine this fascinating story being told with greater sensitivity or skill’ – Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph
‘Teltscher is a remarkable new historian … Wholly original’ – William Dalrymple
‘A splendid and fascinating account … Teltscher has made remarkable use of her source material, aided by the constantly perceptive and witty tone of Bogle’s own writings’ – Patrick French, Sunday Times
‘Kate Teltscher’s marvelous new book, “The High Road to China,” lucidly relates how Britain tried to circumvent trade barriers by opening a back door to China through the mysterious land of Tibet’ – Tristram Stuart, New York Times
‘A vivid look at a lost world’ – Jonathan Mirsky, Spectator Books of the Year
‘Thrilling and fascinating … Letters, journals and documents are woven into the flowing narrative, which is wonderfully vivid and evocative’ – Jenny Uglow
‘Teltscher draws on the journals and letters Bogle wrote, forming a compelling picture of his time in the country… A gripping narrative and wonderfully entertaining reading’ – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
‘Fascinating … an extraordinary narrative dominated by marvellous characters and told with a rare mixture of scholarly learning and enthusiast’s fizz’ – Jan Morris
‘Bogle caused a sensation in the Himalayas. When he approached the palace of the ruler of Bhutan, his route was line with spectators all craning to catch sight of this weird, white-faced alien with tight clothes and funning hair… Fascinating’ – Hilary Spurling, Observer
‘This fascinating and beautifully written book considers the first contact made between the expanding British Indian empire and the ancient Buddhist civilization of Tibet. It adds a new dimension to studies of British orientalism and eighteenth century understandings of cultural difference’ – Professor C. A. Bayly, University of Cambridge
‘There is no more entertaining or informative account … Teltscher’s account of Bogle’s long stay with the Panchen, based in part on his vivid letters to his sisters, makes this book soar’ – Jonathan Mirsky, Literary Review
‘A wonderful story … a fascinating book’ – Bernard Porter, TLS
‘This is a truly lovely story, told with sympathy and style by a scrupulously careful academic who is master of her period and its sources. The book is a joy to read, both for the general reader and for the student … It has opened up a hugely neglected subject, and will be, probably, forever the authority upon it’ – Nigel Collett, Asian Review of Books
‘A wonderful book, absolutely compelling … I am quite certain that readers will find it irresistible.’ – Professor John Carey, University of Oxford
