It's a book detailing the author's travels in the last stages of the Russian civil war as he makes his escape from Siberia, into Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet, culminating in meeting with Baron Ungern-Sternberg in Urga and then finally escaping by train to Beijing and then leaving.
The Hungarian foreword says that "this is one of those so called
famous books" and I guess this must have been sensational to read in the 1920s. It's got everything. Politics, intrigue, adventure, exoticism and mysticism.
Ossendowski's account is very colourful. Which is why I will not believe half of what he wrote but it's still a very good book. It's exciting to read.
Like in one scene, he's trying to cross a mountain with a Soyot–mongol guide and the tells him that the spirits are angry and they should turn back, but Ossendowski threatens to just shoot him, saying "You can die on the top or right here." and then makes a proclamation that everything will be fine, they will reach a forest and rest by the fire and that surprises the guide, prompting to ask him "Has the Noyon crossed this mountain before?" and he replies, "No, but last night I had a vision!" and then he says "I will lead you!"
Though I think it's important to add that however much Ossendowski engages with religion, spirits and mysticism on his journey, he never "goes native". He's curious, fascinated and willing to acknowledge the existence of the beliefs, but will actually find the scientific rationale behind them, and isn't afraid to grapple with omens and spirits when they are unfavourable or are hindering him. Even if he visits Lamas and lords, he always remains an European, a foreigner, and he's unapologetic about it.
Some of the prophetic/mythical stuff reads a bit odd, like there's a part where a young Mongolian lama proclaims that he had visions of a man rising up and fighting with the "Red Demons" "under the banner of a swastika" and he obviously thinks that he's that man who's destined to do this. In hindsight you might think it's about Hitler or something, but obviously prophecies in hindsight often lend themselves to favourable interpretations.
So it's essentially a very good adventure novel. Though I'd like to mention that the author wastes no tim
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