Burma's Icy Mountains. (1949) By Kingdon-Ward, Frank

Hardcover rubbed covers, very clean and bright inside, fold out maps complete. Publisher: London: Jonathan Cape, 1949 second impression

Burma's Icy Mountains describes two expeditions to Burma-one on his own and a second, with a larger American party close to the Burma-China border-completed by the intrepid British explorer and plant hunter, Kingdon-Ward, prior to the outbreak of WWII. Not published until the post war period some ten years later, the book is of particular interest in light of the more recent traumatic history of this region, and has become one of the author's most sought-after titles. Aside from its relevance to those interested in Kingdon-Ward's own focus on the rich botanical diversity of this still inaccessible region, his vivid descriptions of the terrain, the fauna and the peoples-including Tibetans, Lisu, Lashi, Kachin and Nung-encountered enroute make this true chronicle of hardship and perseverance come alive. Frank Kingdon-Ward (1885-1958), OBE, the son of a leading British research botanist and professor, graduated with honours from Cambridge in Natural Sciences. In 1911, he was engaged by a British horticultural firm to collect specimens in Yunnan, an assignment which began for Kingdon-Ward a lifelong career as a professional explorer and plant collector. In all Kingdon-Ward made a total of twenty-two expeditions, spanning a period of some forty-five years, in western China, northern Burma, Assam and south-eastern Tibet; much of this travel involved extreme hardship, and was undertaken at great risk to his health and personal safety

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