This is the most anticipated follow-up to the remarkable Seven Years in Tibet, written about 30 years prior.

Harrer states right off the bat that “although the present book continues by personal experience of and in Tibet, the two books do not bear any comparison”. This is true of most sequels and sets that expectation up for the reader from the beginning. 

The book certainly does not have the same adventure feel to it as Seven Years in Tibet, but it was very nice to read about his reunions with old friends, although not in the most desirable circumstances. It was heartbreaking to read about the fate of Tibet and its people, religion, culture, and buildings after the Chinese started their occupation- especially after being so emotionally and mentally invested in the first book. Many people, as Harrer states throughout the book, are not aware of Tibet and its current situation, so one can certainly learn a lot from this book.