A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush -
Eric Newby
1958 - Secker &, London - First Edition
‘A great story by a great travel writer about a preposterously planned trip into Afghanistan (before the modern era of chaos overtook the country) to do a first ascent on a previously unseen peak in the Hindu Kush Mountains. The two solitary adventurers, with as much climbing experience as they had knowledge of the terrain, set out into the wilds of the Afghani frontier, and a formidable array of trouble and adventures. Written with sublimely understated humour and dry wit, it is hilariously funny and fun’. - Jeff Tucker, Outsider Magazine, 25 best adventure books of the last 100 years (Jan. 2003).
First edition of this fantastic book, scarce in such a nice bright unclipped dust jacket. Listed number 16 in National Geographic’s Top 100 Adventure Books of all Time’. Illustrated throughout with 40 black and white photographs and two folding maps to the rear.
‘Having spent seventeen years in the fashion business, Newby decided to leave his job and travel with a friend, Hugh Carless, to an area of Afghanistan so remote that no Englishman had been there for over 60 years. On route they met another travel writer, Wilfred Thesiger, author of 'Arabian Sands', who was disgusted by the amateurishness of the pair.’ ‘Funny, exciting, an object lesson for the young on how to enjoy themselves and give enjoyment to others; a throw-back to a happier age.’ - Evelyn Waugh.
‘A British high-fashion salesman and a diplomat, Newby and Hugh Carless, with four days' climbing lessons in the Welsh hills, walk into Afghanistan, climb mountains, run into Kafirs with rifles ("Here," one tells the pair happily, "we shoot people without permission"), have a grand time, and survive. The result? This witty, dry, and very English adventure book’. - National Geographic - Top 100 Adventure Books of All Time [Number 16].
References: W R Neate, Mountaineering and its Literature 567.
Octavo (book size 22.2x14.5cm), pp. 247 [1]. In publisher’s brick red/orange cloth, lettered in silver to spine with title in silver over blocked burgundy colour, dust jacket priced 25s. net to lower corner of front flap. Condition: Fine in very good jacket, wear to corners and spine ends, fading to rear panel close to spine, closed split to lower rear fold of spine, slight evidence of former tape repair to verso. Ref: 112385 Price: HK$ 9,000
First edition of this fantastic book, scarce in such a nice bright unclipped dust jacket. Listed number 16 in National Geographic’s Top 100 Adventure Books of all Time’. Illustrated throughout with 40 black and white photographs and two folding maps to the rear.
‘Having spent seventeen years in the fashion business, Newby decided to leave his job and travel with a friend, Hugh Carless, to an area of Afghanistan so remote that no Englishman had been there for over 60 years. On route they met another travel writer, Wilfred Thesiger, author of 'Arabian Sands', who was disgusted by the amateurishness of the pair.’ ‘Funny, exciting, an object lesson for the young on how to enjoy themselves and give enjoyment to others; a throw-back to a happier age.’ - Evelyn Waugh.
‘A British high-fashion salesman and a diplomat, Newby and Hugh Carless, with four days' climbing lessons in the Welsh hills, walk into Afghanistan, climb mountains, run into Kafirs with rifles ("Here," one tells the pair happily, "we shoot people without permission"), have a grand time, and survive. The result? This witty, dry, and very English adventure book’. - National Geographic - Top 100 Adventure Books of All Time [Number 16].
References: W R Neate, Mountaineering and its Literature 567.
Octavo (book size 22.2x14.5cm), pp. 247 [1]. In publisher’s brick red/orange cloth, lettered in silver to spine with title in silver over blocked burgundy colour, dust jacket priced 25s. net to lower corner of front flap. Condition: Fine in very good jacket, wear to corners and spine ends, fading to rear panel close to spine, closed split to lower rear fold of spine, slight evidence of former tape repair to verso. Ref: 112385 Price: HK$ 9,000