Return to the Irrawaddy

The legendary botanist and explorer records the details of his last expedition, in 1953, to his beloved northern Burma, prior to his death five years later. Frank Kingdon-Ward combined an insatiable taste for adventure, and the persistence to overcome any danger in his path--not to mention recalcitrant officials who attempted to block it--with the raconteur's gift to recount his adventures in a vivid and often thrilling manner.

Rich in description of the unique flora, fauna and tribal customs of this still little-known region, Kingdon-Ward's account covers not only the magnificent rhododendrons and other tropical floral rarities that were the object of his travels, but also the customs of the various tribal groups encountered, the use of plants in local medical practice, the natural occurrence of tea varieties in the region and much more. A last look at a spectacular, then unspoiled, corner of Burma which since has been inaccessible and largely devastated by protracted civil war.

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Return to the Irrawaddy

The legendary botanist and explorer records the details of his last expedition, in 1953, to his beloved northern Burma, prior to his death five years later. Frank Kingdon-Ward combined an insatiable taste for adventure, and the persistence to overcome any danger in his path--not to mention recalcitrant officials who attempted to block it--with the raconteur's gift to recount his adventures in a vivid and often thrilling manner.

Rich in description of the unique flora, fauna and tribal customs of this still little-known region, Kingdon-Ward's account covers not only the magnificent rhododendrons and other tropical floral rarities that were the object of his travels, but also the customs of the various tribal groups encountered, the use of plants in local medical practice, the natural occurrence of tea varieties in the region and much more. A last look at a spectacular, then unspoiled, corner of Burma which since has been inaccessible and largely devastated by protracted civil war.

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Return to the Irrawaddy

Return to the Irrawaddy

by Frank Kingdon-Ward
Return to the Irrawaddy

Return to the Irrawaddy

by Frank Kingdon-Ward

Paperback(Reprint ed.)

$26.00 
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Overview

The legendary botanist and explorer records the details of his last expedition, in 1953, to his beloved northern Burma, prior to his death five years later. Frank Kingdon-Ward combined an insatiable taste for adventure, and the persistence to overcome any danger in his path--not to mention recalcitrant officials who attempted to block it--with the raconteur's gift to recount his adventures in a vivid and often thrilling manner.

Rich in description of the unique flora, fauna and tribal customs of this still little-known region, Kingdon-Ward's account covers not only the magnificent rhododendrons and other tropical floral rarities that were the object of his travels, but also the customs of the various tribal groups encountered, the use of plants in local medical practice, the natural occurrence of tea varieties in the region and much more. A last look at a spectacular, then unspoiled, corner of Burma which since has been inaccessible and largely devastated by protracted civil war.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9789745240865
Publisher: Orchid Press
Publication date: 01/15/2019
Series: Bibliotheca Asiatica
Edition description: Reprint ed.
Pages: 280
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

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 Ward a lifelong career as a professional explorer and plant collector. In all 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.

Table of Contents

I Preparations

II Myitkyina

III On the Way

IV Early Weeks at Sumprabum

V Jungle Medicines

VI Gold Mining

VII On Foot

VIII The Silver Mine

IX How to Lose Yourself

X A Try-Out

XI Interlude at Hkinlum

XII Ordeal by Rain—I

XIII Ordeal by Rain—II

XIV Tibu Camp

XV Back to Base

XVI Tama Bum

XVII We Reach the Alps

XVIII Search for a Lily—I

XIX Search for a Lily—II

XX Hot Weather

XXI Flowers in August

XXII The Climb to Hkinlum Cliff

XXIII Rhododendrons in North Burma—I. The Lower Zones

XXIV Rhododendrons in North Burma—II.The Big-Leafed Tree Rhododendrons

XXV Rhododendrons in North Burma—III. Alpine Rhododendrons

XXVI Autumn on Tama Bum

XXVII Tama Bum: Camp II

XXVIII Tama Bum: Near the Summit

XXIX Tibu Camp in November

XXX Return to Sumprabum

XXXI Finale

Index

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