It was a forbidden place, and thus irresistible. A timeless land in the sky, an other worldly people, and no use for the wheel but as a spinner of prayers. And so they came, Westerners intent on exploring Tibet and its elusive capital Lhasa. Few survived the trials of fire, ice and violence that awaited them on Tibet's natural ramparts. Where so many others had failed, two would succeed. One prevailed through stealth, a spy whose feats of espionage still rank among the greatest in the world, but have almost been forgotten. The other prevailed through force, leaving a trail of blood and tears that would shock the world and utterly transform the victor. These are the tales of their epic journeys in the fantastic and deadly race for Tibet. Winter, 1865. An over burdened caravan descends from the snowy passes of the Himalayas into the forbidden land. Few tread lightly here. Most foreigners are turned back or killed. But these hearty merchants carry coveted goods from neighboring lands.