Across Mongolian Plains

by Roy Chapman Andrews

Travelogues Collection offers readers a unique glimpse into the diverse landscape, culture and wildlife of the world from the perspective of late 19th and early 20th century esteemed travelers. From the exotic islands of Fiji to the lush jungles of Africa to the bustling streets of New York City, these picturesque backdrops set the scene for amusing, and at times prejudiced, anecdotes of adventure, survival and camaraderie. Photographs and whimsical illustrations complement the descriptive text, bringing to life the colorful characters encountered along the way. The Shelf2Life Travelogues Collection allows readers to embark on a voyage into the past to experience the world as it once was and meet the people who inhabited it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, History, China

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Roy Chapman Andrews was an American explorer, adventurer and naturalist who became the director of the American Museum of Natural History. He is primarily known for leading a series of expeditions in China in the early 20th century into the Gobi Desert and Mongolia. The expeditions made important discoveries and brought the first-known fossil dinosaur eggs to the museum. His popular writings about his adventures made him famous.

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of Roy Chapman Andrews' books I have read. This one documents his "Second Asiatic Expedition" 1918-1920 in Mongolia and Northern China.

As the blurb says, the book is written entirely from the sportsman's standpoint and has purposely avoided scientific details which would prove uninteresting or wearisome to the general public.

Andrews makes his way through the narrative with various companions, including his wife who gets credit for the many very good photographs in the book, and towards the end it breaks into chapters of which each is a separate outing, with a range of companions.

Making use of of various modes of transport, including cars, horses and walking and seldom with out a rifle in hand, Andrews collects mammal specimens for the American Museum of Natural History (of which he is the associate curator). While the needs of the museum dictate the animals 'collected' it is obvious that Andrews is also a keen hunter, and along with his companions they take most opportunities to bag their prey. Many of the villages eat well after their outings!

The irony of his suggestion that ...because of unceasing native persecution, lack of protection, the continued destruction of forests and the ever increasing facilities for transportation to the remote districts of the interior, many of China's most interesting and important forms of wild life are doomed to extermination in the very near future. is not lost on the modern reader.

Among those animals collected in the general narrative are antelope, bustards, geese, cranes, gophers, wolves, marmots, wapiti, various deer species (including roebuck and sika, muskdeer) and wild pigs.

At the end there are separate chapters on the great ram of Shanxi, the Mongolian "Argali," the horse-deer of Shanxi, the Wapiti, Roebuck and Goral, wild pigs, and the hunting parks of the eastern tombs.

Within the middle of the book Andrews describes village life in Urga (now Ulan Baatar), including descriptions of Mongolian men and women, their lifestyle and beliefs, lama's and religion.

Other than details of the animal species they were hunting, this book provided an insight into the variety of landscape in Mongolia. Despite having spent 4 weeks in Mongolia myself, I still think of Mongolia as the Gobi Desert, of desert and desert scenery. Andrews visits other parts of Mongolia which are forested and valleys carpeted with flowers, rivers and swamps.

3.5 stars.

[Bob Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Visit exotic lands. See beautiful creatures. Kill them.

OK, OK, so I'm not a hunter. Just remember, if you aren't either, you're going to find this tome a bit on the tedious side. Wow ! My sheep. Wow ! My antelope. Wow! My wapiti. They're all gonna look so great stuffed and standing in New York's Natural History Museum. And on and on. Of course this book was published in 1921. It was a different time with different values, I admit. I bought it in 1973, already a bit too late for my "boy's own adventure" stage and I just read it now. It's written in a style that has been left behind by society, though it reads smoothly and you keep hoping that he will get sick of shooting anything that moves. People who travel to faroff lands to shoot and trap countless animals for whatever reasons are no longer the Indiana Jones-model idols that Roy Chapman Andrews or Frank Buck might have been way back when. Shooting antelope and wolves from a moving car is not my idea of heroism. Even when Andrews died back in 1960, the world did not issue a great sigh of sadness. He had already outlived his time.

You might read this book thinking to learn about Mongolia (and there's a fairly long section on north China too). You could get some insights into the landscape and how romantic camel caravans looked at sunset, etc. By accident, in his descriptions of what he saw as he rode off to kill something else or drove around with his American/British friends, you can get the feel of bygone days in what we used to call "the Orient". Driving in Mongolia certainly was no picnic. Andrews generally liked Mongols. But you will also get jokes about "negroes" running from ghosts, Chinese helpers always referred to as "boys", and sentences like (as Andrews was annoyed at an excited Chinese assistant) "Finally seizing him by the collar, I threw him to the ground so violently that he realized his place was behind us." (p.244) Where was Bruce Lee when we really needed him ?

Mongolia and China were going through tremendous political turmoil, but Andrews was into shooting pigs. That's why I'm only giving it two stars. Fans of hunting adventure will probably disagree. Sorry, folks, I just can't get into that, I'm a book reviewer who might shoot a single animal if I were hungry and had nothing else, but that's it.

[Nyamka Ganni · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020_________
Сүүлд хэд хэдэн бусад номыг нь уншсаны эцэст RCA-н талаарх бодол маань эерэг талруугаа өөрчлөгдсөн. Түүний адал явдал, шинжлэх ухааны салбарт оруулсан хувь нэмрээс гадна, Азийг тэр дундаа Монголыг дэлхийд таниулахад аргагүй үнэтэй хувь нэмэр оруулсан хүн юм гэдгийг хүлээн зөвшөөрөхөд хүрэв. Тэр зүгээр ч нэг аз нь гийсэн эр байсангүй байнга хичээж өөрийг сорьж үргэлж шинийг эрэлхийлдэг нэгэн байжээ.
Үлэг гүрвэлийн өндөг олсон талаар унших хүсэлтэй бол энэ номон дээр нь гарахгүй. Харин Under a Lucky Star номыг нь уншаарай.

2014_________
Рой Чэпман Эндрюс (RCA) гэж нөхөр Монголын ачаар нэрээ олонд таниулж дэлхийн баячуудын нэг болсон. Говиос үлэг гүрвэлийн өндөг олж, анх удаа үлэг гүрвэл өндөглөдөг гэдэг нээлтийг гаргахад (бататгахад) хүргэсэн. Түүний Монголд адал явдал хайн ирсэн анхны болон хоёр дахь аяллын үеэр хийсэн тэмдэглэлээс бүтсэн ном нь энэ байна. Экспедицийн зорилго нь Азийн амьтадын судалгаа байж (Asiatic Zoological Expedition).

Түүний хамгийн анх монголд хөл тавьсан нь 1918 он байв. Анхны удаад нь нөхцөл байдал ямар байгааг шалгасан бололтой. Хүрээ орж ирээд удалгүй буцан Бээжинд очиж өвлийг өнгөрөөн дараа жил нь дахин эргэж иржээ. Хоёр дахь удаагаа ирэхдээ зорилгоо биелүүлэх нэрийдлээр шинжлэх ухааны нэрийг барьж олон ч амь тасалсанаа мөн ч бахдалтайгаар бичжээ. Цаг үе гэж сонин юм тухайн үед бол тун ч сонирхолтой адал явдал байсан болов уу. Харин 21-р зуунд бол түүний ангийн аялал дотор муухай оргиулмаар л юм байна. Буга, согоо, аргал, янгир, тарвага гээд л түүний агнаагүй амьтан гэж байна уу? Аргалыг бол бараг нэг бүлээр нь агнаж авч явахаар бэлтгэж байна. Америкийн Байгалийн түүхийн музейд нь манай хөөрхий амьтад байгаа болов уу? Хэзээ нэгэн цагт зорин очиж үзмээр санагдлаа.
Ан аваас гадна тухайн үеийн Монголын нөхцөл байдлыг бас бичиж үлдээсэн нь сайшаалтай. Монголын ачаар нэр алдар, асар их хөрөнгийн эзэн болж чадсан тул Монголд хайртай байхаас аргагүй биз. Монголын байгаль, амьтад, ард иргэд гээд бүгдэд их талтайгаар бичсэн байх ч болхи бүдүүлэг, цэвэрч бус байдлыг нь элэглэн (бараг л өхөөрдсөн мэт) бичсэн нь мөн багагүй.
Тухайн үеийн түүхэн нөхцөл байдлыг мөн бичиж үлдээжээ. 1911 онд Манжийн төр нуран унахад бид тусгаар тогнолоо зарласан ч бүрэн утгаараа тусгаар тогтнож чадахгүй байсаар байсан билээ. Явсаар 1919 онд манай төрийн томчууд хэмээн өөрсдийгөө тодотгосон Дотоод явдлын яамны сайдын үүрэг гүйцэтгэгч Бадма Торгоо, дэд сайд Дархан Пунцаг Чэйлин гэгч хүмүүсээр толгойлуулсан хэсэг лам нар 8-р Богдын дэмжлэгтэйгээр Хятадад дагаар орох (Гадаад Монголын автономит статусыг цуцлуулах) хүсэлтээ явуулж байсныг онцгойлон номондоо багтаажээ. Сонирхсон нь олж уншаарай.

за тэгээд ерөнхийдөө дажгүй шүү. Интернэтээр хайж байгаад олдсон нь энэ боловч Эндрюсийн Монголын талаар бичсэн ном өөр хэд хэд байгаа. Цаашид бусдыг нь ч гэсэн уншихыг бодно. Түүний Монголд хийсэн дараа дараагийн экспедицүүдийнх нь талаар унших бас л сонин байх болов уу. Ялангуяа тэр үлэг гүрвэлийгюн өндөг олдог аяллынх нь тухай олоод уншчихмаар л байна шүү.
Хэрвээ түүх сонирхдог бол номын эхэн хагасыг хэрэв ан ав сонирхдог бол сүүл хагасыг нь уншихад болно.

Тус номын англи хэл дээрх эх нь Гүтэнбэрг төслийн сайт дээр үнэгүйгээр байгаа тул унших хүсэлтэй хүмүүс нь тус сайтаас авч уншиж болно.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29024

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrews's account is a fascinating time capsule of contradictions at the turn of the 20th century, in the crux of the Industrial Revolution, and the dawn of the wildlife conservation movement.

Andrews and his wife Yvette were in Mongolia as part of the second Asiatic Expedition for the American Museum of Natural History, collecting specimens of the local fauna for displays in the museum as a way to preserve examples of the animals for posterity before they could go extinct. I soon lost count of all the animals he killed and sent back to "Peking".

As he careens over the Mongolian plains in his automobile, "the speedometer trembling at 35 miles per hour," he waxes nostalgic about a time before motorized vehicles, when camel caravans lumbered over the tree-less landscape.

Later, he says that soon the Gobi Desert will be crisscrossed by railroad tracks - and why delay? Who knows what the region could be made to produce under proper development?

And finally, he laments the "wanton destruction which is being wrought." It makes him sick at heart. "If China could only realize before it is too late."

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written at the conclusion of the Second Asiatic Expedition in 1918. (Book published 1921)

I was thrilled to discover I was reading the FIRST EDITION.

I expected a naturalist's description of Mongolia. The phrase "written for the sportsman should have put me on guard.

The expedition drove from Peking (Beijing) to the historic capital of Mongolia (Urga) now Ulaan Baater. They sped across the plains bouncing over ruts made by camels and carts. Seeing antelope, they stopped and hunted them. A naturalist hunting?

Then in an astounding example of hypocrisy, the party kill a wolf, along with an antelope. As the party sits down to their antelope steaks, they discuss how glad they are they killed the wolf since that would mean more antelope would be alive. I was delighted when the wind turned just as they were going to eat and essence of dead wolf that had eaten camel wafted into their dining area.

I am going to continue to read it for three reasons: 1. It is Roy Chapman Andrews. 2. It is about Mongolia. 3. I am reading the first edition.

This edition had 270 pages and I am on page 54 3/12/12 @ 8:47pm.

I did enjoy his description of Urga (now Ulaan Baater). He described camel caravans riding down the streets followed my cars. He described the rainbow hued native dress (dels) and the elaborate head gear of both the men and women.

But then he lost me again... He described how dirty the Mongolians are and their lack of personal hygiene. He called them barbarians.

He described how beautiful the Monastery is where the Llama lives. The Llama of Mongolia has only two llamas that out rank him, one being the Dalai Llama. He grossly disrespects Buddhism and displays an atrocious ignorance of the subject. He calls Lamaism a cult and blames the deplorable conditions on the religion with its "700 years worth of superstition". He says that the Llama is like a child who collects all kinds of western goodies like sewing machines and typewriters, but quickly tires of them and they are discarded. He says that the only use the Llama's car is out to is to give his minister an electrical shock as a joke. He summarizes his disrespect by concluding that the Llama is a useless person supported by naive and child like believers.

Maybe Mr. Andrews is happy where ever he is. The Soviets forced all the monks into the Red Army, killed those too old to serve and sent the rest off after burning their sacred books and the monasteries. Of course since the monasteries were the cultural and spiritual centers of the communities, not to mention being the schools... The Mongolian people were NOT better off. The Soviets also replace the written Mongolian language with the Russian Cyrillic language.

He just does way too much hunting to be credible as a Naturalist. In a brutal, heartless moment, his wife decides that she wants a baby Antelope for a "pet" and wants to carry it in her hat. He runs down a baby antelope while its mother circles helplessly nearby. Fortunately he was unable to catch it and the two day old baby rejoined its mother safely. However, he did catch one later only because it ran under his horse and got injured. No mention is made whether she kept it as a pet or not, or whether it even survived. Sound like a naturalist? Hunting with guns from a car even!

The author offers suggestions on how businessmen from the US could invest and exploit the natural resources. He advances that the water table in the eastern portion of the Gobi is shallow and agriculture could be introduced-completely ignoring the nomadic nature if the population. He also suggests that gold mines could be dug, trucks could transverse Mongolia from south to north, and that the fur trade could increase dramatically and in time, Mongolia could be the fur capital of the world. I ask: is this guy REALLY a naturalist?

As if it couldn't get any worse- after he was finished in Southern Mongolia- where he exhibited atrocious manners by declining tea that had been prepared for him because a child smelled, he travels next to Northern Mongolia where he lustfully and greedily eyes the trees and marvels at how much lumber is available.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I seem to have lost my notes for this book, so this review is written from what little I remember of it.
Why I read this book: It was recommended as being about the "original Indiana Jones".

Format: Serial Reader app on my phone.

Synopsis: The adventures of a man and his companions hunting Mongolian animals to be stuffed and exhibited by an American museum.

What I thought: Across Mongolian Plains is the dullest book I have ever read. The Serial Reader description called it "An account by the original Indiana Jones". The hope of some Indiana Jones-esque moments was the only thing that kept me reading to the end. I don't see how someone hunting animals for a museum display can reasonably be compared to Indiana Jones hunting for historical artifacts. There were a few exciting stories about some of the hunts, but mostly it was reminiscent of reading the diary of someone who keeps it for the sake of referencing the information at a later point in time.

The Bottom Line: Across Mongolian Plains might be an entertaining read for someone who has an interest in hunting or in Mongolia in the early 1900s. Some of the hunting scenes did get a bit gory, so it's probably not for young readers.

[Mary Mcqueen]

Any time I can sink my teeth into an Andrews book, I feel transported back to a time of great adventure. Andrews was an explorer and, among other ventures, opened new territory in Mongolia to the West with a joyous spirit and a storytelling magic. I got this book as an ebook for my Nook and the experience of reading it in little delicious bits could not be better. It is set in the early 1920's at a time when few automobiles had been seen by the Mongols.
Just read a few more exciting chapters : collecting mammals for Mus. of Nat. His. antelope, marmots, kangaroo rats...cool.

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author was so racist it was jarring and shocking. At one point the author threatened to get a gun for the "thieving Chinese" next time he goes to Mongolia. He was also very rude when writing about the people he met along the way.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the book quite dull, but I pushed forward nonetheless. Many times I questioned how much of Andrew's American perspective influenced his descriptions of Mongolian and Chinese culture. Some of his comments are just plain stereotypical, like calling the Chinese thieves. I felt that he had an air of superiority throughout the book. That attitude, plus his own background, makes me question his ability to really be an objective observer as that seems to be some of his purpose.

As for his intention with the book, it is unclear what that is. At times, he seems to hope that no one discovers that Mongolia is amazing, diverse, full of resources and rich culture. He becomes enraged about a farmer setting a mountainside forest aflame to gain more farmland and mourns the loss of all the plant and animal life in that forest. But then he often remarks about the advantage it would be to the United States to invest in Mongolia's resources, to work out deals with the Mongolians, to capitalize on all the available land, the Chinese workers willing to do any paid work, etc. He basically sells Mongolia, while at the same time lamenting that it should be sold. I thought this was strange.

The main thing that made the book a difficult read was the constant hunting tales. I just couldn't stomach reading about shooting perfect specimens for an exhibit in a museum.

[Sotiris Makrygiannis · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Across the Mongolian Plains" by Roy Chapman Andrews offers a riveting blend of adventure and scientific inquiry as the author delves deep into China's 'Great Northwest'. Andrews' narrative is rich with descriptions of the vast and verdant grasslands, which serve as a backdrop for the long drives and exploration that fill the pages. What surprised me most about Mongolian traditions is the poignant practice of taking those on the brink of death outside the house—a stark superstition that dictates they must die alone. Equally intriguing is the cultural nuance of the Mongolian language, which, as Andrews notes, intriguingly lacks a direct translation for the word 'thank you', suggesting a different cultural approach to gratitude and social niceties.

The book is a treasure trove of stories, not just about the nature that Andrews so passionately investigates, but also about the rich tapestry of life and customs he encounters. His keen observations and the articulate way he intertwines the scientific with the cultural make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world or in the unique ways of life that flourish in remote corners of the globe. Whether it's the expanse of the grasslands or the simplicity of nomadic traditions, "Across the Mongolian Plains" is as enlightening as it is enchanting.

[Mary McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mongolian aficionados will enjoy reading about the country at the time Ulan Batar was still known as Ugar. Otherwise, politically correct readers may take offense at any one of a number of passages. Most of the narrative involves Roy Chapman Andrews' travels across the country to collect (shoot) animal specimens for the American Museum of Natural History's permanent exhibitions. Beware.

[Stacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember when it was written, and don't judge the author too harshly for his attitudes and actions.

[Ilaria Valenti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Resoconto di una parte dei viaggi di Chapman Andrews in Mongolia, che però non include il ben noto ritrovamento dei fossili di dinosauri ma solo la sua ricerca di gazzelle, pecore e simili. Interessante la prima metà per le informazioni sul paese al tempo, e le modalità di organizzazione di questo tipo di spedizioni, per me meno interessante invece la seconda parte che si sofferma sostanzialmente solo sulla caccia agli animali (a me anche abbastanza sgradevole, oltre che noiosa).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kindle version sucks because there aren't any photographs. Other than that, the book is very interesting as RCA, who was the basis for Indiana Jones, was real anthropologist who carefully documented the Mongolian Plains including notes on the sociology of the people. His comments on the marmots was interesting -- so many as to never been extinguished by pure hunting, they would need steel traps to decimate their population. The shamans who take credit for everything, and thus require payment, the cold and frost of August reminded me of camping in the Adirondacks and finally the beautiful dress of the Mongolian women decked out in colors and jewels but surprisingly plain socks-shoe garb. He discusses the prayer flags and how they are put on lines so when the winds blow the prayers they are associated with fly up to heaven to be heard (these Mongolians are Buddhists and not Moslems btw).

The horror of the Mongolian mastiff who is ferocious to man because he lives off dead human remains because the Mongols consider the dead flesh impure. -- similar to the sky burials of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhists though eh does not mention the Mongolian dead being placed in a seated position.

[Krystelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that I read this from a modern context, and that places me very differently to the readership of the time. That said, I found this book remarkably trite and irritating. The style of writing just wasn’t particularly good. I found that the descriptions of remarkable and beautiful landscapes and creatures were overshadowed by the author’s preconceived notions of ‘civility’ (ironic given this is a hunting journal).

There was so much more that could have been done with a time capsule novel of this sort. Again, I don’t expect modern day sensibilities, but I would anticipate some more love for the place that you’re in. The attitude in particular towards the Chinese people and the Buddhist faith was neglectful at best and completely unappreciative at worst.

I’d say read on literary merit, but I’m afraid there was very little of that on the whole.

[Pat Stanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too outdated for me

I had to abandon reading this about halfway through. I had hoped it would be an account of his pre-dinosaur days and maybe even lead up to that. Instead it was an account of how many animals he could kill and the joy he took from that.

I would have thought a "naturalist" would have wanted to preserve wildlife. Just shows ya how far we've come in 100 years.

[Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author gives a great description of Mongolia south the the capitol and a brief description of the country north of the capitol. He claims to be a naturalist, but he is really a hunter with a very good excuse to go to exotic places and hunt exotic animals.

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very much a product of its time, vocabulary, and ideals. That makes it difficult to read.
However, it is an well written primary source.
Hunters will probably find the book much better than non hunter's.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"After eight hours of killing work, wet to the skin and almost frozen, we crossed the first dangerous swamp and reached the summit of the mountain. Then the cart, with our most valuable possessions, plunged off the road on a sharp descent and crashed into the forest below. Chen and I escaped death by a miracle and the other Chinese taxidermist, who was safe and sound, promptly had hysterics."

Little known fact, the exploits of Roy Chapman Andrews were part of the real life basis for Indiana Jones. Andrews was a conservationist, scientist, hunter, traveler, adventurer, and writer of all those things. Some people will criticize him for having spent so much time hunting, but this was a time when conservation education meant taking specimens of various things and taking them back to a natural history museum. Like it or not, early efforts at conservation were driven primarily by hunters who wanted to make sure that herds weren't depleted and that they would always be able to hunt.

"Nevertheless, there are not many sheep there. They are the last survivors of great herds which once roamed the mountains of north China. The technical name of the species is Ovis commosa (formerly O. jubata) and it is one of the group of bighorns known to sportsmen by the Mongol name of argali. In size, as well as ancestry, the members of this group are the grandfathers of all the sheep. The largest ram of our Rocky Mountains is a pygmy compared with a full-grown argali. Hundreds of thousands of years ago the bighorns, which originated in Asia, crossed into Alaska by way of the Bering Sea, where there was probably a land connection at that time From Alaska they gradually worked southward, along the mountains of the western coast, into Mexico and Lower California. In the course of time, changed environment developed different species; but the migration route from the Old World to the New is there for all to read."

Roy Chapman Andrews lived every boy's dream. He rode the plains with actual Mongols, cooked and slept under the stars, and hunted and fished with them from the back of a horse as well as the back of a car.

"Suddenly I heard the muffled beat of hoofs. Jerking the glasses from my eyes I saw a huge roebuck, crowned with a splendid pair of antlers, bound into view not thirty feet away. For the fraction of a second he stopped, with his head thrown back, then dashed along the hillside. That instant of hesitation gave me just time to seize my rifle, catch a glimpse of the yellow-red body through the rear sight, and fire as he disappeared. Leaping to my feet, I saw four slender legs waving in the air. The bullet had struck him in the shoulder and he was down for good. My heart pounded with exultation as I lifted his magnificent head. He was the finest buck I had ever seen and I gloated over his body as a miser handles his gold. And gold, shining in the sunlight, was never more beautiful than his spotless summer coat. Right where he lay upon the hillside, amid a veritable garden of bluebells, daisies, and yellow roses, was the setting for the group we wished to prepare in the American Museum of Natural History. He would be its central figure for his peer could not be found in all Mongolia. As I stood there in the brilliant sunlight, mentally planning the group, I thought how fortunate I was to have been born a naturalist."