Patrick French (1966–2023)

Truth is stranger than fiction... this book is good evidence! He could pack in the crowds in his day, telling yarns of his exploits in remote Central Asia. Not really a household name any more! Sic transit...

The basic puzzle this book works to solve is: how to mesh the early part of Younghusband's life to the later part. In the early part, he was an imperial adventurer, carry the British flag to remote places, along with enough troops to keep it flying. The weak Asiatic races should be happy to be ruled by the robust White Man. In the later part, Younghusband is praising Ramakrishna, providing a speaking platform to Suzuki, and recommending that Britain exit India ASAP.

Younghusband had a couple mystical experiences that signaled his transition. But he was traveling everywhere, meeting everyone. Maybe the mystical experiences were simply a way to integrate these experiences into a fresh outlook.

Emerson's slogan "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" fits here, for sure. Younghusband kept moving and never looked back.

One facet of his life... he was practically bankrupt in his later years... well, in his earlier years, too! But that hardly got in his way.

We read here about Charles Lindbergh flying Younghusband around in India. The whole book is like that. Unbelievable but true!… (more)