What do you do when adventure calls at an inopportune time? Who do you turn to, but God, when you need answers to how you should travel along an uncertain road? These were the type of personal and spiritual dilemmas George Patterson faced when risk knocked at his door late one night. The missionary George Patterson had married brilliant Scottish scientist, Dr. Meg, and they were raising a family, when his adopted homeland entered their life one last time. Think of Tibet, that frozen kingdom hiding behind its protective barrier of high mountains. Now add in the fact the Red Chinese had recently invaded the country and placed a bounty on Patterson’s head for his role in rescuing the Dalai Lama. Next, bring in a band of determined Tibetan guerrillas who offer Patterson a chance to witness their attack on the invading Communist army. There’s just one catch – he has to leave his wife and children long enough to accompany them on what looks like a one-way journey. The problem is no other westerner can get into Tibet, except Patterson, so the outside world is oblivious to the Chinese invasion and the atrocities being perpetrated on the Tibetans. That’s why the rebels need Patterson of Tibet to make one last journey. Just before you leave on this literary journey of a lifetime, don’t forget to tie down the independent English film-maker who will document this amazing journey with the Tibetan rebels. Now you’re ready to set off on a roller-coaster of a ride packed with undercover action, fast-shooting freedom fighters, revengeful Communists and a Scotsman who’s seen more excitement than a dozen other men. Full of sorcery and shamans, political observations and religious beliefs, Patterson’s “Gods and Guerrillas” is a rare glimpse into the 1960s forgotten war when a handful of Tibetans took on the might of the Red Army.

This is an amazing book written by a truly remarkable man!

The Long Rider author was a Scottish medical missionary who had become Tibetan in all but his broad Highland brand of personal enthusiasm. Relying both on his companionship with God and on his own strength, he undertook a life few can have known, and a journey of emergency across the wildest parts of Tibet.

In 1950 the Communists advanced into Tibet, and a warning had to be taken to India. The only way to achieve this was by riding through the Himalayas!

“Though it was winter Patterson chose a 300-mile route to Sadiyah, in northern Assam, which hardly anyone had completed before. The snows on the high passes might beat him, but at any rate he would be travelling first-class by Tibetan standards. He knew how to behave if the Tibetan winter would let him. If he could find the villages he had authority to commandeer relays of food and transport; the headmen would be (and were) beaten up if these were not forthcoming. As for his companions of the Khamba tribe, he could beat them at most of their own games. He was a superb horseman; he loved their horseplay and their ribaldries; his body was an engine as efficient as theirs for mobile operation in low temperatures at 20,000 feet; he could forget about baths for two months as happily as they could for their whole lives.” said London’s The Times.

This classic narrative matches in sheer virility the equestrian journey it records.

Years later, with the Red Chinese still occupying Tibet, and with a bounty on his head for his role in rescuing the Dalai Lama, a band of determined Tibetan guerrillas invited Patterson to witness their attack on the invading Communist army. No other westerner could get into Tibet, except Patterson, so the outside world was still oblivious to the Chinese invasion and the atrocities being perpetrated on the Tibetans. So Patterson went back into his adopted country – illegally – and with a film crew!

This intense autobiography goes on to reveal how Patterson crossed swords with India's Prime Minister Nehru, helped with the rescue of the Dalai Lama and befriended a host of unique world figures ranging from Yehudi Menhuin to Eric Clapton. This is a vividly-written account of a life of high adventure and spiritual odyssey.

Such a fascinating story could only be told by a scholar of unique ability and experience. George Patterson is that type of exceptional author, a man of action who has spent his life immersed in Biblical study, a missionary in Tibet turned equestrian explorer who rode across the snow-covered Himalayas on an errand of mercy, the author of many books on Christianity whose work as an undercover journalist brought him into frequent danger.

With his intimate knowledge of the Scriptures, coupled with his work as an historical researcher, Patterson has created a classic tale which finally resolves the riddle of Mary Magdalene.