In 1924, a former Parisian opera singer disguised herself as a soot-smeared beggar, hiding a compass, ransom money, and a pistol beneath yak-wool rags to sneak into the forbidden city of Lhasa. This deep dive traces the century-long life of Alexandra David-Neel and her transformation from anarchist to Buddhist authority.

Shaped by a childhood visit to a mass execution site, David-Neel became a chronic runaway, a Freemason, an anarchist author, and an opera soprano before converting to Buddhism. Her independent fortune funded a 14-year journey through Asia in pursuit of spiritual mastery.

• Her bond with the Crown Prince of Sikkim and meeting the 13th Dalai Lama
• Her adopted son and lifelong companion, the monk Aphur Yongden
• Her anchorite cave training in tummo heat generation and sensory isolation
• Her disguis ...