Year of the Tiger — Jack Higgins

1962. The Cold War heats up as the space race begins. And one scientist, living under house arrest in Chinese-controlled Tibet, holds the key to victory.

Paul Chavasse is inserted into Tibet on a desperate mission that may be the West's only hope of beating the Soviets to the moon. He must locate--and smuggle out--Dr. Karl Hoffner. But enemies are everywhere--from Chinese occupiers and distrustful natives to Soviet agents shadowing their every move. Fighting for their lives, Chavasse and Hoffner must race across one hundred rugged miles to freedom, as the future of space travel--and the world--hangs in the balance...