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 enlarge | Author: Thomas Laird
Publisher: Grove Press
Category: Book
List Price: $27.50
Buy New: $6.00
You Save: $21.50 (78%)
New (33) Used (29) from $2.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 558987
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.7
ISBN: 0802118275
Dewey Decimal Number: 951.5
EAN: 9780802118271
ASIN: 0802118275
Publication Date: September 28, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Best Overview of Tibet's History to Date. May 15, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I've read many books on Tibet and its culture and history (but by no means all of them), and this book is by far the most comprehensive one in its survey of Tibet's history that I've read so far. For that reason I highly recommend it.
I do agree with doomsdayer's review about Laird, though. His reactions are laughable at best ("I was astonished...", etc.), and I half-expected him to convert to Tibetan Buddhism by the end of the book. I also hope that Laird didn't represent the Dalai Lama himself that accurately, as through many of his answers to Laird's questions he seemed neither very bright, or very nice (I know I might get stoned for saying that, though).
Definitely this book's strength lies in it's sections which are non-personal historical narrative. Overall, excellent and more than worth the book's cost.
 The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama May 8, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is of vital interest to academic and lay people alike. It serves as an excellent primary source for various disciplines, including sociology, history, political science, and economics. As an academic with a PhD is sociology, I was delighted to acquire this book. Thank you.
More than a history lesson. December 13, 2006
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
Thomas Laird's latest book is a pleasure to read. It successfully juggles history, legend and the thoughts of the present day Dalai Lama for an entertaining and enlightening view of Tibet. The Story of Tibet is more than a survey of a civilization, a tale of a lost country, an interview with a living moral compass, a cautionary tale and a primer on Tibetan Buddhism. It is also a story of the personal relationship between the author and the greatest spiritual figure of our time. The Dalai Lama has an openess to the interpretation of history and the discoveries of modern research and science that is non-dogmatic and hopeful. It is really inspiring to see how willing His Holiness is to letting go of past belief systems when there is experiential, tangible evidence to the contrary. If only the other world leaders could except change so graciously.
The Middle Way of History November 21, 2006
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
This is a very unique, though sometimes problematic, historical study of Tibet. Thomas Laird had the opportunity to interview the Dalai Lama dozens of times while constructing this book, while His Holiness heartily endorsed and encouraged the project. Thus, we get a very eye-opening combination of corroborated historical data and religious conviction. Granted, this pattern isn't always successful, and the book gets off to a rocky start with the ancient history (and pre-history) of Tibet, for which information is scarce. In the early part of the book, Laird depends more on the Dalai Lama's mythological and faith-based creation tales and his interpretations of sketchy historical and archeological evidence (or, in his view, interpretation of history at different spiritual and mental levels). While it is always fulfilling to hear directly from His Holiness, the result here is a rather confusing and dubious history. Laird doesn't help much with googly-eyed reactions to the Dalai Lama's wisdom like "this is vast and complex," or "this is very difficult for non-Tibetans to understand." Meanwhile, Laird exhibits the standard Western devotee's simplistic amazement at having his mind blown by Tibetan philosophy, and while his feelings are surely sincere, he doesn't articulate them very well.
Fortunately, the book gets much better as it moves into the modern era, in which Laird can analyze concrete historical data and the Dalai Lama can give his own unique perspective on his country's developments. Laird also gained confidence by this point, actively debating His Holiness on contradictions in Tibetan philosophy or mistakes he may have made as a political leader. Ultimately, this book offers strong coverage of Tibet's history after the colonial era, with a very insightful focus on how the country has been affected by geopolitics and the worldwide support for the Tibetan cause, not to mention this Dalai Lama's vast popularity. Though there is one story that gets brushed over quickly - China's meddling in the succession of the Panchen Lama. For great coverage of that episode, plus another strong modern history of Tibet and the Dalai Lama, I would recommend "The Search for the Panchen Lama" by Isabel Hilton. "Trespassers on the Roof of the World" by Peter Hopkirk offers more in-depth coverage of the colonial era, while this book by Laird possibly offers the most accessible (though not totally problem-free) look at ancient Tibet, before you decide to tackle the classical histories noted in his list of references. [~doomsdayer520~]
Tibet's History told by the Dalai Lama in Conversation November 1, 2006
14 out of 18 found this review helpful
History throughout the ages has usually been told through conversations and discussion. But then specialists got into the act and the stories dried up but were written in tomes with endless footnotes and arcane language. What if a non-specialist teamed up with a critical modern stakeholder? The result is The Story of Tibet as related by His Holiness The Dalai Lama to Thomas Laird, a Tibetophile who spent many years in Nepal and has traveled through Tibet. The region holds a special place in the hearts, minds and spirits of many in the West. Free Tibet bumper stickers abound. His Holiness admits he knows little history and Laird has done some homework prodding from a Western perspective and the two carry on face-to-face discussions over a few years. The book is entertaining and readable in its chatty style. Alas, it isn't a people's history, the genre that began with Zinn's classic People's History of the United States and a soon to be released People's History of the Third World. Meanwhile this glimpse of the storied mountain realm is well worth reading.
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