| |  | Author: Thomas Laird
Publisher: Atlantic Books
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Format: Import
Media: Paperback
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
ISBN: 1843545381
EAN: 9781843545385
ASIN: 1843545381
Publication Date: November 30, 2006
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| Customer Reviews:
 Incorrect and distorted view of history May 23, 2007
6 out of 27 found this review helpful
This book makes claims that are not well research and historically incorrect. It is one thing to quote conversation with the Dalai Lama, it is another thing for the author to reach conclusions with incorrect and distorted historical facts. In addition, the book reaches conclusions that simply do not make logical sense. In one claim, the author states that Tibet is not a part of China by saying the Manchus instead of the Chinese controlled Tibet. His view of China is limited to the China over one thousand years ago and a person who's ancestry is not of Chinese over one thousands ago, is not considered to be Chinese by Thomas Laird. It is like saying no one in America is considered American unless he/she a native American. The Manchus are a ethnic minority in China just like the Blacks and Hispanics are in United States. The author offer a sample and distorted conclusions on Tibet. Read the book if you will and listen to what the Dalai Lama's view on the matter, but ignore the silly conclusions made by the author. If you really want to learn the truth about Tibet don't just read this book, read something that opposes Dalai Lama's view as well. Learn the type of society Tibet was when Dalai Lama was in Tibet.
 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~]
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