Wind Between the Worlds: Captured in Tibet

by Robert Ford

Although the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the subsequent Communist program of Cultural Revolution forty years ago destroyed most of the monasteries, ancient shrines, and much of Tibetan art, remnants of that ancient civilization--including the tenets of Buddhism and the Middle
Way--continue to fascinate the world at large. The fortieth anniversary of the Chinese invasion of Tibet holds great personal significance for Robert Ford, who in 1950 while working as a radio officer for the government of Tibet, was the only Westerner to witness the invasion. The invading Chinese
took him captive and held him prisoner until 1955, accusing him of espionage, anti-Communist propaganda, and murder.
First published in 1957, Captured in Tibet recounts Ford's experiences in bringing radio communications to Tibet. Ford writes movingly of his years in captivity and of his captors' attempts to reform his thinking. This new edition contains a foreword by Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama and a
postscript by Ford which brings the story fully up to date.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, China

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[Kevin Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a ham radio operator, i picked it up, expecting to read about radio in a foreign country that I knew little about. There wasn't a lot about radio after all.

However I learnt a lot more about Tibet and the takeover of Tibet by the Chinese, and their "party doctrine" than I expected. For that reason I found it interesting. The story itself held my interest. A pleasant surprise, considering I picked the book initially expecting a totally different more technical read. Glad I read it.

[Rick Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiographical account of the author's survival of the Chinese occupation of Tibet in the early 1950s, and his subsequent capture and imprisonment for five years in China.

The author worked as a radio station operator on Tibet's eastern frontier, one of only two British citizens in Tibet in the 1950s. His depiction of daily live in Tibet and the events leading up to the invasion are brilliant, with a cast of interesting characters and a mix of admiration and cynicism toward the political culture at the time.

The story takes a darker turn after the author's capture, where the focus turns to his experience with communist "re-education" in the Chinese prison system, and his efforts to save himself from possible execution as he is accused of espionage and the murder of a Chinese=sympathizing Tibetan monk.

There is certainly an undertone of old-style British colonialism in the author's musings, although he also provides ample critique of Western intervention in other cultures. The writing is better when focusing on interpersonal relations, although with the author's experiences it is inevitable that the political elements come to the forefront.

More interesting events take place during the first half of the story, but again, given the author's circumstances, the narrative of the years in prison are necessary to complete the journey.

Overall, this was a well-detailed look at a pivotal moment in history and a chance to witness it through the eyes of people caught up in it.

[Mazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A healthy,well fed robot is a poor substitute for a human being". 🙌
#Free Tibet

[Iniville · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story. It also provides context to what's happening in Tibet and China in 2020.

[Lehu Lhamo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want ready