Tibet: Turning the Wheel of Life

by Françoise Pommaret-Imaeda

The name Tibet traditionally conjures up a kaleidoscope of timeless images: extraordinary and dramatic landscapes, snow-capped mountains, Buddhist monks and monasteries. But stark new images have now been created by the tide of political events: Chinese soldiers outside the Potala Palace, young Tibetan refugees, the struggles of a nation in exile. This new title in the acclaimed New Horizons series explores the cultural and historical roots of the Tibetan people, their customs and beliefs, and their relations with the wider world, in order to give a fuller understanding of this remarkable land and its indomitable spirit.

Genres: History, Travel, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ana-Maria Bujor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this little books because I really don't know much about Tibet. The writing and the beautiful images helped me in that regard and I got some fascinating insight regarding the spiritual life and the history, as well as the abuses committed by the communist regime in China. My only complaint is related to there being almost no information about the life of the average Joe. There has to be more to it than just them being spiritual in the sense understood by westerners. It's a good introduction though, so maybe it's just meant to make one curios and go look for more.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

203 - 2019

[Tito Quiling, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other cities and locations around the globe that are more or less foreign to us, and those that we read usually in older historical texts, Tibet is one of those places that are shrouded in mystery even in modern times. You have Bhutan, Timbuktu, Samarkand, Inner Mongolia, among others, that allowed people to think about what life in those areas are. This quick read provides an overview of images and key information regarding the Plateau on the northern side of the Himalayas, whose region has been contested by the People's republic of China and what used to be an entirely autonomous governance. Today, it is a province-level condition that is part of the republic, working under the central government miles away. Despite the political and social turmoil that has been part of contemporary Tibetan life and how it is projected towards the rest of the world, its traditions and practices have been carefully and strongly preserved by the peoples who inhabit the plateau that captured the interest of most outsiders.

[Michael Kerjman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a compact informative book that provides a vast volume of various information, historic, cultural, political for seeking info of Tibet.

Highly recommended.

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over forty years ago I became interested in Tibet after reading Walter Evans-Wentz' "Tibetan Book of the Dead." Pommaret's interesting, informative and enjoyable book helped me put much into better perspective. This volume covers the people, geography, culture, religion and politics of an isolated and mysterious land. Included is an account of the Tibetan Empire which began in 618 under the rule of Songtsan Gampo and covered parts of what are now China, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Tibetan dominance of Central Asia lasted until 841. Pommaret's final chapter focus on the plight of the Tibetan people currently under the rule of China and the efforts of the Tibetan government in exile to regain sovereignty and control of its own destiny.