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Voice of Hope: Conversations with Alan Clements
Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize Laureate, mother of two, and devout Buddhist, is one of the most inspiring examples of spiritually infused politics and fearless leadership that the world has ever seen. Daughter of the martyred Burmese national hero who negotiated Burma's independence from Britain in the 1940s, Aung San Suu Kyi led the pro-democracy movement in Burma in 1988. The movement was quickly and brutally crushed by the military junta, and Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest.
The Voice of Hope is a rare and intimate journey to the heart of her struggle. Over a period of nine months, Alan Clements, the first American ordained as a Buddhist monk in Burma, met with Aung San Suu Kyi shortly after her release from her first house arrest in July 1995. With her trademark ability to speak directly and compellingly, she presents here her vision of engaged compassion and describes how she has managed to sustain her hope and optimism.
The Voice of Hope is a rare and intimate journey to the heart of her struggle. Over a period of nine months, Alan Clements, the first American ordained as a Buddhist monk in Burma, met with Aung San Suu Kyi shortly after her release from her first house arrest in July 1995. With her trademark ability to speak directly and compellingly, she presents here her vision of engaged compassion and describes how she has managed to sustain her hope and optimism.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
36 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Aung San Suu Kyi
42 books328 followersBurmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Prize of 1991 for peace for her work, promoting democracy in her country.
Khin Kyi, a prominent diplomat, bore this opposition daughter of Myanmar to Aung San, a martyred national hero of independence.
Someone assassinated Aung San, her father, then the shortly independent prime minister de facto and father of Aung San Suu Kyi, his daughter of two years. She attended schools until 1960, when people appointed her mother as ambassador to India. After further study in India, she attended the University of Oxford, where she met her future husband.
With two children, she lived a rather quiet life until 1988 and then returned to nurse her dying mother. The brutal military strongman Ne Win ruled and slaughtered masses of protesters; she spoke and began a nonviolent struggle for human rights. In July 1989, the military government of the newly named Union of Myanmar placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and held her incommunicado. If she agreed to leave Myanmar, then the military offered to free her, but she refused until civilian government returned and freed prisoners. The newly formed group, the national league, affiliated her and won more than four-fifths of the contested parliamentary seats in 1990, but the military government ignored the results of that election.
From house arrest, people freed Aung San Suu Kyi in July 1995. In the following year, she attended the party congress of the national league, but the military government continued to harass her. In 1998, she announced the formation of a representative committee and declared it as the legitimate ruling parliament.
From September 2000, the military junta once again placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest to May 2002. Following clashes between the national league and demonstrators in 2003, the government returned her to house arrest.
Khin Kyi, a prominent diplomat, bore this opposition daughter of Myanmar to Aung San, a martyred national hero of independence.
Someone assassinated Aung San, her father, then the shortly independent prime minister de facto and father of Aung San Suu Kyi, his daughter of two years. She attended schools until 1960, when people appointed her mother as ambassador to India. After further study in India, she attended the University of Oxford, where she met her future husband.
With two children, she lived a rather quiet life until 1988 and then returned to nurse her dying mother. The brutal military strongman Ne Win ruled and slaughtered masses of protesters; she spoke and began a nonviolent struggle for human rights. In July 1989, the military government of the newly named Union of Myanmar placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest and held her incommunicado. If she agreed to leave Myanmar, then the military offered to free her, but she refused until civilian government returned and freed prisoners. The newly formed group, the national league, affiliated her and won more than four-fifths of the contested parliamentary seats in 1990, but the military government ignored the results of that election.
From house arrest, people freed Aung San Suu Kyi in July 1995. In the following year, she attended the party congress of the national league, but the military government continued to harass her. In 1998, she announced the formation of a representative committee and declared it as the legitimate ruling parliament.
From September 2000, the military junta once again placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest to May 2002. Following clashes between the national league and demonstrators in 2003, the government returned her to house arrest.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 2, 2012
Aung San Suu Kyi is a wonderful lady and the book written in an interview style gives in depth view of her mind and mission.
Even though it’s a wonderful book, I felt as a reader I couldn’t do justice to the book for one reasons, I wasn’t much aware of the situation in her country (Burma) so every time I have to Google up something to get the details background and everything. By nature of interview style books its all depend on the person asking question to cover the entire context (if they are planning to write book like this)
So it’s a good read, but if you are interested in her work try some other books too.
One thing that I liked most about her is her comprehensive understanding of human mind and behavior, quoting her “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it”.
I am hoping I will get to read her autobiography sometime soon after all it’s a beginning of new love affair with Aung San Suu.
Even though it’s a wonderful book, I felt as a reader I couldn’t do justice to the book for one reasons, I wasn’t much aware of the situation in her country (Burma) so every time I have to Google up something to get the details background and everything. By nature of interview style books its all depend on the person asking question to cover the entire context (if they are planning to write book like this)
So it’s a good read, but if you are interested in her work try some other books too.
One thing that I liked most about her is her comprehensive understanding of human mind and behavior, quoting her “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it”.
I am hoping I will get to read her autobiography sometime soon after all it’s a beginning of new love affair with Aung San Suu.
November 29, 2010
After her 4th release from house detention, I needed to read this.
It was not a disappointment, though the author wrote way too much of his own questions, each designed to demonstrate his own knowledge and commitment to "the cause". He got to be pretty annoying. Even with this, Suu Kyi handled even these questions with grace and diplomacy.
What a quietly powerful woman. Someday, she will get to write her whole story, as Mandela did, and we will better understand why the Nobel committee chose her for its highest prize.
It was not a disappointment, though the author wrote way too much of his own questions, each designed to demonstrate his own knowledge and commitment to "the cause". He got to be pretty annoying. Even with this, Suu Kyi handled even these questions with grace and diplomacy.
What a quietly powerful woman. Someday, she will get to write her whole story, as Mandela did, and we will better understand why the Nobel committee chose her for its highest prize.
May 25, 2011
I would have prefered if this book was written by her and from her perspective. I did not like reading about the authors opinions and questions that were worded to show his background and understanding of the topic. I didn't get the book to read about him and his experiences, I got it to read about her and he was overwhelmingly annoying.
I gave this one star not because I rate her life story poorly, but because I rate how this book was put together poorly.
I gave this one star not because I rate her life story poorly, but because I rate how this book was put together poorly.
June 29, 2014
This would have been giving a full on, spanking 5 stars, but I felt that Alan Clements (though very very aware of his subject) sometimes got in the way of the interviews with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Also at points it felt quite redundant- I reckon it is because the supported NLD lifestyle is quite barebones in the fact that it is nonviolent, and adheres to key Buddhist beliefs- a few being to be compassionate and to focus/live in the present. So in the end, Alan's questioning on things like 'moral goodness' of the opposing force, something that cannot really be discussed on a non-gossipy level, was a bit silly. Also is anybody allowed to pitch in on a conversation about what true goodness is? Has anyone really reached that high ground yet? Can you talk about it while keeping humble- as an absence of that totally impedes 'goodness' right? Anyway, you can see I was frustrated with questions like this being popped up. Asking more questions about the movement instead of having to always prove his awareness would have given him the philosophy he wanted.
I preferred his interviews with other members of the NLD- Especially U Tin U's.
This has been eye opening, and horrific in aspects, but Daw Suu's Revolution of Spirit is truly inspirational. What a swift, courageous woman.
Also at points it felt quite redundant- I reckon it is because the supported NLD lifestyle is quite barebones in the fact that it is nonviolent, and adheres to key Buddhist beliefs- a few being to be compassionate and to focus/live in the present. So in the end, Alan's questioning on things like 'moral goodness' of the opposing force, something that cannot really be discussed on a non-gossipy level, was a bit silly. Also is anybody allowed to pitch in on a conversation about what true goodness is? Has anyone really reached that high ground yet? Can you talk about it while keeping humble- as an absence of that totally impedes 'goodness' right? Anyway, you can see I was frustrated with questions like this being popped up. Asking more questions about the movement instead of having to always prove his awareness would have given him the philosophy he wanted.
I preferred his interviews with other members of the NLD- Especially U Tin U's.
This has been eye opening, and horrific in aspects, but Daw Suu's Revolution of Spirit is truly inspirational. What a swift, courageous woman.
July 6, 2013
Bit of a hard slog to get through - I guess because of the interview format which made some of the information disjointed and repetitive. But that does not undermine the fascinating investigation into Aung San Suu Kyi; her political life and beliefs. Her integrity, dedication, calmness, charisma, intelligence and humility is very inspiring. I was also moved by the conversations with other leaders of the NLD movement who continue to be so passionate and committed in spite of the hostile situation in Myanmar. Finally I was really interested in the impact of their Buddhist beliefs - living in the here and now they all seemed at such peace in themselves, in their situation and towards SLORC. Very admirable.
January 1, 2019
3 Stars = Okay. I liked the book. It was worth reading.
August 30, 2020
I do not believe in an armed struggle because it will perpetuate the tradition that he who is best at wielding arms, wields power. Even if the democracy movement were to succeed through force of arms, it would leave in the minds of the people the idea that whoever has greater arms might win in the end. That will not help democracy.
March 25, 2016
Despite what some opinionated reviews say, in context of the political situation at the time of interview and the fact that these interviews were seen as an enemy of the totalitarian rule, the book clearly and vividly allows the reader to get a sense of the 'any moment could be the last moment' for dialogue and what we all perhaps perceive as our right, freedom!
I found the Q&A style investigation heartfelt, raw, real and honest. Mr Clements is by all accounts a rare find having been trained by two of the world's most well respected meditation masters and also living and breathing Burma for years - it was imperative to have someone versed in both the culture and geopolitical nuances to create such insight.
Aung Sun Suu Kyi is a heroine for her people but also for the greater global consciousness of non-violent action and freedom. I read this again with the changes taking place in the country and hope that this time round, all of her and her colleagues difficulties and suffering have come to an end.
If you have an interest in Burma, it's culture, politics or Dhamma/Dharma/Buddhism, freedom of heart and mind, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
I found the Q&A style investigation heartfelt, raw, real and honest. Mr Clements is by all accounts a rare find having been trained by two of the world's most well respected meditation masters and also living and breathing Burma for years - it was imperative to have someone versed in both the culture and geopolitical nuances to create such insight.
Aung Sun Suu Kyi is a heroine for her people but also for the greater global consciousness of non-violent action and freedom. I read this again with the changes taking place in the country and hope that this time round, all of her and her colleagues difficulties and suffering have come to an end.
If you have an interest in Burma, it's culture, politics or Dhamma/Dharma/Buddhism, freedom of heart and mind, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
October 25, 2009
I continue to be amazed at the commitment of this woman in the face of ridiculous oppression, and the lack of any kind of response from the United States. Maybe I'm cynical but if Burma (or Myanmar as it is commonly known) had oil our country would be much more interested. Instead all they have is several million Buddhists craving peace and democracy, which doesn't seem to count for much here. That sucks.
Despite being under arrest for 14 of the last 20 years she maintains a positive and hopeful outlook, even one that holds compassion for her oppressors. I lack that and hope I can on some level be much more like her.
Despite being under arrest for 14 of the last 20 years she maintains a positive and hopeful outlook, even one that holds compassion for her oppressors. I lack that and hope I can on some level be much more like her.
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November 30, 2018In occasione del mio viaggio in Myanmar ho cercato dei libri che mi aiutassero a capire più a fondo la situazione politica di questo paese. Le parole di Aung San Suu Kyi sono di una donna forte e determinata ma la forma dell'intervista scelta dall'autore non riesce a renderle giustizia e diventa ripetitiva. Preferisco leggere qualcosa scritto di suo pugno.
January 13, 2013
An insightful series of conversations increasing my awareness of the Burmese democratic struggle, in addition to Aung San Suu Kyi's personal belief system. I found her insights into Buddhism particularly interesting. A very uplifting read, despite her years of house-arrest and personal hardship.
May 4, 2015
A very interesting read in understanding a bit more about ASSK and her philosophical perspective on things, but nothing like as informative as I was hoping regarding the political situation and history of Burma. So many questions unanswered! Must seek out more substantial books on this topic...
December 9, 2016
Nonostante la mia ammirazione per "The Lady", ho trovato questa serie di interviste a lei e ai suoi collaboratori un po' ripetitive a momenti. Sicuramente un libro da leggere ma forse non ha completamente soddisfatto le mie aspettative.
September 17, 2008
This book is so inspirational and filled with love and hope for a future of peace in Burma and the world.
Currently reading
September 3, 2008Also loving this one
didn-t-finish
March 3, 2013Stopped on page 143
May 26, 2013
Love to be inspired...
Read
June 25, 2013two quotes here:
"saints are sinners who go on trying."
"To learn the power of the powerless."
"saints are sinners who go on trying."
"To learn the power of the powerless."
July 13, 2013
Aung San Suu Khi writes remarkably well. Just reading her one can get the sense of the genuine, sincere aspiration she has for her people.
December 27, 2014
A fascinating set of interviews. This book gives a great insight into the fight for democracy for Burma.
August 6, 2017
3.5 Stars
Currently reading
May 14, 2016Learned a lot from this and will be reading this from time to time. My inspiration, my idol and my role model.
August 1, 2017
看完13对话，很受素姨的点拨！
February 28, 2018
I was so excited for this book but it just let me down.
I think it was more the way it was put into a book it wasn't a story and the interviewer pissed me off a bit.
I think it was more the way it was put into a book it wasn't a story and the interviewer pissed me off a bit.
January 2, 2008
Easily one of my favorite books ever.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews