Tears of Blood: A Cry For Tibet

by Mary A. Craig

Since 1959, when China claimed power over this tiny mountain nation, more than one million Tibetans are believed to have perished by starvation, execution, imprisonment, and abortive uprisings. Many thousands more, including their spiritual and political leader, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, have been driven into exile.The country has been systematically colonized, so that indigenous inhabitants are now a second-class minority. Not only are Tibetans being squeezed out by Chinese settlers, but there are reports of Tibetan women being forcibly sterilized and of healthy full-term babies being killed at birth. Thousands of Tibetans languish in prison and suffer appalling torture. Rich mineral resources have been plundered and the delicate ecosystem devastated. Buddhism, the life blood of Tibet, has been ruthlessly suppressed.Mary Craig tells the story of Tibet with candor and power. Based upon extensive research and interviews with large numbers of refugees now living in exile in India, this book presents four decades of religious persecution, environmental devastation, and human atrocities that have caused Tibetans to weep "tears of blood."

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew a small amount of what had happened in Tibet before reading Tears of Blood, A Cry for Tibet. Having finished the book I am shocked of what has happened to the Tibetan people. What the Chinese have done to the Tibetans is nothing other than a genocide. The book sheds light on how governments can turn a blind eye to such atrocities in favor of trade deals and cheaper consumer goods over human rights violations. While reading I couldn't help think about George Orwell's, 1984. While many like to compare the increasing surveillance state of the United States and other western countries to 1984, China is also a perfect example. The propaganda and suppression of truth issued by the Chinese is horrifying. The use of torture and the destruction of history and culture is appalling, and it seems not much is getting better for the Tibetan people. Living in the United States we have so many freedoms that the people of Tibet have all but lost. More than ever I am aware of how important it is to be politically active so as to keep our freedoms, many of which have already gone and are on the verge of being lost. Oppressive governments are a seriously scary thing to imagine, and while it is nothing like that here in the West, if the citizens of countries like the U.S are not politically aware of the actions being taken up by their government, if they are lax in their care for being informed and active, our freedoms can slip away in an evening.

[Elwyn Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I AM a Mahayana Buddhist, I first set out with the intention to read this book to gain more knowledge about Tibet. I was vaguely aware of how Tibet had been invaded by Chinese occupying forces sometime in the nineteen fifties, but until I read Mary Craig's book, I had no idea of the level of unending misery and tragedy carved into the souls of all Tibetan people since the illegal occupation. Each and every firsthand and unforgettable personal accounts from surviving Tibetan citizens of what horrific crimes they have endured, have an immense power to leave indelible marks on the human soul. If you are strong enough to carry their stories with you forever, then please read so all those that have been murdered, executed, tortured, raped, disappeared, experimented upon, incarcerated will never be forgotten.

[Simone Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard book to read but one that should be read. Cried tears,

[Rachit Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-breaking novel about how tibetans have suffered since Tibet was illegally captured by Chinese. This book give horrific details about various types of tortures and gruesome tactics, both mentally and physically, PLA uses on the helpless people of Tibet. People are fleeing from Tibet into India because of tyranny of Chinese rule. I pray to Lord Buddha that may Tibet be free from Chinese Occupation. This book is must read by every person so that people may come to know as to how Chinese are threat to whole mankind.

[Lorraine Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should should read. At times so horrifying I had to put it down as I was so upset. It gives you the real story behind the Chinese take over of Tibet and not the sanitised Chinese version.

[Heidi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written and emotional to read- the descriptions in here are so graphic and awful but they also are absolutely essential for people to know. This is a horrifying true story that deserves to be told!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tough book to get through because it is so graphic.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read. Read it with urgency.

[Haeyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended. This book made me aware of the ferocious cruelty and discontempt those holding power show can show to the reperessed. I think there is a responsiblity to take interest in this situation as it affects not only the plight of the Tibetan people but also has great implications for the possible actions of China towards its neighbours and minorites in it's own country in the future.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

B Many of the stuff in here I've read already; a lot of stress on the torture; upsetting, and wish there was more suggestions on what to do

[Natalie Stotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book to read, brutal, but definitely a must read. It completely changes the way you see things.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad but a great read

[Karen Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard to say that I loved it because it is harrowing, but essential reading for anyone who is interested in the Tibetan tragedy.

[Kimberly]

Recommended to me by Joe Simpson, mountaineer.

[Kezang Choden]

I'm not giving this book any star because I simply can't decide. Somehow saying that I 'really liked' it sounds like betrayal to the harrowing tales in the book.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

One hopes that some day the Chinese people will find out the truth of their country’s heinous crimes against humanity and take the appropriate action to remedy those crimes.