A Tibetan Revolutionary: The Political Life and Times of Bapa Phüntso Wangye
China's brutal occupation of Tibet and efforts to quash Tibetan Buddhism have caused countless tragedies, engendering compelling tales of activism, valor, and loss. This "living" biography of Tibetans caught up in the struggle offer unusual insiders' perspectives. Few books illuminate the lives of secular Tibetans, making this vibrant biography of a Tibetan revolutionary an invaluable addition to modern Tibetan history. Three scholars (two Americans and one Tibetan) provide a historical context for the wrenching story of Phuntso Wangye, known as Phunwang, which they present in a riveting first-person narrative gleaned from extensive interviews. As a teenager, Phunwang eagerly joined a Chinese-run program designed to train ethnic minorities for government work. A natural-born leader convinced that communism was the key to better lives for Tibet's poor, he started a Tibetan Communist Party and earned praise from both the Dalai Lama and Mao. But the Chinese government betrayed him, and he spent 18 years in prison under cruel conditions. Incredibly, Phunwang possessed the resolve to return to politics after his release and has become a highly regarded author. His awe-inspiring story fills many gaps in the history of the relationship between China and Tibet and introduces to a wider world an extraordinary human being.Donna SeamanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved