Description
Book SynopsisAn as-told-to political autobiography of Phuntso Wangye (Phunwang), one of the most important Tibetan revolutionary figures of the twentieth century. It illuminates one of the world's most tragic and dangerous ethnic conflicts at the same time that it relates the details of a stormy life spent in the quest for a new Tibet.
Trade Review"A surprising and necessary book on Phunwang for anyone seeking to understand Tibet." - New York Review of Books "Few books illuminate the lives of secular Tibetans, making this vibrant biography of a Tibetan revolutionary an invaluable addition to modern Tibetan history.... [Phunwang's] 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." - Booklist "It is both an astonishing tale of idealism and courage and an appalling catalogue of bad faith and historical blunder...[an] important book." - Financial Times "Presents a significant, if neglected, aspect of Tibetan biographical history." - Shambhala Sun/buddhadharma "Taken from many hours of interviews, the narrative flows well, and the translation is highly readable, with helpful explanatory footnotes." - Library Journal"
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Note on Romanization and Abbreviations List of Key Persons Introduction. A Brief Historical Context PART I. GROWING UP IN KHAM AND CHINA 1. Childhood in Batang 2. The Coup of Lobsang Thundrup 3. School Years PART II. THE TIBETAN COMMUNIST PARTY ERA 4. Planning Revolution 5. Returning to Kham 6. To Lhasa 7. The Indian Communist Party 8. On the Verge of Revolt 9. Escape to Tibet 10. From Lhasa to Yunnan PART III. THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 11. The Return to Batang 12. The Seventeen-Point Agreement 13. To Lhasa Again 14. With the PLA in Lhasa 15. A Year of Problems 16. An Interlude in Beijing 17. Beginning Reforms PART IV. INCARCERATION 18. Tension in Lhasa 19. Labeled a Local Nationalist 20. To Prison 21. Solitary Confinement 22. A Vow of Silence PART V. AFTER PRISON 23. Release from Prison 24. A New Struggle 25. Nationalities Policy Epilogue. A Comment by Phunwang Appendix A. Original Charter of the Eastern Tibet People's Autonomous Alliance Appendix B. Summary of Talks with Tibetan Exile Delegations Appendix C. Some Opinions on Amending the Constitution with Regard to Nationalities Glossary of Correct Tibetan Spellings Index
