Reading List:

Here are a variety of excellent Tibet-related sources. The first three are my personal favorites.

Freedom in Exile: Autobiography of H.H. the Dalai Lama 1990
An essential reading documenting the life of the Dalai Lama including his childhood experiences, flight into exile, and initiatives for peace. His writing exposes his wise, humorous and compassionate character.

The Anguish of Tibet edited by Petra Kelly, Gert Bastian and Pat Aiello, 1991
A collection of over 40 articles on Tibet related issues including Chinese occupation, environmental destruction, torture and prison conditions, forced abortions and sterilization, martial law, population transfer policies and initiatives for peace. An essential document for any serious analysis of Tibet.

Fire Under Snow or The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk by Palden Gyatso, 1997
The life and experiences of a Tibetan Monk who was imprisoned for over 30 years and now travels the world giving talks to bring awareness to the issue Tibet and poor treatment of political prisoners. According to the Dalai Lama, "individuals like Palden Gyatso reveal that the human values of compassion, patience and a sense of responsibility for our own actions, which lie at the core of all spiritual practice, still survive. His story is an inspiration to us all".

Tibet, Tibet. A Personal History of a Lost Land by Patrick French, 2003.
A controversial new text written by a man who abandoned hope in the Free Tibet movement. See here for an excellent review.

The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet since 1947 by Tsering Shakya, 1999
An intensely detailed presentation of the history of Chinese-Tibetan relations over the past 50 years, recommended for those doing in depth Tibetan studies.

The Tibetan Independence Movement: Political, Religious and Gandhian Perspectives by Jane Ardley, 2002
The first thorough account of the Tibetan Independence movement. Includes debate about issues of violence and other protest tactics, as well as the future of Tibet.
Available at the U of A library.

In Exile From the Land of Snows by John Avedon, 1994
A documentation of the invasion of Tibet and resulting escape into exile of many Tibetans. Includes interviews and accounts from the Dalai Lama and several other Tibetans.

Circle of Protest: Political Ritual in the Tibetan uprising by Ronald Schwartz, 1994
An in depth analysis of the 1987-1991 Lhasa protests, including the imposition of martial law. Excellent source by a Canadian author.

Other notable sources:
Tibet Through Chinese Dissident Eyes - Essays on Self-Determination edited by Cao Changching and James Seymore
The Cultural History of Tibet by Snellgrove and Richardson
Ama Adhe, The Voice that Remembers by Adhe Tapontsang
Tibet - My Story: Autobiography of Jetsun Pema
The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet and the Dalai Lama by Melvyn Goldstein

Notable Publishers:
Parallax Press
Shambhala Publications
Wisdom Books

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