The "Tibetan Question;" the nature of Tibet's political status vis-Ã -vis China; has been the subject of often bitterly competing views while the facts of the issue have not been fully accessible to interested observers. While one faction has argued that Tibet was; in the main; historically independent until it was conquered by the Chinese Communists in 1951 and incorporated into the new Chinese state; the other faction views Tibet as a traditional part of China that split away at the instigation of the British after the fall of the Manchu Dynasty and was later dutifully reunited with "New China" in 1951. In contrast; this comprehensive study of modern Tibetan history presents a detailed; non-partisan account of the demise of the Lamaist state.Drawing on a wealth of British; American; and Indian diplomatic records; first-hand-historical accounts written by Tibetan participants; and extensive interviews with former Tibetan officials; monastic leaders; soldiers; and traders; Goldstein meticulously examines what happened and why. He balances the traditional focus on international relations with an innovative emphasis on the intricate web of internal affairs and events that produced the fall of Tibet. Scholars and students of Asian history will find this work an invaluable resource and interested readers will appreciate the clear explanation of highly polemicized; and often confusing; historical events.
#1571797 in Books 1981-04-29 1981-04-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x .83 x 5.50l; .95 #File Name: 0520042395335 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy AlexandriaExactly as advertised.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent OverviewBy A. McDonaldThe book has achieved its goal of overviewing the religious belief systems of Native American tribes of north and south america. Excellent resource book for religious comparative studies and Native American tribal studies. Easily readable. Recommended!10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting and thoroughBy CustomerThe history of the world is in large part a history of its religions. Hultkrantz's book is an excellent resource on the religions and history of the American indigenous peoples.The book is divided into two parts. Part one covers the religions of the tribal cultures. Hulkrantz also does a great job in explaining all of the anthropological terms used in the descriptions. Also very interesting is the analysis of broad themes found throughout North and South America that links the beliefs of all the tribes from their origins.Part Two covers what Hultkrantz calls "Nuclear America" or the region extending from Mexico to Peru including the religions of the high cultures or advanced civilizations of the Inca; Maya; and Aztec.Readers of this book will finish with a very broad understanding of American Indian history; culture; and religion. A re-reading will give an in-depth knowledge of these cultures.
