Phantom Voices in Tibet [Paperback]

June Calender (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Calender, an American who made two rather ordinary and brief tourist visits to Tibet in 1995 and 1996, has written an account of these trips, weaving imaginary conversations with writers of earlier landmark books on Tibet, including Alexandra David-Neel, Theos Bernard, and Heinrich Harrer (Seven Years in Tibet). Calender quotes extensively from their writings in order to contrast the country before and after its takeover by China in the 1950s. While this is a clever literary device for a travel narrative, it can make for choppy reading, and the fabricated dialog can be distracting as well. The unremarkable drawings are based on the author's own photographs. A number of excellent recent books on Tibet, including Robert Apte's Tibet: Enduring Spirit, Exploited Land (LJ 5/1/98) and Steven Batchelor's Tibet Guide (Wisdom Pubs., 1998), make this debut a secondary choice for most libraries.AHarold Otness, Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Creative Arts Book Company (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887392407
• ISBN-13: 978-0887392405
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,089,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phantoms in Tibet, August 23, 2000

By 

Tiah A. Foster (Sun Lakes, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Phantom Voices in Tibet (Paperback)

This is a very good overview of some of the early 'trespassers' and their trips to Tibet from the perspective of the author who has been there during current times. It is a good chance to understand some of their fascination, wishes and dreams and to see how they compare to our own wish for a Shangri-la. This is especially true as the author had access to the actual diary of one of the people.

The pictures by the author's daughter are done with great charm and help convey the wonderful culture that has been nearly destroyed by Chinese occupation. This book should definitely be read.