The Spirit of Tibet: Portrait of a Culture in Exile [Paperback]

Alison Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1998

This visually stunning, full-color portrait of Tibetan life in exile displays the spirit of Tibetan refugees living in the beautifil mountain settings of northern India and shows how they have preserved the best of their unique culture and identity.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This stunning book of color photographs by photojournalist Wright of Tibetans living in exile in Northern India captures the variety of daily experience, from images of monks and laypeople at work or prayer to a portrait of a young nun who had been tortured in Tibet before her escape.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This is the best photobook on Tibetan culture that I have ever seen!" --Ngawang Khechog, musician

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (January 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559391073
• ISBN-13: 978-1559391078
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,521,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Work, January 31, 2002

By 

Matthew M. Yau "Voracious reader" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Spirit of Tibet: Portrait of a Culture in Exile (Paperback)

Ever since I read Heinrich Harrer's "Seven Years in Tibet" six years, then the later "Return to Tibet" by the same author, I was hooked to Tibet, the Tibetan people, the Tibetan land, the Tibetan mountains, the Tibetan monasteries, everything Tibetan. I have cultivated an unspeakable tie to this unique land and its people. I began screening movies such as Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet. I have imagined and pictured Tibet according to Harrer's lively and mindful description during his residence in Lhasa. "The Spirit of Tibet" graciously allows me, for the very first time, to see Tibet unveiling its mysterious yet solemn beauty. A few other readers have complimented on the artistics and aesthetics of this collection. The collection really touches me because it communicates an unfailing passion. After the Chinese invasion in 1950, it is the Tibetan spirit and passion that sustain and unite the country and its people. When you look through the pictures, try to look into the Tibetans' eyes. Behind these eyes you will free yourself from the ordinary and see their life struggles, one and one, rooted deep in their mind and soul.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A portrait of a beautiful people in exile, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Spirit of Tibet: Portrait of a Culture in Exile (Paperback)

As a photographer and teacher of the photo arts it is easy to realize the quality of capturing the humanity of the people in this beautiful book. Alison Wright has done an excellent job. Place this in you home so that the tragedy that has been inflicted on the Tibetan people by the brutal and ruthless government of China is not forgotten.

Additional reads on the subject should include Tears of Blood / A Cry For Tibet by Mary Craig and for those who like their history in the style of Hollywood check out Kun Dun by Martin Scorcese, 7 years in Tibet, and Little Budda.

This book will move you to write your elected officials and ask them to support policies that will get China out of Tibet. You may also want to visit the official website for the Government of Tibet in Exile.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, touching &devoted portrait of Tibetans in exile, November 11, 1998

By 

Scott A. Hunt (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spirit of Tibet: Portrait of a Culture in Exile (Paperback)

One thing is clear from this beautiful and touching portrait of Tibetans living in exile in Northern India: Alison Wright was devoted to capturing the essence of the Tibetan character, and she did so brilliantly. Not only do her photographs capture the stark color contrasts and subtle shades of light in the tiny mountain village of Dharamsala, but she masterfully captures the almost-inexplicable joy and humor that the Tibetans display despite their ongoing hardships. Her subjects range from small smiling children with rosy cheeks to weathered old monks whose eyes seem to hold a million stories. Central to the work is her unique portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her picture of the Dalai Lama's hands holding a string of prayer beads is particularly captivating. Another exceptionally good photograph shows a young Tibetan man waiting reverently to see the Dalai Lama, his head turned expectantly, looking excited yet restrained. In sum, there are many collections of Tibetan images available these days, but, in my opinion, Ms. Wright's work should be the first one you buy. Bravo, Ms. Wright! Give us more! -- by S.A. Hunt