Tibet: The Roof of the World Between Past and Present [Hardcover]

M. Antonia Sironi Diemberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2004

In the Western imagination Tibet often seems an isolated fortress, outside of time, withdrawn behind the chain of the Himalayas. The author leads the reader through the maze of geographical, geological, mythical, historical, social, and religious details to portray everyday life in Tibet. In the drama of the country's current situation, Tibetan life is split by infinite contradictions where new social realities must be reconciled with ancient traditions, oracles still relay the voices of the mountain gods, and Buddhist monks strenuously defend their religion. Lavish photographs portray an incredible blend of tradition and modernity stretching from remote nomadic tents to the cyber cafés of Lhasa.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In a coffee-table book that will likely take up half the table, Maria Sironi Diemberger gathers some of the most fabulous photographs of Tibet into an encyclopedic collection. Unlike many books of this kind, the text accompanying the illustrations is more than just explanatory filler. Geologist and humanitarian Sironi Diemberger is intimate with her subject. The opening chapter contains not only the best succinct history of Tibet you may find but petroglyphs, paintings, maps, and frescoes from Tibet, China, and Europe, as well as early photographs from the likes of Heinrich Harrer. Satellite photos orient you to the lay of the land, and for the rest of the book, there are gorgeous vistas of indigo lakes, looming peaks, emerald grasses, and crystal snows. Candid shots of monks, bird's eye views of prostrating pilgrims, comparison photos of monasteries before and after the Cultural Revolution make for more than just idle viewing. Sironi Diemberger's text is packed with both information and light and with personal journal entries. A caption that in another book might read, "Ornaments at Tashilhunpo Monastery" here reads: "The monastery of Tashilhunpo at Shigatse was founded in 1447 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Thanks to the influence of the Panchen Lama, it was spared by the Cultural Revolution and its temples and chapels still boast their ancient ornaments." Before planning that trip to Shangri-La, pry open this book and take an armchair tour. --Brian Bruya --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Maria Antonia Sironi Diemberger is a geologist, writer and translator. Having toured the world as a mountaineer, she has spent much of the past fifteen years on field studies in Tibet and Nepal.
Kurt Diemberger is a mountaineer, filmmaker, and photographer. He is the only person alive to have succeeded in climbing two 26,000-foot mountains at the first attempt: Broad Peak and Dhaulagiri. He lost his climbing companion, Julie Tullis, during a storm that cost the lives of four other climbers on K2.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: White Star (October 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8854400106
• ISBN-13: 978-8854400108
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 1.2 x 14 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,133,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystical Tibet - The roof of the World, January 2, 2001

By 

Doris Dondur (Plattekloof Glen South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tibet: The Roof of The World Between Past and Present (Hardcover)

I purchased this book near the Assan in Kathmandu after I had just returned from a wonderful holiday to Tibet very recently and lugged all the way home to South Africa. This book is very special, lovingly put together by the author who obviously knows this country very well. The abundant colour photographs contained in the book are superb and very indicative of the real Tibet as can be seen by us Western Travellers. The text enhances the photographs and puts into words what the photos cannot tell. A wonderful coffee table book which will lead to many hours of discussion amongst friends.

This book must be the second best thing to visiting Tibet, the roof of the World, as a tourist. If you have had the privilege to have been exposed to "the lure of Tibet" it brings back many memories in a superb manner - both through photographs and words, if you have not been so lucky as to have been able to visit it - this book is certainly the second best thing.

Definitiely to be recommended!!