Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, October 28, 1996

Tibetan Nation: A History of Tibetan Nationalism and Sino-Tibetan

Relations by Warren W. Smith

Description from dust jacket: This detailed history offers the most comprehensive account available of Tibetan nationalism, Sino-Tibetan relations, and the issue of Tibetan self- determination. Warren Smith explores Tibet's ethnic and national origins, the birth of the Tibetan state, the Tibetan Buddhist state and its relations with China, Tibet's quest for independence, and the Chinese takeover of Tibet after 1950.

Focusing especially on post-1950 Tibet under Chinese Communist rule, Smith analyzes Marxist-Leninist and Chinese Communist Communist Party nationalities theory and policy, their application in Tibet, and the consequent rise of Tibetan nationalism. Concluding that the essence of the Tibetan issue is self- determination, Smith bolsters his argument with a comprehensive anaylsis of modern Tibetan and Chinese political histories.

Recommendations:

"Warren Smith's sweeping history of the Tibetans as a people does much to fill in the holes that have long existed in our general knowledge about Tibet. This well-written and thorough a account is a crucial companion for anyone who wants to know how this singular land came to its present impasse with China."

Orville Schell

"A monumental one-volume political history of Tibet, which is particularly comprehensive and up-to-date on Tibet's modern period. Dr. Smith's skillful reading of Chinese propaganda material, uncovering the process of Chinese Communist takeover of Tibet and the nature of its rule, is a triumph of discerning research.

Jamyang Norbu

"Warren Smith's book is an important reference work on Tibet and a source for the most in-depth analysis on many issues. Few other English language works surpass his in comprehensive detail.

John Ackerly

700 pages, 20 photos, maps. Hardcover Available from Westview Press, Boulder Colorado 303-444-3541 or www.hcacademic.com