Warriors of Tibet: The Story of Aten and the Khampas' Fight for the Freedom of Their Country (Wisdom Tibet Book)

Average customer rating:

Incredible, First-Hand Account of the Violent Plunder of Tibet's Land, People, Culture and Spiritual Roots

This book is the "Black Elk Speaks" of Tibet

Warriors of Tibet: The Story of Aten and the Khampas' Fight for the Freedom of Their Country (Wisdom Tibet Book)
Jamyang Norbu
Manufacturer: Wisdom Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Tibet | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
Reference | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
General | World | History | Subjects | Books
Tibetan | Buddhism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Buddha's Warriors: The Story of the CIA-Backed Tibetan Freedom Fighters, the Chinese Communist Invasion, and the Ultimate Fall of Tibet

The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet Since 1947

A Tibetan Revolutionary: The Political Life and Times of Bapa Phüntso Wangye

The Saltmen of Tibet

ASIN: 0861710509

Book Description

A gripping story of fierce Tibetan resistance to China's brutal invasion of Tibet.

Customer Reviews:

Incredible, First-Hand Account of the Violent Plunder of Tibet's Land, People, Culture and Spiritual Roots.......2007-06-16

"I also had my Russian rifle, but at the moment it was useless as I had no ammunition for it. It was not much to fight the Chinese with, yet I felt I had made the right decision, and that there was no use in being a man if I did not have the courage to rise and fight the enemy."

These words vividly convey the brave thoughts and noble emotions of Rapten Dorje (Aten), a Tibetan native son whose family and land and culture were violently ripped away from him by the invading Chinese in the 1950s. Raised and nurtured with a life-long, deep spirituality and prayerful compassion for all living things, Aten and his fellow Khampas (of Eastern Tibet) were taught to live by the teachings of their beloved spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

This short book is Aten's extremely powerful autobiography as told through Jamyang Norbu, a former member of the Tibetan guerilla force himself who later worked for the Tibetan government-in-exile. The two met in 1974 and worked closely together to produce this amazing chronicle of a spiritually-rich, peaceful people who have lived in virtual isolation for many, many centuries on the "roof of the world."

Aten presents a beautiful, lucid story of his native Tibet during his formative years before the onslaught of Chinese invaders - the physically robust and spiritually devoted Tibetan people, the great monasteries, magnificent Tibetan Buddhist traditions, tremendously skilled Khampa horsemen, the centuries-old spiritual significance of "om mani padme hum" and, of course, Lhasa's tremendous Potala Palace. "For our people in Eastern Tibet, it was the ultimate experience to see Lhasa at least once before we died."

I heartily agree with a previous reviewer who calls this book "the `Black Elk Speaks' of Tibet." This story of the Tibetan people is painfully similar to Native Americans who were also overrun by outsiders who bribed them and lied to them, stole their land, destroyed their culture and heritage and, eventually, murdered their men, women and children.

"Warriors of Tibet" is an amazing, well-written story that will resonate in your mind (and especially in your heart).

This book is the "Black Elk Speaks" of Tibet.......1998-06-20

"From this lofty peak of my old age, I look back toward the memories of my young days, and they still stand before me, vivid and clear as the crystal streams of my land, Nyarong."

So begins the autobiography of Rapten Dorje, known as Aten, as told to Jamyang Norbu in 1974 from exile in India. Aten, who was born in 1915, speaks in lucid and heartfelt tones of his life as a child in the tribal culture of Nyarong, which is located in the eastern province of Tibet, Kham. This short and incredibly poignant book provides a sharper picture than any I have previously encountered of the pre-1950 culture of Tibet and its near-total destruction during the Chinese invasion of the 1950's and its aftermath. In a voice that calls forth eerie reminders of Wounded Knee, Aten laments in the book's opening page of the slaughter of his family in a surprise Chinese attack, "...On a frozen wasteland, thinly covered with wind-swept snow, I left behind me the twisted, bullet-ridden carcasses of my family and my only little daughter...So much sorrow, so much pain and death."

The Khampas (people of Kham), who seem to have a reputation in Asia reminiscent of the Sioux on this continent, are a striking people. Incredibly skilled horse riders, they were also fierce warriors who fought a guerilla war against the Chinese for years in the face of scorched earth tactics and overwhelming odds before being finally crushed. Yet Kham was also filled with monasteries and produced many of the greatest meditation masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhist traditions. Of those who escaped into exile, a number of Khampa Buddhist teachers played key roles in introducing Tibetan Buddhism in the West. Ven. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche immediately come to mind as examples.

This is a beautifully spoken book, whose simple and straightforward style help shape it into an elegy for the Khampas. We're fortunate to have such a fine book among the incredibly limited literature in Eng! lish on Kham.

Book Description

From the cult of Saint Anne to the devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe, from Saint Anthony who competed with Christ for popularity in Brazil, to Jesuits who mixed freely with shamans that talked with the gods, this exciting new anthology examines the conversion of the colonized. The essays examine how New World spirits transformed into Old World saints - for example, the spirit of love transfigured into the Virgin Mary - as well as the implications of the canonization of the first American saint. Colonial Saints illustrates the complex and intimate connections among confessional life writing, canonization, and the practices of the Inquisition. There was a dynamic exchange involving local agendas, the courts in Spain and France, and, of course, Rome. This bold collection clearly shows the interplay between slavery and spirituality, conversion and control, and the links between the sacred and the political.

Customer Reviews:

What you're looking for.......2006-04-23

This is a collection of papers presented at a conference in 2003. The New York Times did a piece on that conference which you can find if you put Colonial Saints in google.

If you are interested in how catholocism was propagated in the new world this book has a lot of answers. It is the only book I have found that deals specifically with saints and the colonial americas.

Charlene Villasenor Black wrote a great paper on depictions of Saint Anne in colonial art. Another paper is about Guadalupanismo and when the culto became established. Antonio Rubial Garcia is a professor at UNAM and seems to be the preeminent scholar on hagiography (the study of holy people or saints) and colonial Mexico. He's got a peper in here too about Saint Palofax. The one on voodoo looked promising but the author lost me. I had no idea what she was talking about. Other than that I would say each item is highly readable and accessible to even those just casually interested.

There are 14 papers here. There is no overarching message but a lot of different ideas and presentations on how new world saints were modeled or old world saints reinterpreted in the colonies.

Colonial Saints: Discovering the Holy in the Americas, 1500-1800.(Book Review): An article from: Church History

Average customer rating:

Colonial Saints: Discovering the Holy in the Americas, 1500-1800.(Book Review): An article from: Church History
Christopher Vecsey
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Church History, published by Thomson Gale on September 1, 2005. The length of the article is 1024 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Colonial Saints: Discovering the Holy in the Americas, 1500-1800.(Book Review)
Author: Christopher Vecsey
Publication: Church History (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 74 Issue: 3 Page: 637(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Volcanoes are unquestionably one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring features of the physical world. Our paradoxical fascination with them stems from their majestic beauty and powerful, if sometimes deadly, destructiveness.
Notwithstanding the tremendous advances in volcanology since ancient times, some of the mystery surrounding volcanic eruptions remains today. The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes summarizes our present knowledge of volcanoes. Through its thematic organization around the melting of the earth, it provides a comprehensive source of information on the multidisciplinary influences of volcanic eruptions--both the destructive as well as the beneficial aspects.
The majority of the chapters focus on the geoscience-related aspects of volcanism (radioactive heat source, melting rock, ascent of magma, surface phenomena associated with exiting magma, extraterrestrial volcanism, etc.). In addition, complementary chapters discuss the multidisciplinary aspects of volcanism; these include the history of volcanology, geothermal energy resources, interaction with the oceans and atmosphere, health aspects of volcanism, mitigation of volcanic disasters, post-eruption ecology, and the impact of eruptions on organismal biodiversity.

In addition to its appeal to educators, students, and professional and amateur scientists, the Encyclopedia of Volcanoes functions as an important information resource for administrators and officials responsible for developing and implementing volcanic hazard mitigation around the world.

* The first and only reference work to cover all aspects of volcanology
* More than 80 separate peer-reviewed articles--all original contributions by leading authors from major institutions of science around the world, commissioned for this work
* An integrated transition from the volcanic process through hazards, risk, and societal impacts, with an emphasis on how volcanoes have influenced and shaped society
* Convenient single-volume format with topics arranged thematically--articles provide coverage of nine different aspects of volcanology
* Each entry in the Encyclopedia begins with an outline of the article content and a concise definition of the subject of the article
* 3,000 Glossary entries explain key terms
* Further Reading lists appear at the end of each entry
* Extensive cross-referencing system links related articles
* Sixteen pages of color will convey the science and excitement of this often violent phenomena
* Large 8 1/2" x 11" page size, easy-to-read double-column format

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2007-05-13

I'm an amateur volcano enthusiast, as well as a professional physicist. I can only say that I wish that a book such as this existed for my own field. It is stunningly comprehensive. Whether you are interested in the details of volcanic plumbing, caldera forming eruptions, or even if you want to read reviews of volcano movies like 'Dante's Peak' from the standpoint of a volcanologist - this book has it all! The only downside is that the book is positively enormous: over 1400 large format pages - it is a chore to lug around on business trips, let alone on field trips... Though I suppose that, at a pinch, you could use it as a shield against falling volcanic debris. Seriously though - if you are interested in volcanoes you owe it to yourself to get a copy of this book. Five stars is not enough.

...from a student's perspective..........2002-01-31

I found this text to be incredibly useful, especially considering the noticable dearth of textbooks dealing with volcanoes. The encyclopedia is comprehensible, yet in depth, and covers a broad range of topics. Whenever I have a volcano question I start here first!

EXCELLENT.......2001-10-31

An excellent book. Written by some of the worlds most renowed experts-one of whom I am fortunate enough to know!
The book is well worth the money as every aspect of volcanology is covered.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a serious intest in volcanology.

The state of the science.......2001-06-21

Great compendium of volcanology. Especially thrilling to an older geologist to see the advances in knowledge since we got out of school; for instance, seismic tomography has mapped actual magma chambers, which were semi-mythic suppositions in my undergrad day; and lo, there is the anatomy of the very volcanoes I grew up under. The book comprises dozens of specially submitted articles by diverse international authors, so you get many perspectives, not just of different disciplines, but of authors' sense of how they relate to others.

Flawed by abundant typos. The editing of this book is a great advance over say The Solar System by the same Academic Press, which was a mangled turnip; but they still have a ways to go. It is disappointing to see major scientific works bungled by bottom line that slashes proofing. NASA is probably largely responsible for the Solar System mess (Sally Ride, take a course in remedial english!). Geologists are a lot more meticulous than astronauts. But the buck shd stop with the publisher.

So buy this book and complain to Academic Press. Buy it before it goes out of print and you have to kick yourself; it will be long before the like comes again.

The King of Volcano References.......2000-08-22

As a master's student studying volcanology and remote sensing, and a research assistant at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, I can honestly say this is it! From the depths of the mantle on Earth to the dynamic volcanism on Juptier's moon Io, the large team of authors and editors cover every aspect of volcanology possible in this 1,000 + page book. The book is extremely organized, complete with a detailed index, large glossary, and most importantly, references to journal publications. The book also uses high quality images and photos (black and white and in color), as well as scientific graphs, tables, and plots of data when necessary. Despite being written by such a wide array of scientists from all over the world, this encyclopedia is written with both volcanologists and the lay person in mind. This impressive compilation is well worth the price.

Por Que Los Volcanes Echan Lava? / I Wonder Why Volacanoes Blow Their Top (Mi Primera Enciclopedia / My First Encyclopedia)

Average customer rating:

Por Que Los Volcanes Echan Lava? / I Wonder Why Volacanoes Blow Their Top (Mi Primera Enciclopedia / My First Encyclopedia)
Rosie Greenwood
Manufacturer: Everest Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Children's | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

No ficción | Infantil y juvenil | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Science Encyclopedia)

Average customer rating:

Excellent reference covering specific earthquakes/volcanoes
A work in progress
I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!
Excellent introduction.

Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (Science Encyclopedia)
Alexander E. Gates , and David Ritchie
Manufacturer: Checkmark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Earthquakes & Volcanoes | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Seismology | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Science | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0816071209

Amazon.com

From aa to Yellowstone, if it's got anything at all to do with earthquakes or volcanoes, you're likely to find within the pages of this updated encyclopedia from science journalist David Ritchie and Rutgers geology professor Alexander Gates.

The 1,000-plus alphabetical listings range from historical volcanoes and quakes (both famous and obscure) to entries on specific seismic phenomena (everything from parasitic cones to jökulhlaup) and general geological principles, including a few excellent in-depth discussions on topics like plate tectonics and seismic wave types. The encyclopedia also contains a lengthy bibliography, a list of Internet resources, a chronological listing of notable quakes and eruptions, and a handful of unforgettable eyewitness accounts (after the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79, apparently Pliny the Elder's party went out "having pillows tied upon their heads with napkins; and this was their whole defense against the storm of stones that fell around them").

With its clear, newspaper-style entries, the Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes will be navigable even to geo-newbies, but its a-to-z organization makes it more useful as a reference than as a stand-alone text. (Then again, given its liberal cross-referencing, you can easily find yourself led to a long, enjoyable read.) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

The Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes explains the specific terms and concepts associated with the sciences of catastrophe-seismology and volcanology-and covers the places in the world where these destructive phenomena have occurred. Entries include terms and concepts such as: caldera, stratovolcano, S-waves, liquefaction, harmonic tremors, and much more.

The revised edition contains:
Updated geographic locations and damage estimates for certain areas
Enhanced content on the geologic processes, with clear and up-to-date diagrams to articulate these processes
New definitions of geologic terms
An updated chronology of important earthquakes and eruptions.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent reference covering specific earthquakes/volcanoes.......2005-08-23

It's exactly what the title says. Very dry, just the facts, but very extensive and detailed. If you're looking for a great reference book or if you like to read concise factual summaries....then you'll love this book.

A work in progress.......2002-03-11

This encyclopedia begins with an entry for `aa' (a particular type of lava flow) and ends with a page-worth of data on Yellowstone National Park. In between, all geophysical phenomena associated with earthquakes and volcanoes are covered alphabetically, including anecdotes on many individual eruptions or shakings, e.g. the Kobe earthquake in Japan.

I enjoyed reading the "Encyclopedia of Earthquakes and Volcanoes" but thought it must be a work in progress (I have the new edition) as there were many typos and errors that even a layperson like myself could spot:

* "Io is the hottest place in the solar system outside the sun (p. 105)"---actually I believe that honor belongs to Venus. Io's average surface temperature is 130 K whereas the surface of Venus averages 740 K (hotter even than Mercury).

* The destruction of Saint Pierre by Mount Pelée: "only six individuals from the city survived (p. 172)"---Actually there were three survivors, but two died soon after being rescued. "The third, a convicted murderer liberated from an underground jail cell three days after the disaster, recovered from his burns and emigrated to the United States to live out his years as an attraction in the Barnum & Bailey Circus." (from "Perils of a Restless Planet" by Ernest Zebrowski, Jr.).

* "One of the most powerful ([Richter] M = 9.1) and destructive earthquakes of the 20th century, the Good Friday earthquake struck the south coast of Alaska along Prince William Sound on March 27, 1964 (p. 84)." On the following page, the caption under a picture states, "The [Good Friday] earthquake had a Richter magnitude of 8.5..." I checked a couple of other books which give the Richter magnitude as 8.3 and 8.6, so I am guessing that Richter M = 9.1 is probably incorrect.

Another interesting oddity concerning earthquakes, is that the authors tend to favor the Mercalli Scale, which is based on ordinary human observations, rather than the Richter Scale which defines an earthquake's magnitude in terms of the seismographically recorded ground motion.

Not all of the black-and-white photographs are dated, and the cover photograph of a volcanic eruption is not identified (although a friend of mine from Oregon swears it is Mt. St. Helens). Ideally, a newer edition of this book will label all of the photographs, and perhaps include a few in color.

All quibbling aside, this is an interesting book that fills a useful niche. It will definitely remain in my reference library, although I may be cross-checking some of its entries.

"Appendix B" which includes "Eyewitness Accounts of Major Eruptions and Quakes" is absolutely fascinating, and it alone is worth the price of the book.

I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!.......1999-05-05

Hi, I really like this book. It's bben helpfully to me for my carrer. Thanks, Michelle Trzecisnki

Excellent introduction........1998-02-17

In a unique and very handy A-Z format, here in one volume is all the information you are ever likely to need on these most dramatic natural phenomena.
The great earthquakes and famous volcanic eruptions are comprehensively covered, with clear explanations of the geologic concepts and terms, interesting photos and maps, and thumbnail biographies of leading figures in the study of these majestic forces of nature. A particularly interesting feature is the inclusion of each state with an evaluation of its seismic potential. (There are some surprises here). Highly recommended as a very useful single-volume introduction for libraries and interested individuals.

Product Description

color illustrated

The Golden Book Encyclopedia : Book 15 - Thailand to Volcanoes

Average customer rating:

The Golden Book Encyclopedia : Book 15 - Thailand to Volcanoes
Bertha Morris Parker
Manufacturer: Golden Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GRTCH4

Average customer rating:

The Golden Book Encyclopedia Book 15 - Thailand to Volcanoes
Golden Book
Manufacturer: Golden Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HLU95S

The Golden Book Encyclopedia: Volume XV thialand To Volcanoes

Average customer rating:

The Golden Book Encyclopedia: Volume XV thialand To Volcanoes
Bertha Morris Parker
Manufacturer: Golden Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I0V4T8

The Golden Encyclopedia (Volume 15, Thailand to Volcanoes)

Average customer rating:

The Golden Encyclopedia (Volume 15, Thailand to Volcanoes)
Bertha Morris Parker
Manufacturer: Golden Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L3J7RI

Vol 15 Thailand To Volcanoes The Golden Book Encyclopedia

Average customer rating:

Vol 15 Thailand To Volcanoes The Golden Book Encyclopedia
Parker
Manufacturer: Golden Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JDXCRG

Book Description

This book combines the output of almost 15 years of research by biological and physical scientists in a unique World Heritage area in the isolated north of Australia. As such it represents a total update of past books on the region and concentrates on the scientific evidence accumulated by researchers covering most aspects of the vegetation and landscape features in a region that not only includes Kakadu National Park but also valuable mineral resources. The book covers the natural features and plant diversity of the region along with controversial subjects such as fire, feral animals and weeds. As such, it is required reading for scientists and conservationists interested in these issues across the monsoonal landscapes of Northern Australia and elsewhere.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books