Freeing Tibet: 50 Years of Struggle, Resilience, and Hope

Freeing Tibet is the incredible, heroic story of Tibet's arduous struggle to keep freedom alive. Timely, impeccably researched and including a 16-page black&white photo insert, it will change the way we understand Tibet.In March of 1959, a 23-year-old Tibetan youth named Tenzin Gyatso burst onto the world stage. Fleeing his native country to govern in exile from India, the Dalai Lama would go on to become one of the great leaders of our time. Then, in March 2008, the diplomat, icon and winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize was blamed for inciting violence in Tibet's traditional capital of Lhasa. As 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's rule in exile, the situation in Tibet has become more volatile than ever. Now, China must decide if it will give Tibet the right to govern itself and what the consequences will be for its economy and its place on the world stage.From the national uprising in 1959, which cost more than 85,000 Tibetans their lives, to the rise of the Tibetan freedom fighters; the after-effects of Nixon's historic visit to China, and preparations for the Dalai Lama's successor, this seminal history offers an insider's view of the 50-year struggle for autonomy. As a former Reagan White House political strategist, author John B. Roberts has had unprecedented access to the Dalai Lama's inner circle. Based on interviews with CIA and political insiders, this epic story gives readers a new understanding of a conflict that continues to fascinate the world.

In March of 1959, a 23-year-old Tibetan youth named Tenzin Gyatso burst onto the world stage. Fleeing his native country to govern in exile from India, the Dalai Lama would go on to become one of the great leaders of our time. Then, in March 2008, the dip

John B. Roberts II (Colorado Springs, CO) is a consulting producer for The McLaughlin Group and has been featured on NBC’s Dateline and in The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today.

Part One. Struggle — Warriors of the fortress of faith — The tennis champion of Darjeeling — The dharma beatniks and the island of the dead — All tsampa eaters must stand together — The Dalai Lama's great escape — Eisenhower expands the covert war — Hearts and minds — America's secret Bay of Pigs — Part Two. Resilience — Wheels within wheels — Cultural revolutions — Nixon embraces China — Counterculture to the rescue — Part Three. Hope — The Dalai Lama finds a middle way — The 1990s: the Tibetan movement goes global — The Tibetan national uprising of 2008 — The last Dalai Lama? — What is to be done to free Tibet?