The Dalai Lama: An Extraordinary Life

by Alexander Norman

Overview

The first definitive biography of the Dalai Lama—a story by turns inspiring, surprising—from an acclaimed Tibetan scholar with exceptional access to his subject

The Dalai Lama’s message of peace and compassion resonates with people of all faiths and none. Yet, for all his worldwide fame, he remains personally elusive. Now, Alexander Norman, acclaimed Oxford-trained scholar of the history of Tibet, delivers the definitive biography—unique, multilayered, and at times even shocking.
 
The Dalai Lama illuminates an astonishing odyssey from isolated Tibetan village to worldwide standing as spiritual and political leader of one of the world’s most profound and complex cultural traditions. Norman reveals that, while the Dalai Lama has never been comfortable with his political position, he has been a canny player—at one time CIA-backed—who has maneuvered amidst pervasive violence, including placing himself at the center of a dangerous Buddhist schism. Yet even more surprising than the political, Norman convinces, is the Dalai Lama’s astonishing spiritual practice, rooted in magic, vision, and prophecy—details of which are illuminated in this book for the first time.

A revelatory life story of one of today’s most radical, charismatic, and beloved world leaders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358410904
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/23/2021
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	1,081,979
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 5.20(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Alexander Norman first met the Dalai Lama thirty years ago. Since then he has collaborated wth the Tibetan Leader on several bestselling books, including the autobiography Freedom in Exile. He is the author of a critically acclaimed history of the Dalai Lamas, Holder of the White Lotus. In addition, he has served as a speech writer for HH the Dalai Lama and on the Tibetan leader’s Special Review Committee. He is President of the London-based charity, Help Tibet.

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

Norman, who collaborated with the Dalai Lama on Freedom in Exile, debuts with this significant exploration of the life work of Tibetan Buddhism’s spiritual leader. Norman situates the Dalai Lama, first and foremost, as a powerful leader within the context of Tibetan history and culture. To this end, he begins with the prophecies of the Dalai Lama’s predecessor, and embeds the Lama’s life within his larger role as a spiritual guru. Norman runs through the major events of the Dalai Lama’s life: his birth in 1935 as Lhamo Thondup, recognition as the Dalai Lama four years later, his upbringing in the palaces of Lhasa, the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and his subsequent life in exile—always portraying his subject sympathetically, but also never shying away from controversies, such as accusations that the Dalai Lama infringed upon religious liberty by restricting worship of the protector deity Dorje Shugden. Because of the strong emphasis on religious context, Norman often shirks providing scrutiny of the contemporary political situation in Tibet, but this remains a thorough catalogue of the Dalai Lama’s thinking and worldview. Despite Norman’s disclaimer that he writes as a non-Buddhist outsider looking in, anyone interested in the Dalai Lama’s spiritual influence will enjoy this insider biography. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Editor's Choice, The New York Times Bestsellers List for 3.29 “Impressive in its clarity...this biography [is] the most detailed and accurate to date…the book, written in an engaging prose, ends with an insightful prediction of the legacy of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, and a cleareyed assessment of the challenges that the fifteenth will face.” —New York Times Book Review “The subtitle of Mr. Norman's book, 'An Extraordinary Life,' is an understatement...Mr. Norman knows the Dalai Lama better than most, having helped him to write his autobiography. His new book is rich...with detail; his supple prose, often beautiful, is as adept at explaining Tibet’s theology as it is at describing its spiritual world...Mr. Norman’s book, while respectful, is not adoring: He doesn’t flinch from offering examples of his subject’s behavior that are awkward.” —Wall Street Journal “[Norman’s] writing is understated, occasionally wry, and respectful…[while the] passages explaining meditation, debate, and monastic life in the Tibetan tradition are exquisite.” —American Interest “This is the first authoritative biography of the Dalai Lama, and his life story reads like an adventure! Travel with him ... An amazing read!” —Buzzfeed “Alexander Norman's book is a revelation, placing the Dalai Lama in a vividly-told historical context while giving the reader an intimate glimpse of the man himself.” —Jim Kelly, Air Mail “Brilliant: the writing is a compelling blend of formal and informal styles covering events terrifying and wonderful (and many bits in between). Deserves a wide readership”—Charles Taliaferro, Oscar and Gertrude Boe Distinguished Chair and Professor of Philosophy, St. Olaf College. Editor-in-Chief of Open Theology “Alexander Norman is uniquely qualified among western observers to deliver a definitive account of one of the most remarkable lives of the past century. His thoughtful and insightful biography is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon.” —Dr. Solomon George FitzHerbert, Departmental Lecturer in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, University of Oxford “A compelling portrait . . . definitive book, which is sure to attract anyone seeking more insight into this enduring leader.” —Library Journal “A thorough catalogue of the Dalai Lama’s thinking and worldview . . . anyone interested in the Dalai Lama’s spiritual influence will enjoy this insider biography.” —Publishers Weekly “[Norman] brings well-grounded authority to his portrayal of a figure revered throughout the world for his joyfulness, generosity, and compassion . . . a sturdy, comprehensive look at the Dalai Lama and his tumultuous world.” —Kirkus Reviews —

From the Publisher

01/01/2020

Using secondary sources, as well as information culled from interviews with key figures such as the Dalai Lama himself, this work by Norman (Freedom in Exile) presents a compelling portrait of the religious leader whose life has been a continuous struggle to maintain spiritual goals while dealing with temporal matters. After being recognized as the reincarnated Lama at a young age, the Dalai Lama was taken from his family and educated by a cadre of devoted tutors. After China annexed his homeland of Tibet, he fled to India in 1959 and has yet to return. Since then, he has been the leader of Tibet in exile. As well, he has been the greatest advocate for Buddhism throughout the world and has seen its popularity spread owing, in no small part, to his charisma. VERDICT The Dalai Lama himself insists that much of his life is dedicated to spiritual concerns. What remains, he has committed to causes such as freeing his homeland. This balance between spiritual and worldly goals is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of his life and this definitive book, which is sure to attract anyone seeking more insight into this enduring leader.—Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM

Library Journal

2019-11-05
A biography of the famed spiritual leader who has lived through complex and contentious times.

British journalist Norman (Secret Lives of the Dalai Lama: The Untold Story of the Holy Men Who Shaped Tibet, From Pre-History to the Present Day, 2010, etc.), who has collaborated with the Dalai Lama on three books, including his autobiography, brings well-grounded authority to his portrayal of a figure revered throughout the world for his joyfulness, generosity, and compassion. Born in 1935, Tenzin Gyatso was identified as the 14th Dalai Lama when he was 2 years old, on the basis of several miraculous occurrences and the child's demonstration of occult power. Although the author acknowledges that "the skeptical reader will doubtless see this whole account as a classic example of myth-making," he underscores the Buddhist perspective that "the way things really are" does not depend on empirical verification. Norman vividly depicts the "enchanted" world from which the Dalai Lama emerged, where "every feature of the landscape and every creature dwelling within it falls under the aegis of some sprite or spirit or deity." Rich in spirituality, Tibet nevertheless was a poor, isolated country. As the Dalai Lama grew up, though focused intensively on his spiritual education, he came to realize that social, political, and material reforms were urgently needed. At 14, he met a foreigner for the first time: a 33-year-old Austrian mountaineer who became his informal tutor, responding to the "boundlessly curious" young man's many questions about the Western world. Norman lucidly traces the Dalai Lama's spiritual and academic education, his growing awareness of the internal and external political conflicts that threatened Tibet, and his reluctant decision to go into exile when China invaded the country. At 24, when he led 80,000 Buddhists into India, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru found him "exasperatingly naïve." The Precious Protector, as he was known, gradually evolved into an astute, occasionally controversial, leader, resolute in his harsh dealings with dissent among rival schools within the Buddhist tradition and eventually renouncing his efforts for Tibet's independence.

A sturdy, comprehensive look at the Dalai Lama and his tumultuous world.

Kirkus Reviews