The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong: The Untold Story of My Struggle for Tibet

I think it's important to understand that what's presented in this book is one man's perceptions of history, which should be taken with a large grain of salt. Fortunately, the co-author, Anne Thurston, makes this clear in her afterword, and offers corrections to some of the inaccuracies.In order to get a more well-rounded understanding of some of the seminal events and controversies in the story, readers should seek out other sources dealing with the the regency period during the 14th Dalai Lama's childhood and the events leading up to his flight from Tibet. Gyalo Thondup is the only source I'm aware of who was steadfastly pro-Chinese, even after the Chinese had invaded Eastern Tibet (!), and who, likewise, viewed the Reting Regent favorably. He conveniently omits the fact that his brother, the Dalai Lama, publicly denounced the Regent as highly corrupt, not only as a political figure, but as a monk. However, I would say that the book is instructive in understanding the mindset of the people around the Dalai Lama who favored cooperation with the Chinese (these include the DL's father).Some of the information in the book strains credulity. For example, we're told that the Chinese supported the landowning elite, and appointed members of it to important government posts. Why would a revolutionary army and a Marxist government do such a thing? The author makes no attempt to explain. More discussion and analysis of apparent contradictions like this are needed in order to make sense of such claims, especially in view of testimony from the few Westerners, like Anna Strong, allowed into Tibet after the Chinese invasion, who observed that it was the slaves and peasants who were elevated to government posts. While it's true that some of the estate owners favored reform, the majority did not.Thondup's criticisms of the CIA's role in Tibet, though well-deserved, also ring a bit hollow, considering his glaring omission of the fact that he, the Dalai Lama (and in turn, his exiled government) and other family members were comfortably supported on the CIA's payroll for a number of years. Books by the DL's family members pack a punch as much for what they neglect to say, as for what they do say.Insights regarding how the theocracy's inherent conservatism held back not only Tibet's material progress but its political survival in time of crisis, and how diplomatic errors and government myopia deprived Tibet of opportunities to defend itself or achieve a measure of self-governance post-invasion, are the real contributions this book makes to the historical record and debate. Approached as a complimentary volume to other testimony and analysis of Tibet's transition from independent nation to Chinese colony, this book contributes to an understanding of a complex and sometimes murky historical period.

This book is important for anyone interested in the modern history of Tibet. Gyalo Thondup describes events as he thinks they took place. This is not different from any memoirs by any US President. Indeed his memoirs look more honest than most I’ve read before. What should be noted is how the events up to 1967 take up about two thirds of this book up to page 227 and anything from then until 2014 is on just 70 pages.Many stories are told for the first time like how the Soviet Union made contact with him and told him about the upcoming improvement in the relationship between China and the US. This happened in 1967, four years before Nixon went to Beijing. We are left wondering how the KGB was able to make such a prediction.Anne Thurston did a remarkable job helping to write this book. She points out on some occasions where the story as told by Gyalo Thondup is different from what is written elsewhere. For some reason, and as she writes on page 315, only very few people read the manuscript before publication. This did result in a few mistakes which could and should have been avoided. For example on page 281 it’s claimed Ye Jianying was alive in 1989 while in reality he died in October 1986. On page 304 the Lhasa demonstrations of 1987 are claimed to have occurred in 1981and on page 289, Xi Zhongxun is claimed to be head of the “United Front” in 1990, which he never was.There are obviously relatives still around who profited from corruption in Tibet and India and when here and now the old “uncle” is criticized such “nephews” write bad reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Officials who have had four or six wives at the same time also have more relatives than those like Gyalo Thondup, who did stick with one only. This means the more he gets criticized the more facts he probably writes. It would also be remarkable if such reviewers could point out a single factual mistake in this book. But pointing out mistakes requires knowledge and not just emotional stress. Therefore don’t be fooled by people with a financial agenda who write negative reviews.

My feelings were mixed while reading this book. It presents memoirs of Gyalo Thondup, the current Dalai Lama's elder brother who has been intimately involved all his life in the struggles of the Tibetan people. It is written in English by journalist Anne Thurston.On the one hand, I was keen to read about the Tibetan struggle from the perspective of one who is very close to the Dalai Lama, and who has played an important role in the Tibetan struggle. This book provides an excellent opportunity for me to look more closely at the complex background to the international controversies surrounding Tibet. Thondup's memoirs cover family history going back a few generations. He talks about childhood with his siblings, and how recognition of his younger brother as the incarnate Dalai Lama would change their lives forever. He chronicles Tibet's relationship with the Nationalist, and later the Communist, government of China, going into the involvement of India, the American CIA, the Soviet Union, and others. The memoirs take us up to the current decade of the 21st century, now that Thondup operates a noodle factory in Kalimpong, India. It is eye-opening to read about what the Tibetan people have experienced over almost a century.On the other hand, as I read through the book, I could not help but feel that Thondup has a tendency to rush to hasty conclusions without detailed or careful analysis. This is a point that Thurston raises and elaborates in her Afterword at the end of the book. Thondup also describes his brief encounters with a few well-known historical figures, as a result of which he has formed strong negative views that do not appear to be entirely warranted. As such, I could not be sure that I was reading an account that is entirely accurate, or fair.In all, an interesting book for anyone who wishes to take a closer look at the Tibetan situation.

I loved the way the way book is written from beginning to the end. Very detailed very factual. Very heart tugging. The writer has done a brilliant job in sharing the incidents as they would have happened and not justifying them. It takes immense guts to call spade a spade in today's diplomatic corrupt world where unpleasing words can destroy years of hard work. Owning to one's mistakes requires tremendous courage. Gyalo Thondup might have been manipulative and pro-china but he must be congratulated for pouring his heart out. Also, the writer deserves accolades for sharing his POV on events which he didn't agree with.A must read for anyone interested in knowing about modern Tibet and its problems.

After reading the book I got the feeling that this book is less about the Dalai Lama and Tibet, but more about his brother washing hands and proving his innocence. In the process he takes us through a journey which involves mistakes from China, India & the USA while handling the Tibetan issue. Its an interesting read, but not a necessary one.

What a beautifully written book about Tibet. Given that it's written by the brother of His Holiness The Dalai Lama it has a lot of details about their personal family history. It's an incredibly interesting book and tells the story of the Chinese war on Tibet and how their culture is being destroyed. One really feels for the Tibet an people when one reads this book.

A bit controversial as well as contrasting storylines. But a book very much worth publishing and of course reading. Buy it if you want to know about the other part of the Tibetan freedom story/struggle.

Sans some blatant accusations, this book is a must read for every Tibetan youngsters as well as for those interested in the issue of Tibet. After reading you will not only be left with many questions answered but even more unanswered.Thank you amazon for making it convenient to get my hands on this. Cheers.