Beyond Shangri-La

"Beyond Shangri-La is a valuable and highly informative contribution to understanding both Tibet and the history of American foreign policy in Asia. Benefiting from the author's personal experience with America's Tibet policy, first as a CIA officer and later as an institutional historian, the book gives often dramatic insights into the surprisingly crucial role of individual officials in government shifts of policy and direction. It comes at a time when America's relations with China are at a point of unprecedented importance for world affairs and when understanding the deep history of the difficult issues within that relationship—Tibet chief among them—is important to successfully navigating them." - Robert Barnett, author of Lhasa: Streets with Memories

"I am honored to herald Ken Knaus's masterful account of America's role in Tibet's agonizing and inspiring progress into a future that is still uncertain. . . . A hearty welcome to this magnum opus, and may its skillful narrative and honest factual presentation create a forceful if implicit wake-up call that comes to fruition as soon as possible." - Robert A. F. Tenzin Thurman, from the foreword

“[T]his is a well-documented study of the complex America-China-Tibet triangle.” - Publishers Weekly

“Here, for the first time, is the full story of Washington’s official relationship with Tibet, from the first encounter between a U.S. diplomat and the then Dalai Lama in 1908 to the recent patter of congressional and White House pressure on Beijing to engage in dialogue.”  - Foreign Affairs

"John Kenneth Knaus provides a diplomat’s history of Tibet.... [T]his book is an invaluable reading of U.S.-Tibetan relations from the point of view of someone who was himself a participant in this history."  - Carole McGranahan, American Historical Review

“. . . this is the most complete history of US–Tibet relations currently available and will lend itself well to classroom adoption.” - A. Tom Grunfeld, The China Quarterly

“This detailed and meticulous examination of the complex relationship that the USA had with Tibet over the course of more than a century is written by an insider.”—, Asian Affairs - Wendy Palace, Asian Affairs

“Knaus…has produced an elegant and stimulating book, which is a must read for anyone interested in Tibet. Essential.” - Z. Zhu, Choice

“Knaus’ fascinating insights into the intricacies of diplomacy and the mix of personalities and interests, both individual and national, which inform political policy and decision-making serve to demystify global politics and international relations. This book therefore will be of value to students of these fields, as well as to ibet watchers and scholars.” - Amy Mountcastle, The China Journal

"This book not only traces the history of American interest in Tibet but it is also a book that seeks to place Tibet as possessing a special significance to America and the American public." - Tsering Shakaya, Pacific Affairs

“Given the dearth of works on the relationship between the United States and Tibet, a monograph with the scope of John Kenneth Knaus’ Beyond Shangri-La — which begins at first contact and runs through to the present ? is a welcome addition.” - Jie Gao, Canadian Journal of History

“Beyond Shangri-La by John Kenneth Knaus is a highly worthwhile read and an absorbing history of United States foreign policy toward Tibet.” - Rebecca Aguilar, Book Kvetch