Tibet in Exile

This collection of large, vibrant photographs of Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India, effectively promotes awareness of their plight. In the introduction, the Dalai Lama asserts Tibet's rightful independence, suggesting that the country be transformed to a ``peace sanctuary'' for people of all nations. British journalist Perkins offers a dry, condensed history of Tibet that becomes absorbing in its discussion of the hardships suffered by the 100,000 Tibetans who followed the Dalai Lama and fled in 1959 after the Chinese took over their country, and of their adaptation to a new life in India. Indian photojournalist Rai's vivid pictures include panoramic views of pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan foothills and dynamic scenes of daily life in Dharamsala; Buddhist ceremonies and brightly hued robes attest to the importance of spirituality and tradition while emotionally-charged political demonstrations against China reflect unabated frustration and the Tibetans' fervor for their homeland's liberation. (Apr.)