The Great Dragon's Fleas

by Tim Ward

The author chronicles his two year odyssey throughout the exotic lands of Tibet, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand and China

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Buddhism

252 pages, Unknown Binding

Published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[John Fredrickson]

This is an interesting travelogue, which ultimately focuses more on cultural issues than on Buddhism or religion, though the initiating purpose of the author's trip appears to have been to explore Buddhism through other cultures. Ward relates his travels through numerous countries, with a careful and sympathetic relation of his interactions with local peoples, of numerous religious backgrounds, including Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and probably others that I am not recalling. Most of the people he encounters are economically very challenged, at least according to our standards. He relates his journey with a compelling honesty about himself, as well as with a good sense of humor.

While his interactions with foreign people show them to be generally very compassionate and accommodating, the picture he paints of the political regimes he encounters are at best difficult - damning is probably a better word. This is especially true of China, whose policies towards its own citizens, let alone its usurpation of Tibet, mark it for special censure.

[Bryan Kehler]

Perhaps a tad too ethnocentric and Manichean to make for a good Buddhist/mystical travel memoir, it suffices as a serviceable off-the-beaten-path travelogue nonetheless.

[Don]

Another fine read, thank you very much Tim