Tagyal, who uses the pen name Shokdung, is the author of several books and until his arrest in 2010 was employed by a Chinese publishing house. Matthew Akester is a translator of classical and modern literary Tibetan, based in the Himalayan region. His translations include The Life of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, by Jamgon Kongtrul and Memories of Life in Lhasa Under Chinese Rule by Tubten Khetsun. He has worked as consultant for the Tibet Information Network, Human Rights Watch, Tibet Heritage Fund, and Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center, among others.
'A remarkable book by one of Tibet's most important contemporary authors.'-- Richard Gere; 'Taygal's book, published illegally in Tibet in 2010, is a poetic, painstakingly written indictment of Chinese rule and a call for a peaceful revolution against what he describes as Beijing's heavy-handed governing style.'--New York Times