It is impossible to overestimate the impact Gene Smith has had on Tibetan Studies. Smith is universally respected by Tibetologists, Western Buddhists, and Tibetan Lamas. The essays compiled in this book have something for everyone. Their scope covers all four of the major Tibetan lineages, their depth and specificity will interest specialists, their brevity and clarity will interest amateurs. Unfortunately so many publications these days lose their value shortly after publication. Despite their age (up to forty years old), Smith's essays still read like cutting edge research because he proposes so many roads of enquiry yet untrodden.