"This book is a revelation. Christoph Baumer unravels complex mysteries and shares with the reader his deep knowledge and understanding of living and lost cultures. It is also a tale of high adventure. Neither the seeker of true knowledge nor the merely inquisitive will experience disappointment. Their only regret will be when the last step is taken on Baumer's quest and the final page is turned." -- John Hare "Should anyone finish reading the memoirs of Sir Aurel Stein, Paul Pelliot or Albert von le Coq and still feel in need of further adventures on the Silk Road, I would not hesitate to direct them towards the writings of Christoph Baumer. [He] manages to strike a perfect balance between clearly-written history, explanations of archaeological finds. and the everyday difficulties of travel in one of the least hospitable environments on earth.
Baumer's work makes for engaging reading, brilliantly combining a lightness of touch with a profound erudition and is an excellent introduction both to the history of the region, as well as the history of travel in the region." -- Bijan Omrani, Journal of Asian Affairs Praise for Christoph Baumer: Tibet's Ancient Religion : "A real treasure. Written with the head as well as the heart, its great visual power conveys more than any words can do. Anyone seriously interested in the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet will be greatly rewarded by reading this excellent book." -- Professor Ursula King, University of Bristol "Baumer describes in a thrilling way the history and myths of Bön and demonstrates how alive this religion still is today." -- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung The Church of the East : "Christoph Baumer's book ranges wide, intellectually and geographically." -- J. F.
Coakley, Harvard University "Fascinating and enthralling reading, not only for students of religion but also for the interested general reader." -- Erica Hunter, SOAS "Christoph Baumer's fine book should take its place as the best available general history of the Church of the East." -- Sebastian Brock, Oxford University "Baumer is a scholar to his fingertipsâ¦an inspired work of synthesis, containing much original research." -- Sir Harold Walker, President of The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies.