"This ambitious monograph constitutes a significant contribution to the study of Tibetan religion and culture . The Holy Madmen of Tibet is an insightful work that challenges the reader to reconsider not only how the mad saints themselves should be conceived but also how the category of the holy should be approached in responsible scholarship." -- Jay Valentine, H-Net "DiValerio's analysis of the social and narrative processes that create mad sainthood provides a nuanced account of this fascinating tradition, making a significant contribution to the study of Tibetan religion."--Patrick J. Dowd, Religious Studies Review "The Holy Madmen of Tibet is a welcome contribution to the study of Tibetan religions and Tantric Buddhism.And although DiValerio has only hinted at some of the possible connections of his work with the broad issue of antinomian religion, I recommend The Holy Madmen of Tibet without hesitation to those who may wish to ponder this question from a comparative angle as well."--Matthew T. Kapstein, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies "The Holy Madmen of Tibet is among the pioneering studies about the tantric practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

As a weighty contribution to the growing literature of Buddhism, this book challenges our perceptions of the tantric communities and Tibetan Buddhism in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It is invaluable reading for scholars and students of Tibetan Buddhism history."--Kai Chen, Journal of Religious History "Nyönpas, or religious madmen, stand among the most colorful and influential figures in the transmission of Buddhism across the Himalaya. Blending translation, historical analysis, and contemporary ethnography, DiValerio offers our broadest and most textured account to date of this fascinating tradition. The Holy Madmen of Tibet is a major contribution to the study of Tibetan religion and culture." --Andrew Quintman, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Yale University "fascinating book" --Alexander Studholme, The Mirror.