On February 22, 1940, Lhamo Thondup became the fourteenth Dalai Lama when he was just four years old. He took up a position of peaceful Buddhist leadership in the midst of centuries-old conflict-and it wouldn't be long before he faced his first test. Threatened by the invading Chinese, the young Tibetan leader began his life in exile at twenty-four. The Dalai Lama has devoted his life to the Tibetan cause ever since, spreading awareness of the home he may never return to. He has set up a new democratic government for Tibet, pleaded Tibet's cause to the United Nations, and won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Despite the hardship he's faced and Tibet's continued strife with China, he charms world leaders and ordinary people alike with his wisdom, humility, and tranquil spirit. Emphasizing a simple life and compassion for others, the Dalai Lama remains committed to finding ways forward through difficult political situations. Discover how a boy born on a farm went from a life in exile to a global icon of peace.

Book jacket.