In January 2000, the world was introduced to the 17th Karmapa lama, a young man who had just made a dramatic escape from Tibet, where Chinese officials had installed him as a ranking Tibetan political leader. This fascinating story begins 900 years ago and reveals political intrigue and controversy among powerful spiritual leaders. Karmapa: The Politics of Reincarnation reveals how the Karmapa, one of the most important reincarnate lamas in Tibet, is chosen. Through interviews with personal associates, friends, the Dalai Lama, and the Karmapa himself, award-winning journalist Lea Terhune paints a portrait of an extraordinary young man who defied the Chinese and escaped to freedom. It is the ancient story of the Karmapas often disputed incarnations throughout the history of Tibetan Buddhism, and of a young man who will likely play a key role in the future of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.