Gyalo Thondup was born in 1928 and is the second-eldest brother of the 14th Dalai Lama. During his political career, he has worked as a chief strategist, establishing close links with the CIA and often acting as the Dalai Lama's unofficial envoy.Co-author Anne F. Thurston is a China specialist and senior research professor at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She has written widely about China and was the ghostwriter of the worldwide bestselling book, The Private Life of Chairman Mao. Her other books include Enemies of the People and A Chinese Odyssey.

Gyalo Thondup was born in 1928 and is the second-eldest brother of the 14th Dalai Lama. During his political career, he has worked as a chief strategist, establishing close links with the CIA and often acting as the Dalai Lama's unofficial envoy.Co-author Anne F. Thurston is a China specialist and senior research professor at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She has written widely about China and was the ghostwriter of the worldwide bestselling book, The Private Life of Chairman Mao. Her other books include Enemies of the People and A Chinese Odyssey.

Gyalo Thondup was born in 1928 and is the second-eldest brother of the 14th Dalai Lama. During his political career, he has worked as a chief strategist, establishing close links with the CIA and often acting as the Dalai Lama's unofficial envoy.Co-author Anne F. Thurston is a China specialist and senior research professor at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She has written widely about China and was the ghostwriter of the worldwide bestselling book, The Private Life of Chairman Mao. Her other books include Enemies of the People and A Chinese Odyssey.