The singular role of Shabkar in the development of the idea of Tibet Shabkar (1781–1851), the “Singer of the Land of Snows,” was a renowned yogi and poet who, through his autobiography and songs, developed a vision of Tibet as a Buddhist “imagined community.” By incorporating vernacular literature, providing a narrative mapping of the Tibetan plateau, reviving and adapting the legend of Tibetans as Avalokiteśvara’s chosen people, and promoting shared Buddhist values and practices, Shabkar’s concept of Tibet opened up the discursive space for the articulation of modern forms of Tibetan nationalism.  Employing analytical lenses of cultural nationalism and literary studies, Rachel Pang explores the indigenous epistemologies of identity, community, and territory that predate contemporary state-centric definitions of nation and nationalism in Tibet and provides the definitive treatment of this foundational figure. Singer of the Land of Snow stands out as an important work of conceptual history. Pang moves beyond the conventional Westphalian conception of nation and nationalism by emphasizing myths, symbols, and historical memories that uni­fied Tibetans into a cohesive nationhood a century before its annexation by the People’s Republic of China. Pang’s monograph fills a signif­i­cant gap in historical research and scholarship on the relatively understudied nineteenth-century Tibet. It is highly recommended for both general readers and specialists alike, including in seminars on modern Tibetan history, the intersection of religion and politics, and cultural nationalism.― Journal of Asian Studies Poised to make a major and lasting contribution to the study of Tibetan literature, history, and politics. It presents our clearest picture to date of an important Buddhist leader who traveled the length and breadth of the Himalayan plateau on the cusp of Tibet’s encounter with modernity.― Andrew Quintman, Wesleyan University Rachel H. Pang is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Davidson College.