"The collapse of socialism at the end of the twentieth century brought devastating changes to Mongolia. Economic shock therapy--an immediate liberalization of trade and privatization of publicly owned assets--quickly led to impoverishment, especially in rural parts of the country, where Tragic Spirits takes place. Following the travels of the nomadic Buryats, Manduhai Buyandelger tells a story not only of economic devastation but also a remarkable Buryat response to it--the revival of shamanic practices after decades of socialist suppression." -- Publisher website.