BOOKSHELF

NONVIOLENCE
Twenty-Five Lessons
From the History
of a Dangerous Idea

Mark Kurlansky

BOOKLIST - Kurlansky's particular point is the last of the lessons
referred to in the subtitle: "the hard work of beginning a movement to
end war has already been done." All the lessons he notes are important,
but he is at his best when retelling popular stories of nonviolence
practiced at various times and places over the course of several
thousand years, though from a scholarly perspective his language is
woefully imprecise. If he introduces readers to the deep, multicultural
roots of nonviolence and prompts examination of the variety of
governments that have found nonviolence threatening, the level of public
discourse on violence may rise. If his blanket dismissal of pacifism as
passive provokes nonviolent activists to respond, perhaps what may be
learned about the lies behind all wars will lead to wiser decisions by
more citizens. And if the casual reference to "the 58,000 people who
were killed" in the Vietnam War prompts second thoughts about who should
count among those caught up in the march of violence, all the better. -
Steven Schroeder

WAYNE MONES, AMAZON - This is an important and subversive book in which
the author crafts a compelling argument that most of history's wars have
been unnecessary and pointless and that legitimate aims could have been
more effectively achieved by nonviolent methods. He applies his
arguments to a number of wars which most regard as "just," such as the
American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II. The author
demonstrates that nonviolence is extremely powerful, that war is always
based on lies, and that it is possible to create a world that is not
based on violence. It will offend those who cannot allow themselves to
think of past wars as pointless. It will infuriate politicians, policy
makers, and many religious leaders who need to glorify war and violence.
I found it deeply moving and thoughtful. It should be assigned in every
school.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0679643357/progressiverevieA/

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