Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons from the History of a Dangerous IdeaIn this timely, highly original, and controversial narrative, New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky discusses nonviolence as a distinct entity, a course of action, rather than a mere state of mind. Nonviolence can and should be a technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars, he asserts, which is why it is the preferred method of those who speak truth to power. Nonviolence is a sweeping yet concise history that moves from ancient Hindu times to present-day conflicts raging in the Middle East and elsewhere. Kurlansky also brings into focus just why nonviolence is a “dangerous” idea, and asks such provocative questions as: Is there such a thing as a “just war”? Could nonviolence have worked against even the most evil regimes in history? Kurlansky draws from history twenty-five provocative lessons on the subject that we can use to effect change today. He shows how, time and again, violence is used to suppress nonviolence and its practitioners–Gandhi and Martin Luther King, for examp≤ that the stated deterrence value of standing national armies and huge weapons arsenals is, at best, negligib≤ and, encouragingly, that much of the hard work necessary to begin a movement to end war is already complete. It simply needs to be embraced and accelerated. Engaging, scholarly, and brilliantly reasoned, Nonviolence is a work that compels readers to look at history in an entirely new way. This is not just a manifesto for our times but a trailblazing book whose time has come. |
Contents
IMPERFECT BEINGS | 3 |
THE PROBLEM WITH STATES | 17 |
THE KILLER PEACE MOVEMENT | 29 |
Copyright | |
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abolitionists Allies American antiwar argued armed army attacked battle Bayard Rustin became began believed bombing Boston British brutal called campaign Cathars cause century Chelčický Christ Christian Church civil civilians colonies concept conscientious objector Constantine Crusades death declared defense Dellinger Empire enemy Europe European fight force French Gandhi German György Konrád holy human Indians Islam Jesus Jewish Jews jihad killing later leaders lence lesson live Maori MARK KURLANSKY Martin ment military Mohammed moral Mozi Muslims nation Nazis negotiated never nonviolent resistance nuclear pacifism pacifist Parihaka Pathan peace activist peace movement political Press prison protest Quakers Quran rebel refused rejected religion Revolution revolutionaries Roman Rustin saint slaughter slavery slaves soldiers South Soviet Taborites Te Whiti teachings tion Union United Urban veterans Vietnam violence vote wanted warfare wars weapons Whiti William Lloyd Garrison World War II wrote York