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Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea (Modern Library Chronicles) |  | Author: Mark Kurlansky
Creator: Dalai Lama
Publisher: Modern Library
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
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Rating:  6 reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 0812974476
Dewey Decimal Number: 303.61
EAN: 9780812974478
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Product Description
In 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 example; that the stated deterrence value of standing national armies and huge weapons arsenals is, at best, negligible; 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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
Provocative lesson August 1, 2008
P. A. Thebert
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I picked up this book because I have always been uncomfortable with violence and war in general. I felt that WWII was a just war, for example, but current events less so.
Kurlansky does a great job of detailing the futile history of war, and the potent history of nonviolence. He provides persuasive arguments for how and why nonviolence works. This is much more than Gandhi and MLK fighting for independence or equal rights... nonviolence works in nearly every situation, and Kurlansky states that it is inevitable that we as humans realize someday how poorly violence has worked, and try other options.
One provocative notion in the book is that once a state officially supports a religion, that religion is corrupted. He cites Constantine's embrace of Christianity with making that formerly nonviolent faith into one that supports war to maintain peace. He also cites Islam as a faith that is about peace, but has been changed due to its status as the official state religion in some nations.
An excellent conversation starter!
EDIT: I met the author at a book signing on the National Mall. He said he was glad to hear I assigned this book to my students, "It's the book I would most like students to read."
history of nonviolence January 10, 2010
Esfandiar Aghaei (Toronto, Canada)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Kurlansky presents us history of nonviolence along with its ideology in a well presented chronological fashion. The background work is detailed and specific with many thinkers and leader's name for those who wish to find out more. I picked up about 30 or so, and am looking forward to further my education in this wonderful way of life.
Like all history books some omissions can shift the thinking of the reader to a desired place but what better place than nonviolence.
My favourite quote from this book is when Kurlansky concludes: "Ever war produces fresh crop of peace activists with the desire to change the world and a fresh determination to do it without violence. And for them every new war is a setback. But the advocates of peace and nonviolence come back stronger and more numerous each time. Given this formula, with enough wars the world may yet find peace."
A book that can change your life June 8, 2010
A. Boynton (Ipswich, Ma USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First - do not confuse his history of non-violence as a history of pacifism, as non-violence is peaceful resistance, not a lack of resistance.
I resisted buying this book for a while; even though I have read most of his other books, and have recommend Cod, The Big Oyster, and The Last Fish Tale to others. The case for active non-violence is strongly made in this book. There are numerous historic accounts of successful non-violent resistance that most of us have little familiarity, as our world tends to cater toward violence as a way of life and an instrument of the state. It points to the ethical issues, but also discusses how non-violent movements must be 100% non-violent to be effective - but that to achieve this and remain effective is very hard, as it does work against human nature.
I do believe this is a book that should be read by everyone in the world. What may not be emphasized enough is that active non-violence is probably necessary to maintain a true democracy - as the government is an instrument of power that will grow unchecked unless citizens actively question the government's motives - especially when that government tells us we are "un-American" to do so. If we asked the founding fathers, I bet they would say it us "un-American" to NOT challenge the motives authority and power. We should incorporate it in everyday life.
A History of Opportunities Missed July 18, 2010
Deborah E. Slagboom (Fort Meade, Maryland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
To those who have stumbled upon the "new" and "revolutionary" ideas of pacifism, this comprehensive history of nonviolence traces legacy as far back as Christ. Perhaps the poignancy of the read is in the thought that humanity has passed, time and again, the chance to extend compassion and good in the name of justice. Kurlansky notes how tragic and catastrophic events could have been averted or lessened had whole societies and nations actively taken a stance against evil. Even for those readers who believe in jus ad bellum, Kurlansky's delicate weaving of historical events and the hindsight that surrounds them makes a convincing argument- that one cannot bend to the pressures, the evil -no matter how seemingly insurmountable or seductive- and that simple acts of kindness, bravery and faith done by individuals can protect and defend innocence more than grand, scale battles and organized killing. This book makes a convincing argument for humanity as it reviews the senselessness of killing on a national and global level and even if one comes away unconvinced that war is wrong, one comes away convicted that to do nothing is worse.
Nonviolence: The history of a dangerous idea July 5, 2009
Sharon M. Camfield (San Angelo, TX USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book should be required reading in the White House, the Pentagon and Congress...and wherever decisions are made....in communities, families, churches...
It is truly a mind opening book about the possibility and use of nonviolent means to achieve peace and harmony in our lives.
This book should be required reading in the White House, Congress, the Pentagon and all places where decisions are made.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
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