Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea (Modern Library Chronicles) - Softcover

Kurlansky, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812974476 ISBN 13: 9780812974478

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2008

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Product Description:

Nonviolence Following the grand sweep of history from Confucius to Tolstoy, Erasmus to Gandhi, this book traces pacifism and its proponents to show how many modern ideas, a united Europe, the United Nations, and the abolition of slavery - originated in non-violence movements. Full description

Review:

"This is a magnificent achievement" (Daily Telegraph)

"Erudite and eloquent" (Economist)

"Kurlansky writes history with his heart firmly on his sleeve, unashamedly hopeful that people are becoming more tired of war, quicker to condemn it" (Adam Forrest Sunday Herald)

"Short and punchy and has a good heart... fascinating, vibrant and thought-provoking" (Scotland on Sunday)

"This book is crammed with historical fact... thought provoking" (Financial Times)

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0812974476
• ISBN 13: 9780812974478
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224