1. Ackerman, Peter and Jack Duvall. A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict. New York, NY: St. Martin?s Press, 2000.
Twentieth century stories of significant nonviolent popular movements used to overthrow dictators, obstruct military invaders, and secure human rights. The book shows by example how nonviolent measures can be more powerful than violence in bringing about social and political change. This is a companion book to the PBS documentary series of the same name. Hardback, 544 pages. (See also #1 under Video and Audio Tapes)
- Cady, Duane. From Warism to Pacifism: A Moral Continuum. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 1989.
This book describes a continuum of positions on the morality of war ranging from warism to pacifism. Cady notes that an uncritical presumption that war is morally justifiable is a significant part of modern Western culture. He proposes its replacement with a positive concept of peace that is distinct from the mere absence of war. Hardback, 159 pages.
3.Chernus, Ira. American Nonviolence: The History of an Idea. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004.
This is a review of the art and science of nonviolent action in the United States. The author details the work of individuals and movements and notes both religious and secular influences. Paperback, 234 pages.
- Crossan, John Dominic, and Richard G. Watts. Who Is Jesus?: Answers to Your Questions about the Historical Jesus. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.
A picture of the person and teachings of Jesus based on the actual historical record, leading to a fuller and more accurate understanding of what kind of man Jesus was, what kind of world he lived in, and the legacy of his teachings. The book?s format is responses to questions directed to Crossan as one of the prominent scholars and writers on the historical Jesus. Paperback, 144 pages.
- Driver, John. How Christians Made Peace with War. Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press, 1988.
Using writings of early Christians, this book describes how the Christian church moved from the nonviolence of Jesus and his early followers to the formulation and adoption of a just war theory. Paperback, 89 pages.
- Eisler, Riane. The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1987.
An influential study of human cultural origins that documents the global shift from egalitarian to patriarchal societies and how social cooperation gave way to reliance on violence, hierarchy, and authoritarianism. Eisler shows that war and a society based on hierarchical ranking is neither divinely nor biologically ordained. A better future is proposed which is in fact firmly rooted in what actually happened in the past. Paperback, 261 pages.
- Gandhi, Mohandas K. Mohandas Gandhi: Essential Writings. Edited by John Dear. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
A collection of Gandhi?s writings on the search for God, the pursuit of truth, the practice of nonviolence, and the life of steadfast resistance as selected by Jesuit priest, writer, and nonviolence practitioner John Dear. Paperback, 191 pages.
8.Grinker, Lori. Afterwar: Veterans from a World in Conflict. Millbrook, NY: de.MO, 2005.
The author spent fifteen years traveling through more than thirty countries to describe the lives of war veterans. Taking no ideological position, it simply describes what happens to the people who are sent to kill. Hardback, 248 pages.
- Hedges, Chris. War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 2003.
A veteran war correspondent points out the seduction of war and describes the terrible consequences of it. He takes the position that love is the only force strong enough to counteract war. Paperback, 211 pages.
10.???. What Every Person Should Know about War. New York, NY: Free Press, 2003.
This book, in question and answer format, gives blunt responses to basic questions about war, such as "Will I have privacy in the shower?" "Can I die if I?m shot in the arm or leg?" This book is important for those considering going into the military. Paperback, 176 pages.
11.McCarthy, Colman, ed. Solutions to Violence. Washington, DC: Center for Teaching Peace, n.d.
An extraordinary collection of writings on nonviolence from such leaders as Leo Tolstoy, Henry David Thoreau, Dorothy Day, Daniel Berrigan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Merton, Joan Baez, and Grace Yoder. Paperback, 230 pages. (See also #4 under web sites, which has many of these essays in downloadable form.)
- McCarthy, Emmanuel Charles. Christian Just War Theory: The Logic of Deceit. Wilmington, DE: Center for Christian Nonviolence, 2003.
In this short book, the author uses traditional Christian doctrine to show the illegitimacy of just war theory. Paperback, 57 pages.
13.Nelson-Pallmeyer, Jack. Jesus against Christianity: Reclaiming the Missing Jesus. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2001.
Nelson-Pallmeyer maintains that Christianity, in content and practice, is radically disconnected from the Jesus of history. This book draws attention to the violent, vengeful God of the Bible and demonstrates how Jesus broke with this tradition and proclaimed a vision of abundance and love of enemies. Paperback, 368 pages.
14.???. Is Religion Killing Us? Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2003.
An examination of the violent images of God in the sacred texts of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam: the Bible and the Quran. Violence-of-God traditions are explored in the context of their use to justify violence in service to God?s will. Hardback, 169 pages.
- ???. Saving Christianity from Empire. New York, NY: Continuum Books, 2005.
This book describes current US foreign policy in pursuit of empire and argues that many Christians out of fear, patriotism, propaganda, and distorted theology support US policies that are inconsistent with the life and teachings of Jesus. The radical non-violence of Jesus is explored as a challenge to Christians living in an imperial nation. Hardback, 184 pages.
- Roy, Arundhati. War Talk. Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2003.
An essay collection highlighting the global rise of militarism and religious and racial violence. Roy raises serious questions to consider against the backdrop of nuclear brinkmanship between India and Pakistan, the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat, and U.S. demands for an ever-expanding war on terror. Paperback, 142 pages.
- Schell, Jonathan. The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence and the Will of the People. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2003.
The author describes the changes that arms and humanity have undergone in the last century that have created an increasing chance for peace. Schell notes that the twentieth century brought killing without limits and at the same time was a century of nonviolent action. He argues that in our modern world, violence is a mark of human failure and has now become dysfunctional as a political instrument. Hardback, 431 pages.
- Sharp, Gene. The Politics of Nonviolent Action, 3 vols. Boston, MA: Sargent, 1973.
A formative three-part study of the nature of nonviolent struggle. Part one, Power and Struggle, examines political power and describes basic characteristics of nonviolent struggle. Part two, The Methods of Nonviolent Action, examines 198 specific methods of nonviolent protest and persuasion, noncooperation, and nonviolent intervention. Part three, The Dynamics of Nonviolent Action,examines the operation of nonviolent action against a violent, repressive opponent.
- ???. Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential. Boston, MA: Porter Sargent Publishers, 2005.
This book describes methods of nonviolent action using concrete examples of where it has been applied. This is such an in-depth study that it is a virtual encyclopedia of nonviolent action. Whether one believes in the power of nonviolence or comes to the book as a skeptic, it provides a great deal of material to ponder and discuss. It can also serve as a textbook for those interested in becoming proficient in nonviolent strategies. Hardback, 598 pages.
- Stone, Ronald H., and Dana Wilbanks, eds. The Peacemaking Struggle: Militarism and Resistance. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1985.
A collection of essays on the relationship of Christian faith to the issues involved in the contemporary struggle over the meaning of resistance to militarism. This book was prepared as a resource to help the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) face the question of an appropriate response to the responsibilities and limits of Christian citizenship in a society increasingly faced with the dangers of militarism. Paperback, 294 pages.
- Thich Nhat Hanh. Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World. New York, NY: Free Press, 2003.
This book by the world-renowned writer, scholar, spiritual leader, and Zen Buddhist monk proposes that peace is possible through courage and practice. To practice peace is to be aware of our thoughts, our actions, and the consequences of our actions and to think and act with compassion, love, and understanding. Thich Nhat Hanh describes how living mindfully and cultivating compassion in our daily lives diminishes violence and has a positive affect on our families, friends, and society. Hardback, 208 pages.
- Vanderhaar, Gerard A. Active Non-Violence: A Way of Personal Peace. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1990.
This book is an invitation to explore personal nonviolence and suggests ways to nurture a nonviolent life. It supports the belief that a nonviolent attitude and nonviolent action are best for personal as well as political living in the world. Paperback, 156 pages.
- Wink, Walter. Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.
This is a short discussion of Jesus? teachings on nonviolence, including their application to contemporary political and social struggles. Paperback, 117 pages.
- ???. The Powers That Be. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1998.
Wink describes our current social and political power system, which sustains itself by violence and by the myth that violence is redemptive. He describes Jesus as breaking the spiral of violence and teaching about nonviolence as a new way of living. This book is a condensation of Wink?s scholarly Powers trilogy. Hardback, 224 pages.
- Wink, Walter, ed. Peace Is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
A collection of writings and interviews on the theory, practice, and spirituality of peace, justice, nonviolent action, and reconciliation originally published in the magazine of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Paperback, 295 pages.
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Video Resources
1.A Force More Powerful
This documentary series originally aired on PBS. It tells six historic stories of how nonviolent power overcame oppression and authoritarian rule. The stories are India?s struggle for independence in the 1930s, the Nashville, Tennessee, 1960s lunch counter sit-ins, the 1985 campaign against apartheid in South Africa, the Danish resistance against the Nazis during World War II, the 1980s Polish worker struggle against the communist government, and the 1980s ouster of General Pinochet in Chile. It is highly recommended.
2.Bringing Down a Dictator
This is a PBS documentary on the nonviolent overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic by young people who had studied Gene Sharp?s writings on nonviolent action.
3. The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It
This is a PBS documentary on conscientious objectors in World War II.
4.Arlington West
This is a 2004 film about a temporary cemetery on the beaches of California that is erected on Sundays to commemorate the soldiers who have died during the Iraq War. As relatives, friends, and colleagues of the dead, as well as passersby in the community, come to visit, they talk about what they are thinking. The DVD version and study guide are available from Veterans for Peace.
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Web Sites
1.Every Church a Peace Church at http://www.ecapc.org
This is the home page for the national ECAPC organization. It includes background information, resolutions from peace churches, opinion pieces, and other helpful material.
2.Fellowship of Reconciliation at http://www.forusa.org
FOR is the oldest interfaith peacemaking group in the world. Their web site contains an overview of their work plus valuable educational material.
3.Readings on nonviolence at http://www.nonviolence.org
This is selection of writings on the subject of nonviolence.
4.The Class of Nonviolence: Solutions to Violence at http://www.salsa.net/peace/conv/index.html
This is an eight-session online class on nonviolence developed by Colman McCarthy, founder of the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington, DC. It uses classic essays in peace and justice literature, which are downloadable. (See #11 under Books for a companion published volume.)
5.The Conflict of Ages at http://www.christianpacifism.com
This lengthy document is meant to provide a codified explanation of the biblical basis for conscientious objection to military service.
6.War Resisters League at http://www.warresisters.org
This site provides excellent data on the military as well as information about the league?s programs and publications. The War Resisters League is a decades-old peace organization that does training and education on nonviolent action, including war tax resistance.
7.Center on Conscience and War (NISBCO) at http://www.centeronconscience.org/
This site supports conscientious objectors and opposes a potential draft. They offer legal and financial support to COs.
8.Central Committee on Conscientious Objection (CCCO) at http://www.objector.org
This site provides extensive help for anyone wanting to know about conscientious objection.
- Veterans for Peace at http://www.veteransforpeace.org
This organization of veterans is dedicated to the abolition of war. Their many projects to do that are detailed here.
- American Friends Service Committee at http://www.afsc.org
This site for the action arm of the Society of Friends or Quakers has information about its many projects to resist violence and care for its victims.
- Center for Christian Nonviolence at http://www.centerforchristiannonviolence.org
This site is especially useful for Roman Catholics who want to learn more about the theological underpinnings to Christian nonviolence.
- Turn Toward Life at http://www.turntowardlife.org/co_workbook.pdf
This site provides a free, downloadable 100-page workbook on conscientious objection.
- The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers at http://www.mapm.org/
A network of MN organizations working for peace.(Extensive list of links to other groups.)
- CircleVision athttp://www.circlevision.org/
A website shared by a number of activist organizations in Minnesota who are working for peace. Get involved!
- MN Council of Churches Peace Works at http://www.mnchurches.org/peace/
Peace related resources put together by the Minnesota Council of Churches. This site has a lot of good information that churches from a variety of mainstream denominations are using to talk about peace in a faith context.
16. Minnesota Neighbors for Peace at http://www.neighbors4peace.org
Provides access to several local Yahoo Groups associated with specific neighborhoods.
17. Charley Underwood's Peace Calendar. Subscribe to this very convenient weekly e-mail calendar.
Send a blank e-mail message to peacecalendar@visi.com with "peace calendar" in the subject line.
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