The Courage for Peace: Daring to Create Harmony in Ourselves and the World [Paperback]

Louise Diamond (Author), Neale Donald Walsch (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

Louise Diamond, an expert in conflict resolution, has spent more than 30 years examining the principles of peace. Her conclusion? That inner and outer peace are actually the same. Whatever the setting, there are four simple principles that must be engaged. Through reflection and real-life stories, Diamond examines the actions - personal, local, and global - that can contribute to a more peaceful world. Diamond has traveled the world, from the Balkans to Palestine, to promote peace and end the violence that tears families, towns, and nations apart. With information on scores of peace-making organizations, The Courage for Peace is truly a call to save the world, one action at a time.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Even during so-called "times of peace," there always seems to be an enemy to fight in the United States, notes author and peace activist Louise Diamond. "Whether the 'they' are immigrants, those who disagree with our views on abortion or environmental matters, members of another political party... a combative approach has become our social norm." And then there's the material greed that leads us to become viciously protective of self-interests and personal property.

Of course it's easy to feel defeated and powerless in the face of these overwhelming cultural norms. Fortunately, it is also easy to feel inspired and hopeful after reading Louise Diamond's excellent discussion on how one person, one soul, can help create national and even global peace. Like Jane Goodall's bestselling memoir, A Reason for Hope, Diamond shows us how spiritual commitment and an unwillingness to succumb to despair can lead to global change. Peace is not so much an outcome--such as no war--it is a daily choice that has a ripple effect. For those who crave more overt activism she includes a lengthy "Peace Resource Guide," with numerous global programs for peacemaking. --Gail Hudson

From Kirkus Reviews

Peace advocate Louise Diamond offers a challenge to every individual: You are called to be a peacemaker! Dont just sit in your armchair worrying over the nightly news and wishing for peace in Ireland or the Middle East. Take active steps to create peace in your personal life, your local community, and the wider world. Understanding the deep spiritual truth that we are all interconnected is an important initial step towards peace, as is recognizing that love is the glue that holds us all together. Then we can move towards repairing broken ties, reconciling, and forgiving ourselves and others, the next step in building bridges of peace. Over and over, Diamond assures us that one person can make a difference. Consider, she says, the Catholic priest who ministered to prostitutes, or the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Unfortunately, Diamond is given to grand proclamations about each persons peace-building potential; she never tells readers who arent professional activists just what we can do. Her one concrete tip is relegated to the last pages: Get involved with the National Peace Foundation, UNESCO, The National Association for Community Mediation, Hope in the Cities, or another reputable advocacy group. Inspiring, but too vague to offer much help to tyro peaceniks. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Conari Pr (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573241652
• ISBN-13: 978-1573241656
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great resource for increasing peace, June 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Courage for Peace: Daring to Create Harmony in Ourselves and the World (Paperback)

written by an expert on peace, this book provides inspiration for taking actions to promote peace in our hearts and neighborhoods.