Customer Reviews

A Force More Powerful: A Century of Non-Violent Conflict

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In many ways, these are bleak times. Global inequality widens....This book is an antidote. It tells us about the power of ordinary human actions and voices, even against the most seemingly overhwelming odds. It teaches us how change occurs, and the unexpected leaps that it takes. It reminds us of the power we have to act for justice. And it opens up new possibilities as to how we might resolve our conflicts without violence.

Lots of times people shy away from the history of non-violence because they aren't principled pacifists. They would have fought in World War II or in our own Civil War, against slavery. That's fine. A Force More Powerful doesn't require that we take an absolute moral stand. Rather, it argues, with example after example, that non-violent action is more powerful and effective in a array of situations than violent resistant, even against autocrats and tyrants. The book frees up our imagination and gives us ways to act...

Why did revenge and vengeance dominate the 9-11 discussion by public officials and the media? Why do our public discourse and media images seem virtually bereft of the common sense that informs many other areas of life? This outstanding book could help fill the void. It consists of a dozen very well-written and well-documented case studies of the power of nonviolence in dealing with injustice on a national or international scale. And I mean the power of nonviolence like King and Gandhi lived it, not the stereotype of nonviolence as passivity or cowardice.

Good parents know revenge doesn't work with their children, good teachers know it doesn't work in the classroom, good citizens know it doesn't work in their community, and a growing proportion of the criminal justice world is embracing the vision of "restorative justice" as a much more functional grounding for most of their work. Even though the majority of people in the US know that revenge doesn't work, there is a lack of awareness of the power of nonviolence in the larger public arena, even though two thirds of the world's population has experienced nonviolent social change that was successful beyond anyone's wildest dreams in South Africa, Eastern Europe, the Philippines, Gandhi in India, the US civil rights movement, to name just a few case studies covered in this remarkable book.

As someone who has taught and worked in community centers in the highest crime areas of NYC and Oakland and directed conflict and peace studies programs for 80 public schools, a university, and several community and national organizations, I can affirm that people are hungry for the hope that comes from stories of nonviolence in action.

Bravo! These two fine gentlemen are helping to bring nonviolent methods to solve conflict into the mainstream of thought and discussion. It wasn't too long ago that such ideas as national nonviolent resistance was left to "fringe" groups and people like Gene Sharp. This book compliments a number of more recent publications that are attempting to legitmize nonviolent methods and philosophy into the general cultural and international mainstream.

With the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction it behoves individuals and nations to adopt more sane and humane policies and actions that promote human rights, peace and social justice. Such things are pillars to the nonviolent methods and struggles of any century, especially the new one!

As a Christian theologian and parent I have wrestled with the study and application of nonviolence in all dimensions of life. Two decades ago nonviolent solutions to international problems was considered nonsense and inconceivable. Now it is considered indepensible! We are all in the debt of these two gentlemen that wrote this book and that helped to give rise to the PBS series.

Excellent! One of the most powerful books I have ever read. Explodes the left-wing myth that revolutions only occur through violence a la Che Guevara, cites many examples where non-violence protest has ultimately changed the executive power of states from the Phillipines to El Salvador, and won people civil rights. Includes Gandhi and also the Civil Rights movement in the USA in the 60s as case studies.

Here is a look at conflict from an alternate vantage point, and not coincidentally one of the finest TV tie-in books. In 12 chapters covering a larger number of cases from 20th century history, the authors demonstrate that nonviolence has been surprisingly effective in defeating injustice, tyranny and even concerted use of force. Africa and the Middle East receive less attention, but the overall scope is genuinely global, demonstrating that the potential for successful nonviolent resistance really is widespread if not universal. (Note: published in 2000, it covers only the first, largely nonviolent Palestinian Intifada.) Granted that use of force may be necessary in some situations, this book contains a powerful message. It is an antidote to the rush-to-battle that has characterized much recent foreign (and domestic) policy, and not just in the US. It is also superb for teaching world history and many thematic courses, offering solid case studies on which students can build their own research. Some names are familiar---Gandhi, King, Mandela---but readers will meet many unsung heroes whose stories are equally inspiring. They will aid in finding the courage to struggle, with compassion, that lies within.

This is a very important book and deserves consideration for inclusion in ALL history education classes in America, if not the world. Of course, many powers-that-be would be adverse to this subversive idea, since it would in effect, instruct people on how to take control of their own lives out of the hands of malfeasant, greedy politicians and instead empower democracy through democracy, rather than the current American vogue of democracy at the point of a gun. The book describes several of the well-known non-violent movements as well as lesser known ones, such as the German women who embarrassed the Nazis into returning their arrested Jewish husbands from certain death. The associated documentary is also outstanding. A must-have for anyone who hopes the world can save itself from itself (and I'm not sure I'm in that category.)

If your a social activists, and you sometimes feel that "progress" is a lost cause... READ THIS BOOK. If you are a political organizer, and it just doesn't seem worth it anymore... READ THIS BOOK. If you really believe in the power of Direct Action, but feel all used up and stale in your efforts... READ THIS BOOK. This is one of the few books available for people with leftisits, or humanist, causes that will make you smile and give you hope, and remind you that sometimes "the good fight" is a long one - but well worth it. It also takes one out of a self centered reality, and pays homage to those who have faught so hard before us. (and I am not talking about soldiers or fireman..)

Vignettes of a host of nonviolent political conflicts: in Russia 1905, Gandhi in India, Poland and the USSR, U.S. civil rights, South Africa, El Salvador, Chile, Palestine, etc. Nicely written and easy to follow. Draws important lessons at the end for those interested in learning from the past. This is inspiring, useful and important stuff.

--Alan Zundel, the HeartAwake Center

I was amazed at how fast my order went through...I think I received the book three days after placing the order! The book was in amazing condition!