The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers [Hardcover]

Scott A. Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2002

The world's foremost peacemakers share their perspectives on their craft, with contributions from Thich Quang Do, Jane Goodall, Maha Ghosandanda, and many others.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"It is much easier to see the problem than to find the answer!" declares the Dalai Lama while discussing the future of peace with first-time author Hunt, who has a degree in international law and teaches Buddhism at UC-Berkeley. The Dalai Lama, Dr. Jane Goodall and Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi are some of the great peacemakers whose eloquent voices are captured by Hunt in this bold attempt to discover the causes of human suffering and the antidote to violence. While in Cambodia, Hunt denotes the historical forces that led to the Khmer Rouge genocide and unapologetically details America's role in creating "one of the darkest episodes in human history." He converses with the famed Buddhist monk Maha Ghosananda, "the Gandhi of Cambodia," about the importance of compassion and forgiveness, even toward one's enemy. The ability of Maha Ghosananda to forgive the Khmer Rouge, responsible for the murder of his entire family, is incomprehensible until Hunt invites the monk to explain his Buddhist philosophy. Hunt himself displays courage and persistence in gaining access to these minds. He details his discreet communications with underground operatives in Burma who helped him evade military intelligence officers hoping to block his access to Suu Kyi. Similarly, in Israel, Hunt defies cautionary warnings to cross into the Gaza Strip to show the oppressive conditions of Palestinian refugee camps. In the words of Maha Ghosananda, "you are who you associate with," and through these accounts, Hunt hopes we all might become a little more peaceful. (Oct.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“I know Mahatma Gandhi would have welcomed this book.” (The Honorable Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and a member of the Parliament of South Africa )

“This soul-stirring volume... nurtures within us the spirit of nonviolence.” (Spirituality and Health magazine )

“A mind-expanding and soul-stirring book, [The Future of Peace] offers welcome and necessary light.” (San Jose Mercury News )

“Scott Hunt is a remarkable man who has written a remarkable book.” (Dr. Jane Goodall )

“I really appreciate this work. This is a very important book.” (His Holiness the Dalai Lama )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1st edition (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062517414
• ISBN-13: 978-0062517418
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-Provoking and Compassionate, April 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers (Hardcover)

Scott Hunt has written a very moving and almost lyrical book in the way in which he blends some of the the worst horrors committed by humans against fellow beings with the compassion and kindliness of the peacemakers. It gives you a deep sense of hope and conviction that the spirit of humanity will tirumph eventually and inspires you to try hard as it may be to embrace the vices of those who still believe in commiting these violent acts.
Marvelouslly,it is also a political eye-opener into the true motivation of the actions taken in the name of peace by the political leaders...

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A HUNDRED STAR RATING, December 19, 2002

By 

"zoeysuze" (Santa Barbara. Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers (Hardcover)

The "Future of Peace" is perhaps the most compelling book I have ever read. I was very deeply moved by it. Scott A. Hunt is an outstanding writer and interviewer. He asks insightful questions of prominent peacemakers and receives soul searching, thought provoking answers, with overall themes of hope, forgiveness and perseverance. The interviews are more like informal discussions and I almost felt I was right there. He also gives excellent background information on the various areas of conflict where the peacemakers reside, with facts one doesn't learn in school or read/see often in mainstream news. I kept trying to put it down, so as to absorb each chapter, but had to continue to the end, almost nonstop. It is definately a book to read again and again. If all students, political leaders and citizens of the world read it and took the messages to heart, perhaps we could obtain a more peaceful world. In these troubled and treacherous times, Mr. Hunt and the peacemakers give a message that should be spread throughout the world, both heartbreaking and soul inspiring at the same time. If you are wondering whether to buy "The Future of Peace", just do it! You will be so glad you did!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, March 2, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers (Hardcover)

This book is excellent in so many ways. Scott Hunt has given us an inspiring book. I learned so much in historical background and in the work of heroic people of our time.
I would urge anyone who wants an understanding of the problems in the world today to buy this book. Once you open it, you will be compelled to read it from cover to cover.
If you believe that the answer to all the issues of the world are simple, and that all the world except the US is bad, than I ask you to open your mind and take a look at the world described in these pages. If you believe that killing only creates more killing and there must be a better way, than allow these stories to provoke your mind.
The most compelling part of this book to me was the discussion of Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. I ask you to please try and understand how it can be that such a monstrous people can be created, and how such horrible things can be done to human beings. This chapter will leave you wondering how you can ever again accept on the surface the "information" we are given. You will realize the consequences of violence. You will search your mind for answers that are not on the news.

This book is not perfect. I was left wondering more about the history of Costa Rica than I was given, for example. And there are times when Scott explains things more than I would like. I think he could leave his conclusions to the people he interviews. Others may find that that part of the book helps tie things together.
Still, overall the book was outstanding and deserves every bit of 5 stars.