Will War Ever End?: A Soldier's Vision of Peace for the 21st Century [Hardcover]

Paul K Chappell (Author), Dave Grossman com (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2009

"There is cause to hope, and believe, that there can be an end to war."

--Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (ret.)

Once in a great while, a book is written that substantially changes the way people think about a particular subject. Will War Ever End? is such a book. Written as a "manifesto for waging peace" by an active duty captain in the U.S. Army, Will War Ever End? challenges readers to think about peace, war and violence in radically new ways.

"Are human beings naturally violent?"

"What is hatred?"

"How can love overcome the power of hatred?"

"How does nonviolence overcome the power of violence?"

"How can we prove that unconditional love makes us psychologically healthy and that hatred, just like an illness, occurs when something has gone wrong?"

"How does violence against the natural world relate to violence between human beings?"

These are all questions that Captain Paul K. Chappell leads us to consider in a strikingly new way. In Will War Ever End?, Chappell demonstrates that human beings are naturally peaceful and that world peace can become more than a cliché. He lays out a practical framework for transforming the way we think about war and violence, enabling us to begin the real work we must do in order to achieve true peace for mankind.

Will War Ever End? is a deeply personal story of a soldier's search for human understanding that will lead to universal transformation. Its message is one of hope, offering practical solutions to help us build a better world.

We can all make change.

Now is the time to begin.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Captain Chappell has written a lucid, eloquent, compelling book, a wonderful book… The abolition of war is possible, providing we do the work of creating trustworthy structures of collective security and waging peace as Captain Chappell models for us.” - Jonathan Shay, M.D, Ph.D, 2009 Omar Bradley Chair of Strategic Leadership, US Army War College; MacArthur Fellow, author of Achilles in Vietnam and Odysseus in America (foreword by Senators John McCain and Max Cleland)

“Nobel Laureates are generally people who have brought complex and confusing issues to a level of beauty and simplicity. With that same skill, Captain Paul K. Chappell of the U.S. Army has done this in analyzing the insanity of war. We must end this diabolical institution now! His book, Will War Ever End?: A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century gives us the necessary orientation. May God bless his work.” - Blase Bonpane, Ph.D., Director of the Office of the Americas, Senior Research Fellow of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, UCLA professor, host of the radio program World Focus on Pacifica Radio (Los Angeles), author of Guerrillas of Peace on the Air and Common Sense for the 21st Century.

“I recently read Paul K. Chappell’s book and found it extraordinary in its clarity and insight. It is not often that one comes across a book that is a passionate and reasoned plea for ending war. It is even rarer to find a book like this written by a young soldier… Chappell has written a thoughtful and valuable meditation on the need to end war by waging peace. I recommend it highly to everyone who cares about the future of humanity and other living creatures.” - David Krieger, J.D., Ph.D., author, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility

“It is incumbent on all who endorse the way of nonviolence to become assertive agents of change. One person who has taken up the challenge is Captain Paul K. Chappell, U.S. Army. He has written a remarkable little book based on personal experience and study, Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century. His thesis is compelling, and if generally embraced, could be harbinger of a turn around in human acceptance of war as a given, similar to the turn around in human acceptance of slavery as a given… I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is perfect for book clubs and congregational study groups. It’s a quick read, but profound, and is sure to provoke substantive discussion.” - Rev. Dr. Allison Stokes, Director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Director of the Interfaith Chapel, University of Rochester

“Will War Ever End?, by Army Captain Paul K. Chappell, is a personal, passionate and deeply informed exploration of war and human nature by a man whose life has been profoundly shaped by militarism. This book represents an important contribution to the literature of war and peace… It’s a powerful piece of writing.” – John Horgan, Senior Writer at Scientific American (1986-1997), author of the Undiscovered Mind and Rational Mysticism, Director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology

“The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ This is an idea that finally solidified in my mind while enjoying Captain Paul K. Chappell’s succinct and very important book Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace For The 21st Century… This book is only 84 pages, but it’s the biggest book I’ve read in years. It is the very rare kind of book that surprises and transforms, and leads us gently but completely to a revolution in thinking. It could very likely become required reading.” - Book Review on Livewriters.com by Emily Kischell

“Captain Paul K. Chappell of the U.S. Army writes a very persuasive book with his Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century. Comparing the tolerance of war to the tolerance of slavery, serfdom, and subjugation of women — all of which are now almost universally deemed unacceptable and unthinkable– Chappell argues that through peaceful demonstration to governments and global re-education of people, we can see the end to war in our lifetime. Halleluiah, I’m on board.” - Nina Sankovitch, Readallday.org

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Will War Ever End? is a book we felt must be published. Along with its accompanying website, we hope this book will contribute to meaningful change in the way people look at our world and how we live, not only with our fellow humans, but with our fellow beings of all kinds. Humans are violent not only to each other but to the natural world we inhabit. We have reached a point of no return in our relationships with each other and with our planet. Our commitment to helping make that change is the reason this book exists. Any profits that come to us from publishing this book will be dedicated to furthering its goals. When you buy a copy of Will War Ever End? you are making a contribution to help change the world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 84 pages
• Publisher: Rvive Books; 1St Edition edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935073028
• ISBN-13: 978-1935073024
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #956,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul K. Chappell graduated from West Point in 2002. He served in the army for seven years, was deployed to Baghdad in 2006, and left active duty in November 2009 as a Captain. He is the author of "Will War Ever End?: A Soldier's Vision of Peace for the 21st Century", "The End of War: How Waging Peace Can Save Humanity, Our Planet, and Our Future", and "Peaceful Revolution: How We Can Create the Future Needed for Humanity's Survival". He lives in Santa Barbara, California, where he is serving as the Peace Leadership Director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. He is working on his fourth book, The Art of Waging Peace, and he speaks throughout the country to colleges, high schools, veterans groups, churches, and activist organizations. His website is www.willwareverend.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Read February 19, 2009

By C. Collins

Format:Hardcover

I read Will War Ever End a couple of weeks ago, and I find myself still thinking about it's powerful message. Captain Chappell demonstrates that not only is world peace possible, it is inevitable for human existence. It is an uplifting book that provides a hopeful outlook for the world's future.

The fact that the publisher's profits and all of the author's royalties from the book are being donated to support veterans organization, gives me even more reason to recommend it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read February 10, 2009

By Mr. Robert J. Carter

Format:Hardcover

I've ordered many books from Amazon.com over the years, but this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review. Paul Chappell's book is a must read for warriors, politicians, statesmen, and religious leaders alike. In fact, everyone can benefit from Paul's insight and carefully structured logical examination of human traits as they relate to war.

Captain Chappell distills his thought provoking analysis into 84 hard-hitting pages. No word is wasted. His is a relatively small book with an earth shattering message. Never before have I taken "world peace" seriously. After reading Paul's book, I see the inescapable truth. We must not accept war's carnage and destruction as inevitable.

ROBERT J. CARTER, Colonel, USAFR

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful words... February 10, 2009

By Robert A. Lantka II

Format:Hardcover

Paul Chappell's personal experience, clear deductive logic, and leadership jump from the pages. I believe that his themes of "fury", "rage", "companionship", and "how war can really end" have been better defined through his writing of this book. Through Paul's own creativity and reasoning, he has taken the issue of "how to end war" to the next level. It is simply a must read.

Can war ever end? I was skeptical at first, but after reading this book, I know how I can make a difference
- Captain Robert A. Lantka II, US Army