Two Books on Non-violence

A new book, Human Smoke: the Beginnings of World War II, the End of Civilization, by Quaker novelist Nicholson Baker is causing quite a stir. Baker has created a compelling work of nonfiction bound to provoke discussion and controversy — a wide-ranging, astonishingly fresh perspective on the political and social landscape that gave rise to World War II. Human Smoke delivers a closely textured, deeply moving indictment of the treasured myths that have romanticized much of the 1930s and '40s. This book is already listed on The New York Times bestseller list and has been favorably reviewed by many periodicals.

Mark Kurlansky (author of Nonviolence: the History of a Dangerous Idea) says about the book, “People are going to get really angry at Baker for criticizing their favorite war. But he hasn't fashioned his tale from gossip. It is documented, with copious notes and attributions. The grace of these well-ordered snapshots is that there is no diatribe; you are left to put things together yourself. Read Human Smoke. It may be one of the most important books you will ever read. It could help the world to understand that there is no Just War, there is just war -- and that wars are not caused by isolationists and peaceniks but by the promoters of warfare.”

With amazing timing, Kurlansky’s remarkable book, Nonviolence: the History of a Dangerous Idea, is now available in paperback. Kurlansky discusses nonviolence as a distinct entity, a course of action, rather than a mere state of mind. Nonviolence can and should be a technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars, he asserts, which is why it is the preferred method of those who speak truth to power.

Posted by QuakerBooks on April 15, 2008 1:21 PM | Permalink