The pacifist impulse in historical perspective / edited by Harvey L. Dyck.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The opening and closing chapters pay tribute to the pioneering leadership and scholarly accomplishments of Peter Brock and include a complete bibliography of his work in the field of peace history.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Resulting from a conference honoring the peace historian Peter Brock, this volume of essays is a welcome addition to the growing literature in the field of peace studies. Essays run the gamut from analyses of the Christian origins of pacifism to the role of women in the peace movements of the world. Although some are polemics that will interest only those familiar with the field, the majority of the studies will fascinate general readers, whether their interest is theology, feminism, or international peace organizations. Especially interesting are the contributions that focus on some of the dilemmas of "pacifism," e.g., can pacifists cooperate in any way with governments waging war? What about the concept of a just war, wars of national defense, or wars of national liberation? One misses an introductory essay connecting the various ideas put forth, and in the section on Gandhi one wishes there had been a contribution on Gandhian influences on Martin Luther King. But these are small quibbles; the collection is a major contribution to understanding the history of the struggle against violence and war. All levels. J. Wishnia SUNY at Stony Brook