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Confronting the past has become an established norm for countries undergoing transitions from violence to peace, from authoritarianism to democracy, or both. This book draws from two bodies of literature—peace building and transitional justice—to examine whether truth-telling mechanisms can contribute to sustainable peace and, if so, how and under what conditions. The authors approach these questions by examining whether truth telling contributes to the following elements, all of which are deemed to be constitutive of sustainable peace: reconciliation, human rights, gender equity, restorative justice, the rule of law, the mitigation of violence, and the healing of trauma.

While the transitional-justice literature appears to have grasped the importance of truth telling for securing sustainable peace, few studies have undertaken empirical analysis and evaluations of the long-term impact of such mechanisms. Contributors to this interdisciplinary volume—from the fields of political science, law, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, and theology—accomplish that by closely examining how societies emerging from violence must in some way examine, acknowledge, and account for violence committed in the past in order to move forward. ... Read more

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refreshing, needed narrative and analysis
WOMEN BUILDING PEACE is an unusual book---it analyzes the contributions of women in conflict, as well as their frustrations and setbacks, while telling stories that illustrate this long-neglected topic.It is insightful, informed, and important. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Disappointment
It's a pity one cannot find a really objective book about the conflict between Israel and its Arab Muslim neighbours. For a moment I thought that I found one but I was wrong: the victimhood complex permeates the book and nowhere could I find anything about Palestinians working, creating or building a better life for themselves.

Israel was built with the help of the international Jewish community. Why can't the "oil filled" Arab Muslim nations provide their brothers with a similar support? The book did not touch, explain or clarify this topic. Pity!

Difficult truth-telling
As an American Jew who just spent 6 months in Israel, this was a difficult and important book for me to read. The author writes of first-hand experience in the Israeli peace movement, and the challenging relationships between people on both sides of the Green Line. No one comes off looking perfect - not Israelis or Palestinians, right-wing or left-wing - but all the actors are flawed in one way or another, product of a terrible history. The book gave me hope that human beings can mend long-standing conflict, even if imperfectly and slowly. The story is, of necessity, biased, as it tells of one man's personal experiences, but still worth reading.

Dark Hope towards Enlightenment
Extremely well-written account of Israeli peace activists working to bring a bit of justice to the day to day lives of Palestineans under the Occupation.

Reveals a glimpse of the future in the fraternal interactions and warm personal relations that develop between Palestineans and Israelis when the task is to clear a roadblock, bring blankets to a village or harvest a crop faced with hostile settlers.

A great read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

From the cover:
From the back of the book:
Mennonite Studies, 2003. BV2073 .B43
Anabaptist biblical scholarship has led the way in the late twentieth century in creative and challenging analysis of issues related to peacemaking. This book is a major contribution to this tradition. Here Anabaptist scholars interact with contemporary scholarship at all levels, entering into debates on biblical texts. The authors establish not only that themes of peace and mission exist in a clear and fascinating relationship but also that people can no longer think of peace in the Bible without discussing mission in its Hebrew and its early Christian varieties.
... Read more

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Peace and Conflict Studies: A Reader is a comprehensive and intensive introduction to the key works in this growing field.

Peace and conflict studies, incorporating anthropology, sociology, political science, ethics, theology and history, aims to uncover the roots of conflict, transform the underlying causes, develop preventive strategies, and teach conflict resolution skills. As a trans-disciplinary inquiry into the nature of peace and the reasons for wars and other forms of human conflict, this discipline has grown exponentially since its birth about a half-century ago.  Since 2000, in particular, there has been a sharp increase in peace and conflict studies curricula, particularly in the number of postgraduate peace studies programs. Presenting a range of theories, methodologies, and approaches to understanding peace and to transforming conflict, it contains both classic and cutting-edge contemporary analyses. The book has six general sections:

PART I:The Meanings and History of Peace - philosophical, religious, social-scientific, and historical perspectives on the genealogy, history, and somewhat contested nature of peace and its study.
PART II:The Meanings and Nature of Conflict - focusing on the reasons for violent conflicts, wars, and terrorism.
PART III: The History of Peace and Conflict - histories of peace and social protest movements in general, and of democracy and nonviolent social movements in China and the former Soviet bloc in particular.
PART IV: Conflict Management, Resolution, and Transformation - focuses on contending approaches to conflict management, resolution, and transformation, and includes assessments of diplomacy, realpolitik, international law, nonviolent revolutionary movements, disarmament, and reconciliation.
PART V:  Nonviolent Action and Social Change - classic essays on nonviolence in theory and as a way of life, as well as contemporary asssessments of nonviolence as a means of political transformation.
PART VI: Building Cultures and Paradigms of Peace - focuses on building cultures of peace via peacekeeping and peacemaking. Societies that have sustained peace are a central element in this analysis.

The volume editors frame the discussion in an extensive introduction and provide short introductions to each section as well. Each section includes also suggestions for further reading and student questions for the classroom.

This book will be essential reading for students of peace and conflict studies and conflict resolution, and highly recommended for students of peace operations, peacebuilding, sociology, international security and IR in general

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In Democracy and International Conflict, James Lee Ray defends the idea, so optimistically advanced by diplomats in the wake of the Soviet Union’s demise and so hotly debated by international relations scholars, that democratic states do not initiate war against one another and therefore offer an avenue to universal peace. Ray acknowledges that despite persuasive theoretical arguments and empirical evidence in favor of this idea, the democratic peace proposition is susceptible to attack on three points: the statistical rarity of both international wars and democracies; the difficulty in defining democracy; and the vulnerability of democratic regimes. To confront these criticisms, Ray offers a systematic analysis of regime transitions and a workable definition of democracy as well as careful scrutiny of cases in which democracies averted international conflict. ... Read more

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Most peace accords reached in civil wars over the past decade have resulted in extremely dysfunctional peace: a grudging and exhausted hiatus in conflict rather than a process that results in sustainable peace and reconciliation between antagonistic groups. Despite the local and international peace-support energy expended in Bosnia, Israel-Palestine, Cambodia, Northern Ireland, Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere, the quality of peace experienced by citizens in post-war locations is often appalling. This book adopts a critical perspective to investigate the stalled, tense and fragile peace that often follows orthodox peace processes and peace accords supported by the international community. It identifies the 'liberal democratic peace' as the increasingly standardized version of peace promoted by leading states, international organizations and international financial institutions. Based on extensive observations in societies emerging from civil wars, No War, No Peace offers guidance on rejuvenation and reorientation of stalled and dysfunctional peace accords. ... Read more

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What happens when Catholic social teaching is taken to heart? Sowing Justice, Reaping Peace offers a contemporary analysis of the roles played by groups and individuals in responding to many of the major social conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century. Michael Duffey offers a contemporary analysis of people and events and synthesizes the mountain of materials devoted to single conflicts or issues to give a serious, detailed look at how Catholic social teachings are lived out in times of crisis.

Sowing Justice, Reaping Peace explores nine recent and/or ongoing social issues and struggles from around the world, giving historical background, analysis of the conflict, pivotal events, and the role of local churches and individuals in overcoming injustices and resolving conflicts. The thread running throughout the book is the examination of the religious motivations of those who have struggled for peace and justice.These are the stories of individuals and movements whose faith has helped forge social and political change that heals the wounded. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good message, just tedious to read
This book talks about the different conflicts in history that have been a challenge to peace. Although it was interesting at times, there is a lot of frivolous information. Not a fan of history myself, I was bored by it. But from this, we are able to learn about Catholic Social Teaching. I would recommend buying it only if you like history, even if you are not Catholic. World peace is something that affects everyone and should be discussed more often. ... Read more

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A compelling view of the 1960s and how protest was born
When I started this book while researching the peace movement in the 1960s, I already had an admiration for these great women. After I read Swerdlow's book, I felt even more inspired and moved. This book is entertaining, factual and intellectual. Swerdlow writes a fantastic narrative of how these women turned the tide of the McCarthy Era and broke out of an era of domestic containment (read the chapter "Ladies Day at the Capital" to see what I mean). Using motherhood as a method of protest, these women truly were pioneers of their time. When we think of the 60s and protest we often think of the youth in SDS or SNCC, but Swerdlow shows that protest in the 60s was more complex and more ordinary than we think. As a future teacher, parts of this book would also work well in a lesson about why stereotypes of the 60s don't always reflect reality.

Thorougly researched, provocative women's peace history.
This history of Women Strike for Peace, a creative bold, and effective women-led grass-roots political movement for an end to nuclear testing and against the Vietnam War is particularly relevant today as women seek toregister theiropposition to U.S military policies. Gloria Steinemadvised: "No historian, activist, or self-respecting women should bewithout this book." Anne Davidon in the Philadelphia Enquirerstated:"Amy'Swerdlow's throughly researched book is a crucial piece oftoo-easily forgotten recent history. Swerdlow, a history professor andformer director of the graduate program in women history at Sarah LawrenceCollege was a founder of WSP.While her personal involvement providedmotivation for this literary labor or love, her clear eyed sense of historyenabled her not to be blind to the movements limitations."Particularly fascinating are the chapters on the peace women's rout of theHouse Un-American Activities Committe and on Bella Abzug's role aslegislative director of the movement and how it led to her decision to runfor Congress. ... Read more

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With war and violence flaring all over the world, many of us are left feeling vulnerable and utterly helpless. In this book Pema Chödrön draws on Buddhist teachings to explore the origins of aggression, hatred, and war, explaining that they lie nowhere but within our own hearts and minds. She goes on to explain that the way in which we as individuals respond to challenges in our everyday lives can either perpetuate a culture of violence or create a new culture of compassion.

"War and peace begin in the hearts of individuals," declares Pema Chödrön at the opening of this inspiring and accessible book. She goes on to offer practical techniques any of us can use to work for peace in our own lives, at the level of our habits of thought and action. It's never too late, she tells us, to look within and discover a new way of living and transform not only our personal lives but our whole world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Excellent Discussion of Shenpa
I have been through this book twice now, and envision turning to it several more times -- perhaps just particular parts that I feel slip out of my brain too easily.

Her discussion of shenpa is particularly excellent. This Tibetan word, usually translated as attachment, is uncovered in detail with humorous and helpful stories. Shenpa is that experience of tightening we feel when someone says something that pushes one of our buttons or triggers our anger, or touches a soft spot, etc, and is the source of a lot of conflict.

Pema Chodron gives a few suggested practices for dealing with the experience and I have to say I find them both simple and challenging.

What would our family and community life be like if more people were introduced to these ideas and agreed to be more mindful about practicing them? I can't imagine, but would love to see it!

timely info
I thought the message was simple and to the point.Very helpful and not to wordy.

good lesson in patience
This is a short book - a very quick read - I think I read it in about 30 minutes.This is an excellent book on finding peace and practicing patience.

Practicing peace
I was lucky enough to be able to go on retreat with Pema in Co about a year and a half ago.The title of the retreat was "practicing peace in times of war" - needless to say this little book was a prerequisite to read.
This is a powerful little book.

Per Pema, evaluating our feelings without reacting is "wisdom"mind- and it teaches us that our thoughts are what cause us suffering.We can start to see those habitual patternsin our lives and perhapswe can begin to understand them a little -and choose another path.If we can understand our own pain and suffering, maybe we can begin to understand that other people aren't all that different. What we think - matters !it can destroy or it can build - it's a choice we all make.

I love Pema and read all of her books - this one is as good as they come.an easy quick read that will open your heart.

Practical companion book
This is a companion book for those who want to deal with adversity and anger in their lives in a different way.It is personal, practical, humorous, down-to-earth.For personal reading and thought or group study. Pema Chodron gives us a way to love ourselves just as we are AND practices to make changes we need to make. ... Read more

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U.S. Peacefare: Organizing American Peace-Building Operations surveys the evolution of the American peace-building apparatus during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, with an emphasis on changes since 2003, when the invasion of Iraq led the Bush Administration to adopt a Clinton-style nation-building approach they had previously vigorously opposed.

U.S. Peacefare begins with a historical overview of official U.S. peace-building, then looks at the organization and interaction of the major federal agencies in the National Security Council, the State Department, and the Defense Department, as well the U.S. Institute for Peace, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Throughout, author and former Ambassador Dane Smith emphasizes how a deeper understanding of peace-building organizations and their interactions in particular cases is essential to strengthening future U.S. conflict management. The book addresses the critical overall issue of how peace-building is funded, but within the federal budget and internationally, and concludes with Smith's recommendations for reforming those organizations.

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While adolescence is never easy, during wartime its difficulty is more pronounced. This story of a boy's growing up and floating between identities is filled with moral dilemma.

This concise supplement to Knowles's A Separate Peace helps students understand the overall structure of the novel, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

purcase review
this was a purchase i needed fast delivery on .. had a positive response on delivery.

Easy Reading
This book helped me to help my grandson answer the questions that would promote thought. The characters became alive and understandable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone reading "A Separate Peace". The condition of the book was in excellent condition.

Tragically Disappointing
This cliff notes is very disappointing.To much analysis and not enough straight fact from starters.Also, as I perused it in 10th grade for my final exams, I wondered if Cliff and I had read the same book.The book is short..you're better off reading the book.At best, use it as a companion to the book.

Okay book...
I needed cliff notes for my report, but all they do is help... ... Read more