Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea (Modern Library Chronicles)

In this timely, highly original, and controversial narrative, Mark Kurlansky discusses nonviolence, not as a mere state of mind but as a distinct technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars. This sweeping yet concise history moves from ancient Hindu times to the present day, as Kurlansky brings into focus just why nonviolence is a "dangerous" idea and offers twenty-five provocative lessons on the subject that we can use to effect change today. He shows how, time and again, violence is used to suppress nonviolence and its practitioners, and how much of the hard work necessary to begin a nonviolent movement to end war is already complete. A long view of history shows that violence has never been very successful, while nonviolence has a remarkable record. Nonviolence is not just a manifesto for our times but a trailblazing book whose time has come.