Description

Is there room for nonviolence in an age of terrorism? Longtime peace activist and authority on creative nonviolence David Cortright makes a strong case for the need for nonviolent action now more than ever. Drawing on the legend and lessons of Gandhi, Cortright traces the history of nonviolent social activism through the early 20th century to the civil rights movement, the Vietnam era, and up to the present war in Iraq. Gandhi and Beyond offers a critical evaluation and refinement of Gandhi's message, laying the foundation for a renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as the universal path to social progress and antidote to terrorism.

• Portrays Gandhi's political strengths and weaknesses in an impeccably researched and historically accurate work
• Extends the lessons of Gandhi as they were applied by such 20th century luminaries as Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Dorothy Day, and Barbara Deming
• Integrates the author's deep personal experience with the peace movement and commitment to nonviolent action from his service in Vietnam up to the current war in Iraq
• Presents classic historical photos, timelines, anecdotes, and quotes to enliven the text
• Offers a new analysis of the role of sex and gender in Gandhi's life, as well as the importance of feminism to peace movements past and present

Author Info

David Cortright is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Fourth Freedom Forum and the Director of Policy Studies at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. His most recent books include a new edition of Soldiers in Revolt: GI Resistance During the Vietnam War (Haymarket Books, 2005) and A Peaceful Superpower: The Movement Against War in Iraq (Fourth Freedom Forum, 2004).

Reviews

“David Cortright is a life-long activist and respected scholar. In Gandhi and Beyond, he convincingly shows the power of nonviolence as a philosophy of life, not just a method of social action. His practical analysis of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez, and others brings new insights and inspiration to those of us attempting to live that philosophy, and to those, especially a new generation, who are seeking a better way to respond to their world. I commend this book to all who are seeking an alternative to violence.”
—-Jim Wallis, author of God’s Politics and editor of Sojourners

“Gandhi and Beyond is a marvelous book, admirably researched and accessibly written, suitable for courses in nonviolence and peace studies, or for anyone wanting to learn more about this crucially important topic.”
—-David P. Barash, University of Washington, author of Peace and Conflict Studies, Approaches to Peace, and Understanding Violence

“In Gandhi and Beyond, veteran nonviolence activist David Cortright pulls together some important lessons from the recent history of the nonviolence movement. He gives us a strong new interpretation of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, looks at the legacy of U.S. thinker-activists like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, and Barbara Deming, and draws heavily on his own experience as an antiwar organizer, too. Cortright’s clear exposition of the big themes of nonviolent activism could not be more timely. The tsunami of hyper-militarization that held much of the United States in its grip in the years right after 9/11 has finally started to recede, leaving more questions than before about how people can respond effectively and in nonviolent ways to the violence of our age, and how we can build a better world that ‘takes away the cause for war.’ Cortright helps provide some good answers.”
—-Helena Cobban, columnist, Christian Science Monitor

“David Cortright presents an overview of nonviolence that is warm yet critical, theoretical yet practical, historical and also transcontinental. Scholars and practitioners of peaceful struggle will profit from it and also enjoy it.”
—-Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Visiting Professor, University of Illinois

“A useful and important book – the world would be a better place if Gandhi and Beyond were required reading at every church, high school, and university in the country. Why? Because Cortright has managed to explain in 221 pages how to transform nonviolent action from an admirable ideal to an effective vehicle for social change. If that’s not essential material for our movement, I don’t know what is.”
--Sojourners