Most people know Linus Pauling as a towering figure of 20th- century science, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist with an exceptional gift for teaching. Wha
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Most people know Linus Pauling as a towering figure of 20th- century science, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist with an exceptional gift for teaching. What many people do not know is that early in his brilliant career, Pauling made a moral choice to commit half his time to working for world peace.
Linus Pauling on Peace is an anthology that captures what Pauling himself believed was his most important work. For four decades, he was arguably the most articulate, energetic, and philosophically compelling voice urging the human race to use reason rather than weapons to solve problems. He was publicly vilified, subpoenaed by Congress, denied a passport, ridiculed by the press, shunned by colleagues. Yet he persevered, willing to risk everything to save humankind from self-destruction. His work helped secure the first Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty -- and won him the Nobel Peace Prize.
His ideas are as timely today as when he first wrote about them: The nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan. Biochemical warfare. Destruction of the ecosystem. Damage to the human genome from radiation and pollution. The need for global, not just national approaches to problems. And underlying everything, the necessity of a strong ethical framework and the willingness to commit to it, no matter what the cost.
His outlook might be summed up by this quote from the book: Science is the search for the truth--it is not a game in which one tries to beat his opponent, to do harm to others. We need to have the spirit of science in international affairs, to make the conduct of international affairs the effort to find the right solution, the just solution of international problems, and not an effort by each nation to get the better of other nations, to do harm to them when it is possible. I believe in morality, in justice, in humanitarianism.
Barbara Marinacci and Ramesh Krishnamurthy have masterfully selected, arranged and annotated the material to make it accessible and compelling. The book includes an introduction by Linus Pauling, Jr. and over 20 photos of Pauling the family man as well as Pauling the activist. A special section on Ava Helen Pauling, wife and partner to Linus, shows her to be a spirited and effective campaigner for world peace, too ? and a woman ahead of her time in refusing to accept societal limitations because of her gender.
We believe Linus Pauling on Peace will attract a new generation of Pauling enthusiasts, and inspire readers to agree with him that This is a beautiful world. We must all work to save it.
Note: This book has been published to coincide with the opening of "Linus Pauling and the Twentieth Century," an international exhibit sponsored by Soka Gakkai International.
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