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The Future of Peace: On the Front Lines with the World's Great Peacemakers
"From some of the most horrendous chapters in human history," writes Scott A. Hunt, "these great leaders have emerged to show us a different path, proving not only that the cessation of war is possible, but that the removal of hatred and violence from our hearts is possible as well . . . they show us that the promise of peace remains intact. It is to these people that we can turn in order to replenish our encouragement, hope, and inspiration." What does it mean to fight for peace today? We all want lasting peace. But is it really possible, and how do we achieve it? Defying military intelligence officers in Burma, secret police in Vietnam, and combatants in the Occupied Territories of Palestine, Scott Hunt spent three years traveling across the globe -- often under arduous conditions -- to seek out the wisdom of the world's leading peacemakers. In intimate conversations with these remarkable leaders, recounting histories that are not taught in school and uncovering important lessons that are often brushed aside, Hunt skillfully coaxes out staggering stories, including those of Burma's legendary pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Tibet's moral authority the Dalai Lama, Vietnam's leading dissident Thich Quang Do, famed primate specialist and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall, Cambodia's Supreme Patriarch Maha Ghosananda, Costa Rica's Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias, and other great leaders who have battled to end the brutality against the people and causes they cherish. This extraordinary investigation offers far-ranging insights and invaluable lessons, changing the way we think about the world and our responsibility toward one another. These heroic figures are unwilling to accept that our lives must consist of the tragedy of unremitting conflict and warfare. They explain not only the basis of the conflicts they are working to resolve, but what inspires them to stay resolute in their commitment to peace. Engaging, uplifting, and at times unexpectedly humorous, The Future of Peace conveys both a message of hope and a call to action, revealing what it means to hold an unwavering vision of compassion, to be a leader, and to preserve peace in our own day-to-day lives.
- GenresNonfiction
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 11, 2009
If I could personally hand a copy of this book to everyone I've ever known and demand that they read it, I would.
Scott Hunt travels around the world and talks with the peace leaders of several countries that have had horrible internal and external conflicts in recent decades. Some of these ares are not places the US media is in the habit of covering.
He speaks with Aung San Su Kyi from Burma, who has been under house arrest for nearly 20 years. She has an amazing positive outlook and sees her house arrest as just one of the tasks she must do as part of her work. On her peaceful nature and how it is cultivated she stated, "If you are haunted by any kind of fears, then certainly you cannot say you're at peace, even if your surroundings are peaceful."
He talks with the Dalai Lama who reiterates his respect for all religions, "Buddhists do not own the universal truths; we can only offer the results of a very long reflection."
The Isreali peace activist Uri Avnery calls for a change in the perception that , "Those who think there can be peace are called crazy, naive, stupid..."
The Vietnamese peace activist Thich Quang Do discusses with Hunt how western values change a culture, but don't necessarily bring peace. Hunt: "There are karaoke bars, modern discos, many shops; lots of people have motorcycles and drive around looking quite happy." Quang Do: "That is not freedom! That is not real freedom. Freedom is the ability to openly express one's ideals openly without being controlled."
The Costa Rican ex-president Oscar Arias calls for a disarming of the world. He says people who can't envision a world without violence, "abandoned the vision of humanity in which spiritual and ethical considerations are finally elevated above selfish desires."
There are more interviews, and an amazing amount of insight. The one thing that all the interviewees independently agree on is that peace is not the absence of violence. It is an active state of mind that doesn't allow violence to create fear and domination.
Scott Hunt travels around the world and talks with the peace leaders of several countries that have had horrible internal and external conflicts in recent decades. Some of these ares are not places the US media is in the habit of covering.
He speaks with Aung San Su Kyi from Burma, who has been under house arrest for nearly 20 years. She has an amazing positive outlook and sees her house arrest as just one of the tasks she must do as part of her work. On her peaceful nature and how it is cultivated she stated, "If you are haunted by any kind of fears, then certainly you cannot say you're at peace, even if your surroundings are peaceful."
He talks with the Dalai Lama who reiterates his respect for all religions, "Buddhists do not own the universal truths; we can only offer the results of a very long reflection."
The Isreali peace activist Uri Avnery calls for a change in the perception that , "Those who think there can be peace are called crazy, naive, stupid..."
The Vietnamese peace activist Thich Quang Do discusses with Hunt how western values change a culture, but don't necessarily bring peace. Hunt: "There are karaoke bars, modern discos, many shops; lots of people have motorcycles and drive around looking quite happy." Quang Do: "That is not freedom! That is not real freedom. Freedom is the ability to openly express one's ideals openly without being controlled."
The Costa Rican ex-president Oscar Arias calls for a disarming of the world. He says people who can't envision a world without violence, "abandoned the vision of humanity in which spiritual and ethical considerations are finally elevated above selfish desires."
There are more interviews, and an amazing amount of insight. The one thing that all the interviewees independently agree on is that peace is not the absence of violence. It is an active state of mind that doesn't allow violence to create fear and domination.
August 17, 2009
This book provides a broad range of views and situations from around the world. Discussions of combating political corruption and intervention, religious persecution, nature's rights and genocide are inspiring with in depth personal perspective and stories of triumph that brings the terrible situations in our recent world history home deeper than any news article could ever approach. The geographic diversity of the stories also shows the broad reach of evil. Although this book is depressing and on such a scale as to seem outside of our realm of affect, it reminds me to be mindful of my own life and the decisions I make and why. Big things start small.
February 8, 2009
Great read. The guys got brass balls for sneaking into see Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma. I have been to Burma, and it is not a place where you want to go pissing off the government.
The book covers a lot of ground and ideas on peace, but moves quickly. A enjoyable read.
The book covers a lot of ground and ideas on peace, but moves quickly. A enjoyable read.
March 30, 2023
I was able to read some of this book and it has great insights and messages.
February 18, 2018
Scott A. Hunt travels across the globe, some parts being of the most conflicted regions, to speak with peacemakers as he questions a world filled with issues. Among them: Aung San Suu Kyi, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Perspectives from Israel and Palestine, Thich Quang Do, Oscar Arias, Maha Ghosananda, and Jane Goodall. With a wonderful forward by Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and an excellent introduction to help you settle into what can be expected from these powerful interviews.
December 14, 2010
Terrific interviews and reflections with peace builders around the world. Inspiring and encouraging.
December 2, 2023
Inspiring and encouraging.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews