Film Review

The Day After Peace

Review by George Payne

The Day After Peace chronicles the extraordinary 10-year journey of filmmaker and nonviolence activist Jeremy Gilley to establish an Internationally recognized global ceasefire day on September 21.
This inspirational film features political leaders (Kofi Annan), spiritual teachers (The Dalai Lama), and celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Jude Law. But what I appreciate most about this film is the way it unabashedly confronts people’s cynicism about ending war while still inspiring all of us to become active peacemakers in our daily lives.
The Day After Peace is an excellent classroom resource for discussing international conflicts, the history and purpose of the United Nations, and the power of the individual to overcome hatred and intolerance on a global scale.

The Search for a Nonviolent Future

Review by Kit Miller

This book was one of the earliest ones I read on the hope and possibility represented by nonviolence. Michael Nagler is a gifted storyteller as well as teacher who founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at UC Berkeley. He shares the unfolding story of nonviolence as it has played out across the globe over the course of the 20^th century. Michael is a proponent of principled nonviolence and makes the argument for a nonviolent lifestyle very well indeed. I have recommended this book many times as a great place for people to start their nonviolence learning journey.

Long Walk to Freedom

Review by Shannon Richmond

The way in which South Africa transitioned from apartheid to democracy is a model of how strategic nonviolence can work on the national level. This book of Mandela’s stories about his childhood to his first involvement with the African National Congress to his imprisonment on Robben Island where he began writing this autobiography is one of my favorite books for digesting the rich history of South Africa in the twentieth century. The details of Mandela’s and other activists’ choices during this movement can act as a guide for today’s peace-builders.

After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance

Review by Shannon Richmond

Combining beautiful charcoal portraits of peace activists with short descriptions of the movements which they supported, this book is easy to enjoy in small delicious bites, whether you are a youth or adult. Including the Civil Rights Movement, the Antiapartheid Movement, and the Aboriginal Rights Movement among others, this is a great book to read to or with a young person in your life. Another favorite feature of mine is the selected quotations from each peace leader: encouraging and uplifting. Great gift for younger readers!

Active Hope – How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy – Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone

Review by Jason Olshefsky

For those drawn by the allure of the title, “Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy”, feel confident that the book delivers on its promise. The journey is not easy, but this acts as a remarkable guide. Frequently I would be thinking, “this makes me feel so …” and before I could finish the thought, there it was in print; it’s so strange how this journey can be so individual, yet each one of us comes across familiar mile posts. I do recommend reading it with another person or a reading group and taking the time to complete the numerous exercises throughout, especially when you think you know its outcome.