Non-Violence - Mark Kurlansky

This is by far one of the greatest books I've read in a long time. The way history is plagued with violence is really sickening and this book sheds a light on so many of those incidents, how leader and politicians have used everything in their power from money, charisma, fear, and brutal force to lead people of wars that are deemed to be "just". The way wars are waged under the banner of all that is right and holy is frightening. There is no justification for violence or brutality and no good could come from it. War only leads to more war and more hatred. It is the justifications that are used for these wars that breed hatred in our hearts and in our minds. The thoughts of a common enemy, a common demon, instills our lives with constant fear and loathing that can only be quenched by violence, the destruction of that common demon.

History repeats itself but it must be stopped. I refuse to believe that human kind is by nature evil, immoral and violent. The institutions around us, be it government, society, culture, or religion, that twist the facts and use us to accomplish their selfish goals. It is by practicing this idea of non-violence that violence can be overcome.A dangerous idea it is indeed

I highly recommend this book. Give it a read. You won't regret it.