A Force More Powerful
A Century of Non-violent Conflict
Published on 1. September 2000
Book
Hardback
560 pages
978-0-312-22864-4 (ISBN)
Description
In this volume, Peter Ackerman, an authority on non-violent strategy, and Jack DuVall, a veteran writer, show how popular movements used non-violent action to overthrow dictators, obstruct military invaders and secure human rights in country after country, over the past century. A cavalcade of far-flung locations and history-changing crises, the book depicts how non-violent sanctions such as protests, strikes and boycotts separate brutal regimes from their means of control. It tells inside stories - how Danes out-manoeuvered the Nazis, Solidarity defeated Polish communism, and mass action removed a Chilean dictator. It also shows how non-violent power is changing the world today, from Burma to Serbia. Covering characters such as Leo Tolstoy and Mohandas Gandhi, Lech Walesa and the mothers of the disappeared in Argentina, the book is a companion to a feature-length documentary showing at film festivals worldwide.
Reviews / Votes
'This thoroughly researched and highly readable book underlines the contrast between stable democratic societies created by non-violent movements and tyrannical regimes born of violent revolution. Recommended for public and academic libraries.' - Duncan Stewart, Library Journal '...an important documentation of non-violence as an attested historical force.' - F. Abiola Irele, Times Higher Educational Supplement 'There is undeniable power in images of unarmed citizens marching bravely toward policemen and soldiers, knowing they could be arrested, beaten and even killed.' - New York Times 'an important, carefully made, and fascinating documentary.' - Christian Science Monitor 'A skilful blend of sweeping narrative and tightly focused case studies...splendid' - Philadelphia Inquirer 'Ackerman and DuVall deliver a compelling argument for the efficacy of nonviolent resistance to tyranny. I recommend their book to anyone who believes that power only flows from the barrel of a gun.' - John McCain, US Senator 'informative and absorbing' - Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 'There is much to applaud here. The book is suffused with enthusiasm and contains a mass of infomation. Surely there is something here for everyone.' - Martyn Housden, History journalMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
illustrations maps, portraits
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 42 mm
Weight
946 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-312-22864-4 (9780312228644)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2025
St. Martin's Press
€22.46
Available for download
Persons
PETER ACKERMAN, writer and television producer, and scholar of International Relations. JACK DUVALL, writer and television producer, and former political speechwriter and intelligence officer.
Content
PART I: MOVEMENT TO POWER Russia, 1905: The People Strike India: Movement for Self-Rule Poland: Power from Solidarity PART II: RESISTANCE TO TERROR The Ruhrkampf, 1923: Resisting Invaders Denmark, the Netherlands, the Rosenstrasse: Resisting the Nazis El Salvador, 1944: Removing the General Argentina and Chile: Resisting Repression PART III: CAMPAIGNS FOR RIGHTS The American South: Campaign for Civil Rights South Africa: Campaign against Apartheid The Philippines: Restoring Democracy The Intifada: Campaign for a Homeland China, Eastern Europe, Mongolia: The Democratic Tide PART IV: VIOLENCE AND POWER The Mythology of Violence The New World of Power Victory without Violence