The Peace Guidebook

Reviews / Votes

"A beacon of light in this chaotic world. A must-read for modern times."

-Jack Canfield, coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and The Success Principles "Once again, Elizabeth and Katie bring us what we all need, right when we need it, in an actionable and inspiring format. No matter where you are in your journey, this practical guide will help you practice peace and feel less alone while doing it."

-Lizz Schumer, books editor at People Magazine and author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel "This guidebook is a true beacon of wisdom in turbulent times. It reminds us that peace is something we cultivate, moment by moment, within ourselves. Every chapter invites reflection, compassion, and a deeper connection to life. A must-read for anyone ready to live with greater purpose and grace."

-Ken D. Foster, bestselling author, producer of the Voices of Courage and Heal It shows "Peace is a soul centered inside job. Your peace is easy as you read, study, and apply the principles herein."

--Mark Victor Hansen, international bestselling coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series In this self-help book, two experts on personal development highlight ways to practice peace daily.
"Peace is not something we wait for," life coaches Hamilton-Guarino and Eastman point out in the book's introduction, adding that it is instead "something we practice-every day, in every interaction, in every breath." The authors challenge popular misconceptions of peace that relegate it to an abstract ideal, reduce it to passive inaction, or defer its value onto others, and they argue that it begins inside oneself and in one's interactions with family members, colleagues, and communities. Central to the book's convincing premise is that peace starts with compassion ("When you commit to practicing compassion," they write, "you promote peace"), and that actively choosing compassion not only helps bring inner peace, but is also a contribution to global peace movements. As a guidebook, the volume provides pragmatic advice, often in bulleted lists, on how to embrace its central concept, while emphasizing that it requires constant vigilance and patience. A wealth of practical ancillaries includes journaling prompts (included on lined paper throughout the book), real-world exercises to help break an "autopilot cycle" in stressful situations and prompts for group discussions. There are memoiristic vignettes from the authors' own lives, as well as inspirational stories contributed by people they've encountered as life coaches, licensed therapists, and motivational speakers. Hamilton-Guarino, a bestselling author of nearly a dozen works, joins Eastman, whose academic background is in clinical psychology, for this book; the pair, who previously worked together on Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through (2014), are particularly adept at blending a welcoming, personable writing style with a solid understanding of best practices in contemporary psychology and peace theory that's backed by scholarly references.

Although the authors' overall goal of a more peaceful world is admirable, they're also careful to
emphasize that the book "doesn't ask for perfection." Instead, it effectively encourages readers to contribute to this goal-one small change and action at a time.

A practical and engagingly written guidebook to embodying peace in one's daily life.

* <I>Kirkus Reviews</I> * "The Peace Guidebook sets a real-world framework for understanding and actively participating in the aspects of your life that cause the most stress, anxiety, and pain. As a medical oncologist, I am often faced with the most difficult time in a patient's and their family's lives, and what is amazing is seeing in many of these families the ability to approach that challenge withpeace, understanding, inquisition, and compassion. This work will help many faced with similar challenges develop a way to understand and cope with these events, not necessarily changing the outcomes but fundamentally changing the experience."
-Dr. Bently Doonan, MD, MS, medical oncologist, The Mayo Clinic Florida "Having worked with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as an advocate for hospice and palliative care, during South Africa's transition from apartheid, I know the power of courageous leadership rooted in compassion. 'The Arch,' as we affectionately called him, would be so proud that his daughter's foreword to The Peace Guidebook honors and extends his legacy. In a world still shaped by injustice and division, this book offers an essential pathway toward peace. The Peace Guidebook, and helping to generate peace within individuals and communities, is aspirational, inspirational, and essential."

-Joan Marston, executive committee, PallCHASE, Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies "As a full-time emergency physician for twenty-five years, I've seen the healing that comes with those who choose peace or who are blessed with an inner peace. The importance of searching within to achieve true peace and the emphasis on communication and sharing peace is critical. May we all embrace the pathways provided by Elizabeth and Dr. Katie with love and grace!"

-Marcus Riccioni, MD, emergency physician "As a Ukrainian living through war, The Peace Guidebook has given me strength, perspective, and a path toward peace-both personally and professionally."

-Mariya Vynnytska, psychologist, cofounder of The NGO-The Soul" "The Peace Guidebook is an exceptionally valuable resource for anyone who desires not only greater peace, but greater understanding of how to sustain and ever expand that peace in the most extraordinary way."

-Michael McGlone, actor and musician