Peace between Arabs and Jews seems forever out of reach; both sides caught in a never-ending cycle of violence and revenge. But while treaties and other top-down solutions have had little lasting effect; peacemakers on the ground are creating real change-within themselves and with their enemies.In Bridges across an Impossible Divide; American professor Marc Gopin offers an unprecedented exploration of the spiritual lives of Arab and Jewish peacemakers who have evolved deep friendships despite decades of war and suffering on all sides. Through trial and error the peacemakers in this book have devised their own unique methods of looking inward and reaching out across enemy lines. Gopin provides insightful analysis of the lessons to be learned from these peace builders; outlining the characteristics that make them successful. He argues that lasting conflict and misery between enemies is the result of an emotional; cognitive; and ethical failure to self-examine; and that the true transformation of a troubled society is brought about by the spiritual introspection of extraordinary; determined individuals.The book is unique in that its central body is the actual words of peacemakers themselves as they speak of their struggles to overcome the death of loved ones and to find common ground with adversaries. Most of these accounts are from peacemakers who have hardly written before. This is a treasure trove for scholars and the general public who seek to understand the conflict and its peacemakers at a far deeper level. These remarkable stories reveal a level of inner examination that is rarely encountered in the literature of political science; international relations; or even conflict resolution theory. They show how building friendships invigorates the effort to bring equality; nonviolent social change; and reconciliation to warring peoples.Bridges across an Impossible Divide takes readers beyond the rhetoric of political leaders into the spiritual lives of men and women actually making peace with their enemies.
#961398 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 2011-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x .70 x 9.10l; .90 #File Name: 0199844771288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very informative about the situation of religion and politics in GuatemalaBy Maureen FiedlerGreat book... Gives vital information about the period of Rios Montt in Guatemala... very scholarly and careful in its analysis.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. new groundBy publicheroThe author writes with a keen grasp of the facts of Guatemala's civil war; but more than that she shows great insight into the social; psychological and political aspects of the conflict. She has covered ground which no other writer on this subject has covered or tried to cover. For these reasons the book is perhaps better suited to scholars of the conflict than lay persons.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Essential Primer on RÃos Montt Years in GuatemalaBy J. SimonProfessor Garrard-Burnett's book on Guatemalan dictator Brig. Gen. EfraÃn RÃos Montt; who ruled Guatemala from 1982-1983; is an essential read for anyone who wishes to understand the chronology and complexities of Guatemala's internal war; which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Guatemalans. Professor Garrard's account of RÃos Montt's reign of terror explains the synergy between the Protestant church and the military both clearly and thoroughly.Refreshingly; Professor Garrard does not yield to ideological screed or agit-prop; instead she draws on hundreds of examples; both anecdotal and scholarly; to make her point.This one is worth the money.
