"Akst argues that the modern progressive movement, wide-ranging in its causes and narratives today, has origins in the pacifist response to American involvement in World War II... At its best, one gets the sense of generative force born from such intense intellectual, moral and religious pressure." — The Washington Post

Pacifists who fought against the Second World War faced insurmountable odds—but their resistance,...

"In this provocative and deeply researched work of history, Akst takes readers into the wild, heady, and uncertain times of America on the brink of a world war, following four fascinating resisters--four figures who would subsequently become famous political thinkers and activists--and their daring exploits: David Dellinger, Dorothy Day, Dwight MacDonald, and Bayard Rustin. The lives of these diverse anti-war advocates--a principled and passionate...

"Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born at a time when his home country was choked under the oppression of British rule. Many thought that violence was the only way to fight back, but Gandhi disagreed. Instead, he successfully used his teachings of non-violence and civil disobedience to win his country's freedom, and to promote his philosophy of peace and equality. In this biography for kids ages 8-12, see how Gandhi--called Mahatma, or 'great soul,'...

The creation of Greenpeace is probably the most exciting and heroic environmental adventure of the 20th century. Although powerful now, at the start it was just a small group of hippies, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world. Through unpublished archive footage and interviews with Greenpeace's founders, this extraordinary documentary takes an in-depth, first hand look into the organization that has become synonymous with the ecological...

Mahatma Gandhi was the celebrated leader of the Indian independence movement, and an inspiration for many similar movements around the world. Gandhi began his push for nonviolent civil disobedience as an expatriate lawyer in South Africa, eventually bringing the practice to India where he led the Indian National Congress. He is referred to as the Father of the Nation, and remains a symbol of freedom and nonviolence to this day.--

"Tells the true story of Peace Pilgrim, a female activist and spiritual leader who sacrificed everything to travel by foot around America promoting peace"--

As a teenager in Palestine, Sami al Jundi had one ambition: overthrowing Israeli occupation. With two friends, he began to build a bomb to use against the police. But when it exploded prematurely, killing one of his friends, al Jundi was caught and sentenced to ten years in prison. It was in an Israeli jail that his unlikely transformation began. Al Jundi was welcomed into a highly organized, democratic community of political prisoners who required...

At Grandfather Gandhi's service village, each day is filled, from sunrise to sunset, with work that is done for the good of all. The villagers vow to live simply and non-violently. Arun Gandhi tries very hard to follow these vows, but he struggles with one of the most important rules: not to waste. How can throwing away a worn-down pencil hurt anyone? How can wastefulness lead to violence? With the help of his grandfather, Arun learns how every wasteful...

When someone is willing to disturb the status quo and stand for the dream of a free and secure world, who will stand with them? Follow former enemy combatants, many of whom served years in prison, who have joined together to challenge the status quo and say enough. The film reveals their transformational journeys from soldiers committed to armed battle to nonviolent peace activists, leading to the creation of Combatants for Peace.