Essays

by A.J. Muste

A. J. Muste (1885-1967) was one of the leading nonviolent social activists of his time. Starting as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, he became a socialist, a labor union activist, and a pacifist, committing himself to war resistance, civil rights, civil liberties, and disarmament. The twenty-eight essays in this volume are presented as written during the many decades of A.J. Muste’s activism. “Sketches for an Autobiography” eloquently describes his life as a radical pacifist, political organizer, minister and pragmatic philosopher. There are entertaining and historically important accounts of his work with other civil rights, antiwar, and labor leaders and of his international travels to promote peace. The essays paint a clear picture of how Mr. Muste and the pacifist left became the “glue” that held so many, often disparate, factions together during many years of progressive organizing in the United States. His political analyses make an excellent foundation for both studying and building effective movements for peace and social justice. Published by the A. J. Muste Memorial Institute. Edited by Nat Hentoff, with a preface by Jo Ann O. Robertson.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

About the author

Abraham Johannes Muste (sometimes credited as Abraham John Muste) was born in the Netherlands in 1885 and came to America at age six years. Grew up in Michigan. Ordained a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in 1909. Graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1913. A pacifist, he opposed U.S. entry into both world wars. Director of Brookwood Labor College in Massachusetts during the 1920s. Later executive director of the F.O.R. (Fellowship of Reconciliation). Had a long history of activism and leadership in progressive Christian and labor causes, civil rights, and war resistance. A strong proponent of nonviolent direct action. Died in 1967.