Is Peace Possible?

by Kathleen Lonsdale, Maria Popova (foreword)

A Quaker scientist discusses problems of peace, freedom and justice in an era of expanding world population and technical development.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, DBE FRS (née Yardley, 28 January 1903 – 1 April 1971) was a British crystallographer, who finally proved that the benzene ring was flat by X-ray diffraction methods in 1929. She was the first to use Fourier spectral methods while solving the structure of hexachlorobenzene in 1931. During her career she attained a number of firsts for a woman scientist, including one of the first two women elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1945 (along with Marjory Stephenson), first woman tenured professor at University College London, first woman president of the International Union of Crystallography, and first woman president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

Reviews

[Marta]

Leaving this one without rating for now.
I don’t identify with any religious denominations and I am sceptical of pacifist ideas, but it is important for me to be exposed to ideas very different from my own which is what this book was. Whether you do believe total global disarmament is possible or you don’t, it’s a worthy read to challenge your thinking about certain things. Originally written in 1956, this is shockingly contemporary.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I see no hope whatever for a world that still regards war as a tool if used in a good cause, and not as a crime if used in any cause whatever."

Originally published in 1957, this book still has a very relevant perspective on war and peace. Kathleen Lonsdale was a Quaker, and while occasionally her perspective comes from a heavily Empire-centric place, more often it is a clear-eyed one on her understanding of the calamitous path humanity is heading down while nations continue to build up nuclear weapons and see war and national defence as valid areas for development and investment.
I am inspired and provoked by her dedication to the principles and practices of non-violence, and her total commitment to a world at peace is a hopeful challenge.

[Cameron Blanden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though written in 1957, Is Peace Possible? asks many questions that even today are yet to be universally answered.

In a modern world where the international rule of law is becoming increasingly eroded and bypassed by leading countries; nuclear rearmament looming; defence spending rising; and the potential development of artificial super-intelligence that will likely pave the way for the obsolescence of humanity.

One must ask oneself… Is Peace Possible? Potentially naïve, hopelessly idealistic, yet surprisingly grounded and rational. Lonsdale presents insightful commentary and a strong argument for pacifism that must be heard and considered. Though, as history has shown, will often be ignored.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this a surprisingly engaging read, considering how painfully ignorant I am of most of the topics covered.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 15 is essential reading. Both to understand thee Society of Friends, and the current conundrum which is our violent world.

[Jordan Galeles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and endlessly fascinating book, I feel like all students should read this, at the very least to consider ideas that may be contrary to beliefs they currently may hold.

I felt encouraged to explore, to consider, to rebut, to challenge in ways that many books don’t offer.

This book satisfied the gap that I perceived in The Serviceberry, in that it proposed solutions to the problems it highlighted.