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The Anatomy of Peace
“Open Letter to the American People”, signed by Owen J. Roberts, J.W. Fulbright, Claude Pepper, Elbert D. Thomas, and other dignitaries:
“The first atomic bomb destroyed more than the city of Hiroshima. It also exploded our inherited, outdated political ideas.
“A few days before the force of Nature was tried out for the first time in history, the San Francisco Charter was ratified in Washington. The dream of a League of Nations, after 26 years, was accepted by the Senate.
“How long will the United Nations Charter endure? With luck, a generation? A century? There is no one who does not hope for at least that much luck- for the Charter, for himself, for his work, and for his children’s children. But is it enough to have Peace by Luck? Peace by Law is what the peoples of the world, beginning with our selves, can have if they want it. And now is the time to get it.”
The Anatomy of Peace by Emery Reves, first published in 1945, is a book that expressed the world federalist sentiments shared by Albert Einstein and many others in the late 1940s, in the period immediately following World War II.
Reves argued that world law was the only way to prevent war, and the fledgling United Nations Security Council would be inadequate to preserve peace because it was an instrument of power, rather than an instrument of law.
“I have read THE ANATOMY OF PEACE with the greatest admiration. Your book is, in my opinion, the answer to the present political problems of the world, so drastically precipitated by the release of atomic energy.
“It would be most desirable if every political and scientific leader in every country would take a little time to read this book. If this could be brought about, I feel it might avert the disaster of an atomic world war.”—Letter from Albert Einstein to Emery Reves dated October 29, 1945.
“The first atomic bomb destroyed more than the city of Hiroshima. It also exploded our inherited, outdated political ideas.
“A few days before the force of Nature was tried out for the first time in history, the San Francisco Charter was ratified in Washington. The dream of a League of Nations, after 26 years, was accepted by the Senate.
“How long will the United Nations Charter endure? With luck, a generation? A century? There is no one who does not hope for at least that much luck- for the Charter, for himself, for his work, and for his children’s children. But is it enough to have Peace by Luck? Peace by Law is what the peoples of the world, beginning with our selves, can have if they want it. And now is the time to get it.”
The Anatomy of Peace by Emery Reves, first published in 1945, is a book that expressed the world federalist sentiments shared by Albert Einstein and many others in the late 1940s, in the period immediately following World War II.
Reves argued that world law was the only way to prevent war, and the fledgling United Nations Security Council would be inadequate to preserve peace because it was an instrument of power, rather than an instrument of law.
“I have read THE ANATOMY OF PEACE with the greatest admiration. Your book is, in my opinion, the answer to the present political problems of the world, so drastically precipitated by the release of atomic energy.
“It would be most desirable if every political and scientific leader in every country would take a little time to read this book. If this could be brought about, I feel it might avert the disaster of an atomic world war.”—Letter from Albert Einstein to Emery Reves dated October 29, 1945.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1945
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106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 21, 2021
I recently read a talk called, “The Nature of Peace,” by John A. Widstoe which had a quote that read, “Therefore, men are speaking about peace, and what is going to happen after the war. Books and articles are being published, there is a deluge of written material setting up propositions and proposals relative to the disposition of all mankind and all human affairs after the war is over. I want to say to my brethren here today that these proposals begin at the wrong end, and that they will all fail. Peace upon earth is not to be established by Congress or Parliament, or by a group of international representatives. Peace is not a thing that can be taken on, then taken off again, as we do a piece of clothing. Peace is quite different from that. Peace cannot be legislated into existence. It is not the way to lasting peace upon earth.”
I completely agree with John A. Widstoe’s thoughts on peace. I am of the belief that peace comes from one source, and that what the individual can do about spreading peace has everything to do with the virtues one chooses daily to live by.
This book was not what I expected, and I think that like Widstoe says, it begins at the wrong end. This book has a highly political approach to peace. While I think that the author is intelligent and has some good thoughts and ideas in some respects, I think that the true solution is completely overlooked. The author’s solution of a sort of world government to step in and govern to ensure peace in the world is not one that I necessarily with, nor one that I think the average citizen has any control or influence over. It just feels like a shallow answer to a problem that I think rests far more at home and within one’s own heart.
I completely agree with John A. Widstoe’s thoughts on peace. I am of the belief that peace comes from one source, and that what the individual can do about spreading peace has everything to do with the virtues one chooses daily to live by.
This book was not what I expected, and I think that like Widstoe says, it begins at the wrong end. This book has a highly political approach to peace. While I think that the author is intelligent and has some good thoughts and ideas in some respects, I think that the true solution is completely overlooked. The author’s solution of a sort of world government to step in and govern to ensure peace in the world is not one that I necessarily with, nor one that I think the average citizen has any control or influence over. It just feels like a shallow answer to a problem that I think rests far more at home and within one’s own heart.
June 1, 2017
Just remarkable. Written in 1946, it lays out a rational discussion of why human kind must rise above the nation state and claim citizenship in a global government of and for the people. Only by limiting the existing nation states can we obtain the peace and freedom we need to prosper. He is a historian - he takes us from tribal groups, to the medieval world of individual fiefdoms, to the freedom we gained by forming nation states. The next logical step is a true global government, of and by ALL peoples.
He is pretty clear that if we cannot find the will to do this, democracy as we know it will descend again into tyranny. Winston Churchill and Einstein saw this and praised this book. We have not moved very far along this path! Even the EU was a poor model, but a step in the right direction!
He does not give any simple means to achieve this. Considering how long it took us to surmount feudalism, we may be at this for a while - assuming we do make it! It would be helpful if even ONE world leader seemed to grasp this! Can you be that one? I'm counting on you!
He is pretty clear that if we cannot find the will to do this, democracy as we know it will descend again into tyranny. Winston Churchill and Einstein saw this and praised this book. We have not moved very far along this path! Even the EU was a poor model, but a step in the right direction!
He does not give any simple means to achieve this. Considering how long it took us to surmount feudalism, we may be at this for a while - assuming we do make it! It would be helpful if even ONE world leader seemed to grasp this! Can you be that one? I'm counting on you!
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April 8, 2009A fascinating read after forty years of increasingly tumultuous world events. I'll wait until I'm finished to give my full opinion, but already his condemnation of nationalism and the failure of any of the major world religions to restrain base human nature has made me look again at our intents in the Middle East, the attacks in Mumbai, the formulation of the EU... thought-provoking in the best possible way.
November 27, 2024
Great perspectives on WW1-WW2 from multiple angles
Though when near the end of WW2 (with and afterword update on the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki), insights on how a second WW occurred so soon after the first. From all perspectives of the nations involved. Treaties don't prevent wars without international sovereignty in law with international enforcement. He explains how the League of Nations failed as well as how the UN/UNO (as it stood in 1945) are not sufficient to ensure peace, including the impact of atomic weapons.
There will be depots, warlords, and misguided revolutions, but with sufficient laws and enforcement, a general peace is possible ... and necessary.
Though when near the end of WW2 (with and afterword update on the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki), insights on how a second WW occurred so soon after the first. From all perspectives of the nations involved. Treaties don't prevent wars without international sovereignty in law with international enforcement. He explains how the League of Nations failed as well as how the UN/UNO (as it stood in 1945) are not sufficient to ensure peace, including the impact of atomic weapons.
There will be depots, warlords, and misguided revolutions, but with sufficient laws and enforcement, a general peace is possible ... and necessary.
July 5, 2023
I enjoyed the historical perspective on sovereign nation-states and why they will never lead to a lasting peace for humanity. A must read for anyone who wants to understand why there will be wars and rumors of wars for eternity, unless certain conditions change.
November 6, 2020
Exceptional.
March 24, 2022
Was this book written yesterday or 100 years ago
It can be a bit academic in places ....but wow a great read and a great understanding of achieving real and true global peace
It can be a bit academic in places ....but wow a great read and a great understanding of achieving real and true global peace
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews