Portraits of Peace: Searching for Hope in a Divided America

by John Noltner

Frustrated with an increasingly polarized social landscape, award-winning photographer John Noltner set out on a 40,000-mile road trip across the United States to rediscover the common humanity that connects us. He did so by asking people one simple "What does peace mean to you?" Through difficult conversations, gentle humor, and a keen eye for beauty, Noltner's Portraits of Peace captures a rich collage of who we are as a nation. Beautiful storytelling and captivating photography converge to offer a uniquely human and accessible examination of the social issues that most challenge us today, such as racial equality, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, freedom of religion, and tolerance. Through the real-world stories of ordinary citizens who choose, in the midst of difficult circumstances, to pursue healing, reconciliation, and community building, we discover a glimmer of hope that something better is possible. Portraits of Peace offers a promising road map to a peaceful future as a pluralistic society.

201 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Robin Temmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author, John Noltner, at a presentation that I interpreted for. His presentation was great so I decided to purchase and read his book. The book was good the presentation was better.

[Jeff Rennicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

How far would you go to listen to other people? John Noltner has traveled over 40,000 miles coast-to-coast asking people a simple questions "What does peace mean to you?" The stories he uncovers simply be giving people the gift of listening to their stories will change your view of humanity. Yes, we are a divided country but through listening, truly listening, to each other, we can at least take the first few tentative steps back across the bridges that connect us. A former gang member paralyzed in a gun fight at 15 years old, a father whose daughter died in the Oklahoma bombing, Civil Rights icons, shrimp boat captains, and more. Everyone holds wisdom within them if only we learn to listen. This book will help you learn, help you see across divides, and maybe even help you listen to that person next to you and discover what a true gift each of us has to offer.

[India Aubry]

OK...I'll admit I am a little partial. I've met John. We almost got lost in Mexico together on a mission for an interview (his good humor saved the day, or at least my day). But this also allowed me the opportunity to see him doing his work out there in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed Portraits of Peace for its reminder of how much impact we can have, each in our own corner of the world. And I learned so much, too! On the power of welcome; Elaine Baker from Mount Bayou, OH, the oldest self-governing all-Black municipality in the US welcoming John and his wife (self-described "White, Northern Lutherans") into her beloved Baptist church for services. The power of forgiveness; Bud Welch, whose only child died in the bombing that blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in what "is still the largest single act of domestic terrorism our nation has ever seen." After befriending Timothy McVeigh's father, a man whom Bud recognized was also grieving, he began to speak out against the execution of McVeigh and "since that time, Bud has traveled the world working against capital punishment, having realized that he got no relief-he got no sense of peace-from the loss of one more life". The power of creative activism; in Coeur d'Alene, ID, a "town with a troubling history as a hotbed of white supremacist activity", community members organized against the Aryan Nations in an act of creative resistance. When they held a rally, the town organized a pledge drive and counter protest. "When (Richard) Butler and his crew would march, area businesses would donate a set amount for every minute that they marched, and the money would be given to a human rights organization. So the white supremacists has some choices. They could cancel the march and make sure they didn't raise any money for human rights. They could march quickly and raise just a little money. Or they could march slowly and raise a nice big pile of money for groups that would counter their hateful message." These are just a few highlights from Portraits of Peace and wonderful reminders that we are more powerful than we realize and when bad things happen they can also be opportunities for making a positive impact and, ultimately, lasting change. John's book is filled with stories that inspire us with hope. What struck me most was that these were not stories of folks setting out to do something extraordinary, but instead took what was in front them-whatever challenge or opportunity-and alchemized it into something beautiful.

[Elizabeth Gaboriault · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a nice book. I think my favorite story/chapter was 19 - Forgive. I appreciate the author's efforts he went through in compiling this book and all of his experiences along the way. He does admit to being more liberal in his worldview in more than one instance (i.e. tree hugger.) I do take exception to his statement that "wokeness isn't the destination; it is a never-ending process." I do not subscribe to the wokeness ideology as I have seen it create more damage and division than healing and peace. This, I believe, is the fatal flaw in his journey. Humanity isn't just black and white because we are all humans first. We are all capable of terrible evils as well as incredible acts of kindness. Anyone can be racist, anyone can have privilege, anyone can be a supremicist; these human traits/characteristics/behaviors are not ascribed to just one race, gender, ethnicity, or culture. When you do this, when you label people, you deepen the divide and peace becomes more difficult to attain. When I read 29, his liberal worldview was very clear. I kept thinking, what about the American ranchers who have lost their livelihoods, family members, their right to safety, their peace? What about the Angel Mom's who have lost their children to illegal immigrant criminals - where is their peace? What about all the people how have died from drug overdoses because of the illegal drugs pouring over our border? And the wall was his issue? That issue has more than one side and I was disappointed he didn't see the other side. Or decided not to address it. The book started out good, I thought. I teared up at the end of more than one story and felt inspired. But, then the book took a hard left towards the end and I almost didn't finish out of shear disappointment. Peace isn't easy. We are all humans. We all have different experiences. Truth isn't black and white. Wokeness will not lead to peace; it will darken the lines between us and continue to divide us along racial, gender, ethnic, and religious lines (and whatever other lines it will continue to define.) We need more grace and forgiveness. Forgiveness will help pave the way towards peace. God Bless.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

John asks some very simple questions, "If I didn't know anything about you, what would you want me to know?" And then he listens. And then he will say, "tell me more."

He is a self-described middle-aged white guy who is listening and elevating voices of others. In the introduction, he introduces Hashim, who tells his story of growing up in Brooklyn as a gang member who becomes paralyzed. Hashim explains how he found peace and ends with "I want to love those who haven't shown me love. I want to be kind to those who may not have deserved my kindness." John shines the light on people and places and their stories of anger and sorrow and frustration. He honors each person, each story, though they are all very different. He shows that every story has a similar message: we are more alike than not.

As he says: "A Peace of My Mind is not a project about diversity, even though there are elements of diversity present in it. It's not about faith, although there is faith in it. A Peace of My Mind is not about substance abuse, environmental sustainability, domestic violence, immigration, gender identity or politics. It's not even a project about peace. It's simply an exploration of what it means to be human and how we can live better together."

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so many passages marked that I may need to go buy a new set of book darts! I may be partial to promoting this book as I’ve known about John for years and recently saw him speak. What I love about his message and his great storytelling is summed up with: “It’s simply an exploration of what it means to be human and how we can live better together.” His words/interviews give me hope in this polarized world.

“Don’t work against what you hate, work for what you love.”

“I’ve heard it said that we spend the first two years of our lives learning to speak and the rest of our lives learning to listen, but we never quite get it right. We listen in order to respond or refute. We listen so we can debate or debunk. We listen to correct, coerce, or convince. But listening with a simple goal of understanding — that is rare. Imagine how the world could change if we did more of that.”

“I think that’s what has to happen on the planet. I think there have to be opportunity for us to come up with, not a left idea or a right idea. We can’t be in her own little boats rowing around and just avoiding each other. That’s not going to work there’s something there to be mined, to be discovered…”

[Kimberly Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 star book read ⭐️

i had to read this book as it was the hilbert reads book for the incoming freshman class at hilbert college.

this book has a really strong and emotional connection and concept to peace and “what does peace mean to you?”, it was a strong filled book with various perspectives of individuals that share their experiences and relate it back to peace

my only struggle was that some of the stories started to blend together and it became a struggle to get through the big, but i always found myself looking at the pictures of the people that John interviewed almost a suggestion that the portraits he took should have been in the beginning of the chapter.

i also noticed that not everyone that John interviewed included a portrait which was interesting as a reader i wanted to see the portrait of that individual to help build a better connection

overall, this book has deep and thoughtful insight about peace and life in general. this book offers deep insights and thoughts and makes you think about what is around you and what life is really about

“what does peace mean to you?”

[Ellen Behrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

So stunning, I wanted more photos :)

John Noltner set out, sort of accidentally, to interview people about their ideas of peace. The result wasn't this book, it was his book "A Peace of My Mind: Exploring the Meaning of Peace One Story at a Time," published back in 2011. It sounds like a fascinating project, with a resulting book of interviews and photos that cover a range of individuals.

It had its gaps, and Portraits of Peace endeavors to close some of those open spaces. It also provides interesting insight and background into how Noltner's initial project (and this book) came about. I loved reading about people whose lives are very different from my own, and highlighted several spots. He touches on confirmation bias, the distinction between tourists and pilgrims, and many other ideas, but his most central theme is succinctly summarized on page 76: "Everyone doesn't have to agree. We just need to make room for one another."

Ah! If there's a message for this particular point in America, that's it.

I did find myself wishing Noltner had included even more photos. Some interviewees' photos are included while others are not. I realize how much more expensive publication is with photos, but in an ebook adaptation it shouldn't be an issue. Perhaps more images are on a Website, but I didn't see any invitation to view more there. This is too bad, as Noltner's black and white portraits are stunning, and it's a shame to miss any of them.

[Graham D. Bodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say if you want to know a man’s heart, read his book. Okay, maybe I made that up, but knowing John and his amazingly compassionate heart, I am so glad others will be able to share in listening to stories of everyday peacemakers. Portraits of Peace provides amazing examples of how everyday people can make everyday differences in an otherwise divided world. I am proud to count A Peace of My Mind among the hundreds of organizations helping inspire Americans to #ListenFirst and connect across difference. Reading this book is a great way to expand your understanding and would work perfectly as a small group discussion guide.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. Admittedly, I am a huge fan of John's work. I've seen his traveling Exhibit and him speak at conferences multiple times.

In a world that focuses on the things that separate us, Portraits of Peace uses stunning photographic portraits and storytelling to encourage us to rediscover the common humanity that we share.

This book is full of personal wisdom both from John and the people he meets along his journey. I love to open the book randomly to a page and be inspired by a way we can work toward common good and create a world that is more just for all.

[Pearce Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book vividly illustrates the power of personal story, unlocked by a courageous commitment to listen. Infused with timeless and urgent virtues such as curiosity, grace, forgiveness, and humility, the portraits both captivate and challenge us. Each chapter left me asking John Noltner’s favorite question, “tell me more.” The future of our families, communities, and country depends on pursuing the life-giving path of listening, which begins with inspiration. Portraits of Peace is a spark we need now more than ever.

[Lisa Bachman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! John Noltner takes the reader on a journey to discover the true meaning of humanity. During a time when we are all so divided, this is truly a breath of fresh air. Although I just finished it, I plan to go back and read it again with a highlighter. There are so many wonderful nuggets that I want to be able to refer back to that I know will inspire me on difficult days. Don't wait, read this today!

[Wade Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

John's tireless search across America to uncover the ties that bind our humanity at a time when we are so divided leads us through one heart warming story after another. His personal experiences with the people that he meets along the way are sharpened by his keen eye for beauty and his love for good stories that show us we have so much more in common than we know.

[Good Reads Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day to John Noltner and his team! I have no doubt every reader that comes across this book will takeaway a much needed sense of light and hope after engaging and reading wholeheartedly.

[Sharon Wildfang · Rating 5 out of 5]

a compelling read!

[Lcharlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book I was expecting more of a picture/portrait book, however, the stories are what makes this book. I recommend it.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. I wish that there had been more pictures in the book. I enjoyed reading it.

[Dave Schwinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read most of it. I wish the stories had been more diverse and have challenged me to think more.

[Jill McGillicuddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos and a nice distracting read when my brain wants to read bits at a time.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as a personal story of a career/calling. It's really moving to see what the writer does (and the lengths he goes to) to live out his art, ethics, and faith. AND it's kind of an adventure story; you never know who you're going to meet next.

The heart of it is about how we connect across differences, and what the writer learns about that by asking, listening, and reflecting. The chapters build on each other (they're chronological, mostly) but each one stands on its own, too, so any chapter (or the whole book) would be a great starting place for conversation within any group that wants to work on how they handle differences and seeing (across race, politics, economics, gender, sexuality, experience...) within their group or beyond.