Anatomy of Peace

by Emery Reves

L'anatomia della pace fu pubblicato nel giugno del 1945, un mese dopo la fine della seconda guerra mondiale in Europa e poche settimane prima che la bomba atomica fosse sganciata su Hiroshima. L'esplosione nucleare rafforzò le tesi di Reves, rendendo ancora più urgente la creazione di un governo mondiale come unico mezzo per abolire la guerra.
Appena dopo la sua pubblicazione, Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann ed altre diciotto personalità scrissero una lettera aperta per invitare tutti i cittadini americani a leggere l'Anatomia della pace. La sua fortuna fu immediata: venne tradotto in venti lingue, venduto il oltre mezzo milione di copie e discusso in ventitremila dibattiti promossi dalle organizzazioni più disparate. Oggi, di fronte ai rischi di una catastrofe ecologica e di una incontenibile esplosione del nazionalismo, il messaggio di Emery Reves ha riacquistato una particolare attualità e va attentamente meditato prima che sia troppo tardi.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History

Textbook Binding

First published January 1, 1945

Reviews

[Skye Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Carl Scheider · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Katy]

A 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.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Eugene Caudill · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional.

[Jonathan E Furda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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