People Power: A Look at Nonviolent Action and Defense

Vivid photographs and factual accounts of nonviolent acts, such as the demonstration of the disabled, are presented to the young readers in order to demonstrate that changes have been successfully made through nonviolent methods of protest.

Grade 8 Up?Terkel describes a variety of events and movements in 20th-century history that have been fundamentally impacted by the use of nonviolent resistance and defense techniques. She focuses on Gandhi's protests against British control in India and the South African discrimination against Indians, as well as on the American civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. She also cites recent successful protests at Galludet University against hiring a non-deaf president and a demonstration in Denver by disabled citizens who were unable to ride the city buses. The author carefully distinguishes between "practical nonviolence" (which emphasizes tactics) and "principled nonviolence" (which emphasizes philosophy). The book's particular strength lies in its critical approach; it shows the limits of nonviolence as strategy when one's adversary is immoral and oppressive. In addition, Terkel analyzes unsuccessful nonviolent protests where demonstrators protested too long or gave up too quickly. She also discusses how "evil causes" can utilize nonviolent techniques. Well-chosen black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. A thought-provoking, informative over-view of a controversial and complex subject.?Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this well-crafted introductory guide, subtitled ``A Look at Nonviolent Action and Defense,'' Terkel (Colonial American Medicine, 1993, etc.) takes on the loaded issue of ``people power,'' or nonviolent protest. She examines each of the component parts of nonviolent action in a sober manner, maintaining a sympathetic, scholarly tone. Readers learn that through psychological, social, economic, and political means, advocates throughout history have improved the rights of women, migrant workers, gays, and the physically challenged, enduring hardship without drawing the blood of their opponents. This mature examination leaves no vision of love beads glittering before readers' eyes. Terkel is careful to stress that while high-flying ideals may anchor protest actions or sanctions, activists must measure their strategy and timing carefully, lest they fail because of too little press coverage, bad timing, or excessive zeal. While the author may be a bit liberal in her use of the quotations of famous pacifists, she wrestles with questions- -e.g., where does civil disobedience end and terrorism begin?--that provide readers with plenty to think about. The book is easy to understand but not simplistic; straightforward without being cynical; informative and, yes, inspiring. (b&w photos, not seen, notes, glossary, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 7^-12. Nonviolent action--what it is, how to use it, when it works, when it fails--is the subject of this argumentative discussion. The writing is undistinguished, and the organization is haphazard, with lots of repetition; in fact, the chapter and section divisions seem arbitrary; this is really one long chatty essay. The drama is in the examples, and readers will be caught up by the stories and occasional photos of the confrontations, from the actions of historical figures such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King to the protests of contemporary groups against the slaughter of whales. There are inspiring success stories--such as the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the overthrow of apartheid--and Terkel calls on readers to take a stand for their beliefs. However, she is careful to point out on almost every page that there is no surefire formula for success or even for judging whether you're right. Chapter notes will help readers find out more; meanwhile, this is a good start for personal reading and group discussion about nonviolent protest. Hazel Rochman