The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace

I am only half way through right now. But this book is really helping me to see the heart of conflict resolution and peace building.I am naturally a very emotional person, but all during my undergrad I had to put on a very serious/fact finding hat to get through. Now during my graduate studies of Peace and Conflict Resolution I was having a hard time adjusting. Words like "love", "harmony", and "imagination" were really throwing me off.I am reading this book for my class and it is really helping me to put my heart and imagination into what I am learning which is helping me to internalize what I am learning. After all, I believe that to want to resolve the conflict of others, you have to have a little love and imagination in your heart.This book puts the heart back into peace building. It reminds us that it is ok to use your heart and intuition in your work. Everything is not always about technical methods and theories.A hooked reader.

"John Paul Lederach, a theorist of great insight who also happens to be a practitioner of high skill, brings us deep into his own process of learning . . . "So said the well-known author William UryIn The Moral Imagination I learned to look for the important web of relationships that lies hidden behind the violence of a conflict. Such webs contain spaces that may become starting places for reconciliation. Even before violence abates, in such spaces a peace-builder can get started.A skilled and engaging storyteller, Mr. Lederach offers instances from his own experience to illustrate the theories he lays out. For example, he tells how mothers, wives, and daughters built peace in a formerly violent marketplace where all parties needed to shop for necessities.In the arena of workplace reconciliation where I work, Mr. Lederach has helped me assign meaning to much I have observed but not always recognized as important.

This is a very creative reflection on many experiences of trying to reconstruct peace in situations of hatred and long-standing misunderstandings and enmities. Its unique flair is being able to integrate abstract theory with intuitive solutions that respect diversity of place and culture. While respecting best practice it is very open to imagination, art and spirituality. What strikes me most however is the author's immense respect for human dignity, and his willingness to engage very diverse outlooks and conflictual situations with a belief that compromise and some healing is always possiible.

This book is a masterpiece. While building peace in divided communities one must always capitalize on the smallest unexpected action/speech or thing that suddenly transform the whole conflict dynamic: serendipity. A must-read for any person in the field of peace studies, but also to any person willing to understand the heart and soul of building peace from a seasoned and well accomplished practitioner.

I am currently getting my Masters degree in International Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies, and this book has served as a text book in almost all my courses. It's easy to read, but not lacking in depth. John Paul Lederach has a way of writing that truly moves and inspires his readers. This is definitely my favorite of his works. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in peace making and conflict transformation.

Excellent book! Organizations/schools are increasing using as core literature, and has become common reference for my work in peacebuilding.I would also recommend for anyone... easy to understand and follow for people without any background in conflict resolution. For anyone studying or working in conflict resolution or peacebuilding, however, The Moral Imagination is a must read!

I felt like this book gave an optimistic look into conflict mediation without being overtly religious or spiritual in nature. However, the overall tone seemed a little pretentious and sometimes detracted from the truths communicated by Lederach.

Amazing book! Had to read it for a Master's class and I want everyone to read it. It gives a broad perspective of the world's struggles for peace among violence and provides hope for change in a myriad of ways.

John Paul Lederach's Moral Imagination is a fantastic read and guide on how to deal with conflict on a very human level using - that which is available to us all - morals and imagination. An excellent read for those involved in conflict resolution in any way. It also goes beyond conventional ways of dealing with conflict. The story of the two tribes and the young man speaking to the leader of the opossing tribe - 'I call you Father' really resonated with me and showed how to speak to our adversaries in a respectful moral and gentle manner. Also the story of the women in the market place shows how one very small group and gesture can change a whole countries view.... The moral imagination in brilliant!Paula Juliet

Excellent condition as promised.

Inspiring

Great book, very helpful

Great