Architects of Peace: Visions of Hope in Words and Images 
asked by blueoasis on November 15, 2006 11:50 AM
Studying the individual faces and personal essays of these 75 peacemakers we discover a simple truth: making peace is an act of courage. Put them all together in a volume as elegant as this one and a higher truth emerges: making peace is the world's next spiritual calling. Photographer Michael Collopy did an excellent job of bringing forth each of his subject's integrity, grit, and humanity. In the clear and gentle eyes of Vietnam veteran and author Ron Kovic we see the healing that it took to transcend the wounds of the battlefield and write Born on the Fourth of July. Maried Corrigan Maguire lost two nephews and a niece in an IRA and British car chase. Soon after, Maguire's grief-stricken sister committed suicide. As a result she founded Peace People, an organization to end sectarian violence. In her strong jaw and sad eyes we see every woman who has ever turned grief into activism.
Many of the faces are familiar ones--Carlos Santana, Cezar Chavez, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr. Maya Angelou, Coretta Scott King. Yet there are numerous quiet heroes as well. The personal essays are mostly brief (one page) but offer compelling reasons why we all should give peace a chance. --Gail Hudson
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In Architects Of Peace, photographer Michael Collopy set out to document the visions of over seventy of the world's great peacemakers - spiritual leaders, politicians, and artists alike. Architects Of Peace blends art and insights alike in a volume which blends his tritone photos of these people with essays reflecting their beliefs. From Jean-Michael Cousteau and Elie Wiesel to Joan Baez and others, this makes for a fine repersentation of images and tributes to peace.
reviewed by ozone on November 22, 2006 9:43 PM
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While it's great that so many people have been able to focus on those several truly extraordinary people mentioned in this book, the fact that Margaret Thatcher is listed as an 'architect of peace' is like saying Stalin just wanted civil rights for everybody. This is the same woman who turned her back on the vast majority of Britons and was the embodiment of Reaganite self-centeredness. How many people are unaware of her response when asked about rising heating costs for the elderly in Britain: "They have hats, don't they?". Are we to believe she belongs in the same book as Mother Theresa??! What insanity! Her inclusion not only casts credibility on the authors, but undermines the genuine acts of peace that are enacted daily by the extraordinary presences of teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh and others.
There is much good in this book, but to equate some of the most advanced spiritual practitioners with the likes of Thatcher and several movie stars is grossly arrogant, and smacks of only wanting to hob-nob with the rich and famous.
Follow the advice of the lovely comments below and read their recommendations. Just don't buy this one.
reviewed by mountaindew on November 24, 2006 12:23 AM