“The book you hold in your hand makes a powerful new contribution to our understanding of war and peace, and provides us with vital insights into fundamental aspects of human nature. I sincerely believe that the fields of philosophy, anthropology, history, military science, peace studies, and many others, will be able to build upon the concepts set forth in this book in order to help guide our civilization toward a world without war.” LT. COL. DAVE GROSSMAN, author of On Killing and On Combat

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WILL WAR EVER END?
A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century

2009 (Easton Studio Press)

Excerpt from the Foreword by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of On Killing

The book you hold in your hand makes a powerful new contribution to our understanding of war and peace, and provides us with vital insights into fundamental aspects of human nature. I sincerely believe that the fields of philosophy, anthropology, history, military science, peace studies, and many others, will be able to build upon the concepts set forth in this book in order to help guide our civilization toward a world without war.

A bold statement? Perhaps. Read this book and see what you think.

As for me, I was consumed with an admiration verging on awe when I first read this book. Paul K. Chappell’s concepts of fury, rage, and “the pain of hatred” struck me with an almost physical impact. He has transformed my way of thinking about war and peace. And I believe (and hope, and pray) that his powerful logic and lucid insights will continue to contribute to our civilization for generations to come.

My book, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, is currently being used as “required reading” in peace studies programs at Berkeley, and in Mennonite and Quaker colleges. On Killing is also on the US Marine Corps Commandant’s “Required Reading List” and is required reading at the FBI Academy and in courses at West Point. How do you make institutions as diverse as Berkeley, the FBI, the Quakers, the US Army and the Marine Corps happy with the same book? The answer is: you just tell the truth. New truths. Powerful truths. Useful truths.

I freely and willingly take whatever credibility On Killing gives me, and “put it on the line” to commend this book to your attention. For it has provided me with new, powerful, and useful truths. This book has drawn from my work (and that of many others, for mine is but a small contribution) and brought them to a deeper, more useful, and more important level…

There is, indeed, good cause to hope for an end to war. And I believe, with all my heart, that in this book Paul K. Chappell has made a major contribution toward that most worthy and noble endeavor.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (ret.) has served as an Airborne Ranger infantry officer and West Point psychology professor, and is the Director of the Warrior Science Group. He is the author or co-author of several books, including On Killing, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

“Nobel Laureates are generally people who have brought complex and confusing issues to a level of beauty and simplicity. With that same skill, Captain Paul K. Chappell of the U.S. Army has done this in analyzing the insanity of war. We must end this diabolical institution now! His book, Will War Ever End?: A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century gives us the necessary orientation. May God bless his work.”

— BLASE BONPANE, Ph.D., Director of the Office of the Americas, Senior Research Fellow of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, UCLA professor, host of the radio program World Focus on Pacifica Radio (Los Angeles), author of Guerrillas of Peace on the Air and Common Sense for the 21st Century

“I recently read Paul K. Chappell’s book and found it extraordinary in its clarity and insight. It is not often that one comes across a book that is a passionate and reasoned plea for ending war. It is even rarer to find a book like this written by a young soldier…Chappell has written a thoughtful and valuable meditation on the need to end war by waging peace. I recommend it highly to everyone who cares about the future of humanity and other living creatures.”

— DAVID KRIEGER, J.D., Ph.D., author, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility

“It is incumbent on all who endorse the way of nonviolence to become assertive agents of change. One person who has taken up the challenge is Captain Paul K. Chappell, U.S. Army. He has written a remarkable little book based on personal experience and study, Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century. His thesis is compelling, and if generally embraced, could be harbinger of a turn around in human acceptance of war as a given, similar to the turn around in human acceptance of slavery as a given…I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is perfect for book clubs and congregational study groups. It’s a quick read, but profound, and is sure to provoke substantive discussion.”

— REV. DR. ALLISON STOKES, Director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Director of the Interfaith Chapel, University of Rochester

“Will War Ever End?, by Army Captain Paul K. Chappell, is a personal, passionate and deeply informed exploration of war and human nature by a man whose life has been profoundly shaped by militarism. This book represents an important contribution to the literature of war and peace…It’s a powerful piece of writing.”

— JOHN HORGAN, Senior Writer at Scientific American (1986-1997), author of the Undiscovered Mind and Rational Mysticism, Director of the Center for Science Writings at the Stevens Institute of Technology

“The anthropologist Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ This is an idea that finally solidified in my mind while enjoying Captain Paul K. Chappell’s succinct and very important book Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace For The 21st Century…This book is only 84 pages, but it’s the biggest book I’ve read in years. It is the very rare kind of book that surprises and transforms, and leads us gently but completely to a revolution in thinking. It could very likely become required reading.”

— Book Review on Livewriters.com by EMILY KISCHELL

“Captain Paul K. Chappell of the U.S. Army writes a very persuasive book with his Will War Ever End? A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century. Comparing the tolerance of war to the tolerance of slavery, serfdom, and subjugation of women — all of which are now almost universally deemed unacceptable and unthinkable — Chappell argues that through peaceful demonstration to governments and global re-education of people, we can see the end to war in our lifetime. Halleluiah, I’m on board.”

— NINA SANKOVITCH, Readallday.org (full review at http://readallday.org/july1.html)