Walking in the Way of Peace: Quaker Pacifism in the Seventeenth Century

Rating:
Summary: Walking In The Way of Peace is Illuminating
Review: Impeccably researched, Ms. Weddle's book illuminates the unstudied area of the practice of pacifism, as it was in England, then on board ships to the New World but mostly as the Quaker leaders began to govern the colonies in 17th New England. The Quaker leaders had a huge dilemma as pacifists: on the one hand they faced danger constantly and needed to protect their settlements, on the other hand they had renounced war and fighting as part of their "Peace Testimony". Not unlike today, the leaders were forced into compromises at times while under tremendous pressure to practice their principles. A large focus of the book is King Phillip's War of 1675-1676 between the Indians and English settlers. Ms. Weddle is not only a brilliant scholar but an entertaining storyteller, the book is a feast of captivating stories. History, philosophy, and theology buffs should have this in their libraries, certainly, but any reader with an inquiring mind and a love for good story should read this book. Looking forward to Ms. Weddle's next work. One suggestion: take your time to savor it. A sparkling concatenation of insights will be the reward.