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Rating: 
Summary: Groundbreaking research
Review: I've worked and taught in the field of peacebuilding for 25 years and consider this book the single most important research that has been done in the field. Varshney breaks new ground in conducting indepth research into why some cities in India into fell into violence and some did not during times of high national tension. He presents clear and extremely useful findings about what is useful and what is not useful in resisting violence. Specifically, his research shows that creating structures that bring people together to work for a common cause or benefit(such as Hindu-Muslim traders cooperatives, joint community development committees, peace committees, etc.) has a marked effect in reducing violence. I present Varshney's findings in a variety of settings worldwide and find audiences always highly responsive. My students love the book and find Varshney's ideas so clear and insightful that the often refer back to him later. This book in my view is an example of scholarship at its best: well-designed, provocative, clear in its conclusions. On top of that is it unusually lucid in writing style. I consider it a "classic" - a book that will endure for many years and that deserves to be on the shelf of any serious student of ethnic or religious violence. You can read the first and last few chapters and get the real benefits of the book. Ron Kraybill
Professor of Conflict Transformation
Eastern Mennonite University
Rating:
Summary: Groundbreaking research
Review: I've worked and taught in the field of peacebuilding for 25 years and consider this book the single most important research that has been done in the field. Varshney breaks new ground in conducting indepth research into why some cities in India into fell into violence and some did not during times of high national tension. He presents clear and extremely useful findings about what is useful and what is not useful in resisting violence. Specifically, his research shows that creating structures that bring people together to work for a common cause or benefit(such as Hindu-Muslim traders cooperatives, joint community development committees, peace committees, etc.) has a marked effect in reducing violence. I present Varshney's findings in a variety of settings worldwide and find audiences always highly responsive. My students love the book and find Varshney's ideas so clear and insightful that the often refer back to him later. This book in my view is an example of scholarship at its best: well-designed, provocative, clear in its conclusions. On top of that is it unusually lucid in writing style. I consider it a "classic" - a book that will endure for many years and that deserves to be on the shelf of any serious student of ethnic or religious violence. You can read the first and last few chapters and get the real benefits of the book. Ron Kraybill
Professor of Conflict Transformation
Eastern Mennonite University
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: Varshney had the opportunity to examine the Hindu-Muslim divide in India using fresh glasses, and he has failed at it. His book is a litany of hackneyed generalizations and simplistic arguments.
Rating:
Summary: ashutosh is greatness
Review: Varshney's research is compelling and interesting. He offers refreshing insight and hope. His model will influence public policy and his writing will be cited by world leaders. I look forward to seeing his work implemented globally.
a must have...
Rating:
Summary: a work of excellence
Review: Varshneys research is particulary impressive because of the concise research method that he upholds. I am pleased that he has studied both peaceful and violent cities--giving his research model a basis for comparison. I have purchased 20 copies of Ethnic Conflict and Civic life and have circulated the work among my friends. Varshney's work gives us hope for world peace. this is the work of utter genius. very impressive research. particulary interesting was his intricate methodology of janwars in conflict. I highly recomment this book. a beintot,
julliette
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