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Summary: The Disgust of War
Review: "The Kingdom of God is within You" is a large, polemical work in which Tolstoy outlines his case for "nonresistance" to evil. The book had a large effect on Mahatma Gandhi, and is thus of interest not only to Tolstoy fans, but to those wanting to understand more about Indian history.
Tolstoy unveils his critique of modern society (as it then was) and modern Christianity. Society is characterised by repression and brutality (either overtly or as an immminent threat). These occur not just between nations, but within nations as the ruling classes exploit and control the masses. Much of the book, therefore, is a strong attack upon the capitalist-militarist-colonialist nation states of the time.
Established Christianity only vaguely resembles the teachings of Christ. The Church is complicit with the state, pumping out a "Christian" message designed to further its own power and to legitimise the abuses of the state. Christ's real teachings are nowhere to be seen. Tolstoy laments the corruption of the modern Church when compared to the early Christian church: unfortunately his belief in the purity of the early Church is backed up with little evidence and could be criticised as myth-making.
Tolstoy points towards Christ's real message as conveyed in the Gospels, and advocates that humans should strive towards the ideal standards set in those teachings (they might not be achievable, but people can improve in the attempt).
The book is written in a clear accesible style, with frequent use of metaphor and similie to help illustrate the points being made. It can drag at times - Tolstoy quotes other works at length, so much so that extraneous irrelevant material is shovelled in with the pertinent stuff. Also, it's passionately written, at times descending into a hectoring tone.
In all though, still thought-provoking, especially as Tolstoy's criticisms can hit the target today.
G Rodgers
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Summary: i wish to read the book someone help me get the book
Review: being in India I dont know how to buy this book. I am willing to pay the price of the book. maninder singh
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Summary: The most thought provoking book other than the Bible.
Review: First I couldn't put it down! I never expected it to catch and hold me with such power! It is a book that can change your thinking on many, many things, ie. governments, armies, organized religeon, land owners, employers etc. Never have I read a more practical and down to earth reason for the use of nonviolent protest in correcting social ills. It works ! He loved Christ! I had to stop reading and reread Christ's "Sermon On the Mount" from the book of Matthew to fully grasp what Tolstoy was saying. The thought of never striking back no matter what someone else does to you has never been a part of my personality....up to now. It makes so much sence! Can I do it? It's worth trying and worth telling why. Great, great book. The fact that it was written over 100 years ago doesn't lessen its freshness. The book is timeless. Anyone interested in truth will love it. You will be challenged.
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Summary: Tolstoy schmolstoy
Review: It's sad that things of this nature can be seriously taken for a briliant life's philosophy.
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Summary: christianity revealed
Review: knowing that ghandi read this work is reason enough to read it.
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Summary: A better title would be: Are human beings capable of peace?
Review: Once I began this book, I could not put it down. It spoke to my heart. Is peace possible on this earth? Of course! We just have to learn to accept one another, love one another unconditionally, give up war and violence. Piece of cake, right? I long for enough people to wake up to the principles set forth by Tolstoy in order to bring a serenity back to the peoples of this good earth. We all desire peace, but are we willing to give up our selfish desires to achieve it? If so, then live peace, spread peace, share peace, BE peace. Let the world know it can be done. Magnificent masterpiece by Tolstoy.
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Summary: Everyone who claims to be a Christian should read this book!
Review: Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Tolstoy argues, very persuasively, that the core teachings of Jesus have been lost to the modern Christian (as of the 1890's, and still true today). His insight into the nature of man is nothing short of brilliant. Man is too comfortable with the way things are to really adopt Jesus approach to life, one of the core underpinnings being non resistance to evil by violence. Another reviewer said that following Tolstoy's advice, we (the US, I guess) should have never opposed Hitler. We shouldn't have -- Hitler would have been out of power in short order; he was no threat to us. Forgive this brief aside. Most of what passes for Christianity today is nothing of the sort. A great deal of it is self-serving. Jesus said salvation is personal -- you don't need a "church" to be saved. As Tolstoy explains, church's are largely the invention of men, who crave a hierarchy and order. This book is a revelation. Christians take note: you may feel rebuked (convicted?) by the words written here.
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Summary: Extremely thought provoking, one of the best books I've read
Review: Reading this book can, hopefully, change how persons think about truth and non-violence. No doubt Gandhi was overwhelmed by it (and tried to practise it). They lived in the same time. If everyone practices even an iota of the observations and yearning for truth from this book, the world would be a better place to live in. Definitely recommended for all who seek the Truth and are willing to try.
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Summary: Not to be taken lightly!
Review: Thank you Leo Tolstoy for giving the world such a profound gift. This book was banned in Tolstoy's homeland, Russia, because it was considered revolutionary, it inspired Mohandas Ghandi to align his life with the Truth at any cost, and with the insanely universal dependence by nation states upon the military option, this book remains as relevant as it was on the day it was published in 1894. Admittedly, this is not a quick read. At times, one can feel bogged down in Tolstoy's meticulous arguments. But taken as a whole, it is an inspired and inspiring work which will without fail prod the attentive reader to scrutinize one's life -- beliefs AND actions. I believe this book will resurface time and again in the non-violent mass movements of the coming century. Read it. Absorb it. Assimilate it. The truth as revealed in this book will indeed set us all free!
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Summary: As is Einstein to Physics, Tolstoy is to Peace on Earth
Review: This book created Gandhi and also created Dr. King, by virtue of Dr. King's study and advancement of the work achieved by Gandhi. So, this book created both of history's brilliant, proven, unimaginably effective Generals of Nonviolent combat. What else is there to say about the importance, validity, and value of this book, to the reader, to human kind, and to the future?
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