The editors had plenty to do--even having put aside any notion that this three-volume reference would be an encyclopedic or comprehensive history of peace movements. They state in the introduction that their mission was to gather contributions from busy activists and academics to "present a mosaic that gives due recognition to the obstacles to be overcome while sampling the amazing creativity of what has been and is being done to overcome them." Continuing, they point out that "the doers are scientists and poets, professors and peasant women, intergovernmental agencies and community art projects, soldier and pacifists, environmentalists and defenders of human rights..." and that they have "tried mainly to let their voices be heard." Around 70 contributions are arranged in three volumes: the first is subtitled "Peace Efforts that Work and Why," the second is focused on "Players and Practices in Resistance to War," and the third, "History and Vitality of Peace Movements." Within each volume, subthemes include the meaning of peace, human nature, religious dimensions, gender in war and peace, challenges, the aftermath of violence, and national and regional antiwar movements, among others. Each volume is separately indexed. Both editors have a long history of participation in various activities for peace. Editor Pilisuk, with a doctorate in clinical and social psychology, has been affiliated with Psychologists for Social Responsibility (he founded the organization), SANE (now Peace Action), and Society for the Study of Peace Conflict and Violence. Editor Nagler finished his doctorate in comparative literature at U. of California right before the Free Speech Movement, founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program, and speaks and writes on peace issues. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)