Marshall Rosenberg is a clinical psychologist and the founder and director of educational services for the Center for Nonviolent Communications (CNVC), an international nonprofit organization that offers workshops and training in 35 countries. He has initiated peace programs in war-torn areas including Rwanda, Nigeria, Malaysia, the Middle East, Serbia, Croatia, and Ireland.

It is so helpful and hopeful to have a peace activist and a resourceful organization out in the conflicted and adversarial world teaching nonviolent communication. Just listen for a while to talk radio hosts spewing hatred and advocating violence on a daily basis. Then tune in any of the television talk shows and listen to the uncivil discourse of shouting instead of dignified dialogue. Then consider that little training is given to children in resolving conflict through listening, compassion, empathy, or forgiveness; Rosenberg covers them all in this fine book.

He also touches upon the spiritual basis of nonviolent communications, writing about giving of ourselves, manifesting love, emphasizing connections with others, making the most of your Divinely given energy, practicing empathy, and expressing gratitude. These are sorely needed in a world where class warfare, political rivalries, and global conflicts have brought more violence.

Bless Rosenberg for his peace programs. Read about his approach in this paperback and then reflect upon the fact that neither of the candidates for U.S. President will put forward a peace strategy for the years to come.