Dissent

Everyone who felt inpired by John F. Kennedy's book, "Profiles in Courage", or John McCain's "Character is Destiny" will find "Dissent: Voices of Conscience" to be a most worthy sequel. Although all those persons presented are Iraq War dissidents, the real issue is not the Iraq War, or even war in general. Rather it is the recognition of humanity's noblest pursuit - the personal courage to stand by one's conscience, come what may. Character matters. Honor matters. Integrity matters. The reader who agrees with these sentences will find this book inspiring and reinforcing of one's own pursuit of inner greatness in the midst of overwhelming criticism and negative consequences. Whether the reader is for the Iraq War or against it, this book will allow the reader to conjure up in the mind others who have shown great courage and self-sacrifice for a noble cause. As the author of two books, "Christian Chess" and "Early Maxims and Aphorisms", I am very impressed with the authors' consistently high quality of writing style, documentation, and breath of topic. I eagerly await future sequels to this book. Those against the Iraq War should seriously consider introducing this book to elected officials, whether state legislators or Members of Congress. Those in favor of the war should bring it to the attention of pastors and friends. Good people can differ on perceptions of the rightness or wrongness of a war or any policy. Most, however, will agree in the rock-solid principles of being men and women of conscience.

Ann Wright presents stories of many who have taken courageous actions in disagreeing with their countries' actions in invading Iraq. Not the least of these is her own action in resigning from the US diplomatic corps after nearly 40 years of service to her country. This new way of service to the United States of America and all fellow/sister human beings is at least as powerful as all she has accomplished in a long and distinguished career as an Army officer and a diplomat.

This is a great book and every American needs to read it now. We have had enough lies and deceit for the past seven years. Kudos to those who stand up and do the right thing.

Ann Wright and Susan Dixon have turned up the volume on the voices of dissent, according them the credibility and urgency denied them by mainstream media. This is an essential work. The citizens who put their careers and reputations on the line to inform a nation, a world, of the facts surrounding the most important decisions of our lifetimes, not only need to be honored, but listened to. And any citizen worthy of the claim needs to read and reflect on the selflessness that prompted these men and women to act completely outside their zones of comforts and personal interest. The book is imminently readable, accessible, supportable. It is a primer on good citizenship as well as an eye-opening revelation of the inner workings of self-interest in government. Wilson (Woody) Powell

Rarely do we get an insider's look at a controversial historic event from so many different angles while the event is still going on. Ann Wright and Susan Dixon present the viewpoints of government insiders and active-duty military personnel, all with attribution, on the Iraq War. This is an angry book, rightly so, when you learn what the contributors have to say. And the role of British Prime Minister (at the time) Tony Blair surprised me. Democracy requires openness in government and military affaris. "Dissent" is a welcome effort in that direction.