Linn Stalsberg

War is contempt for life. An essay on peace

Krig er forakt for liv. Et essay om fred

War is contempt for life. Winning a war means destroying as many people, houses and infrastructure of the enemy as possible. If we want to end all war, we must start talking about the realities of war and learn about all those who have fought for the cause of peace, writes Linn Stalsberg in this book.

The fight for peace can be based on religion, ideology or a political direction. Important tools are pacifism, non-violence and military refusal. What do we really know about the big ideas behind the struggle for peace ? How many of the brave people who refused to go to war, and who were punished for this, do we really know about?

The rampant militarization of our time is taking place in the middle of a major climate and natural crisis. There is hardly anything as destructive to the planet as the arms industry. Both the labor and women’s movements have traditionally fought the cause of peace. Today, the peace movement must also ally itself with the environmental movement, in the fight for all living things. Peace is to create.

‘The author is always there when we need her the most. This year, she is relevant as a counter-vote against war, rearmament and ’defense settlement.’

Klassekampen's selection of the year's best books

‘I am greatly impressed by people who take up the fight against superior power and who refuse to believe it is hopeless. […] Stalsberg has gone to great lengths in her 200-page essay. […] Important thoughts’

Nettavisen, 5/6 stars

‘There is no way to peace, peace is the way […] a very important and good book […] an absolutely necessary book – yes, perhaps more necessary than ever.’

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Photo: Eivind Voldner Rutle

Linn Stalsberg (b. 1971) is a sociologist and author of several books. She is a regular columnist in Dagsavisen and Agenda Magasin, and is a widely used speaker.