Dr. Marshall wants to immunize the world against war - in fact he wants to eliminate all wars.  This is the stated purpose of his recently published book, The Peace Prescription: Five Key Steps We Can Take to Prevent Wars.  War must be defined, he argues, so that men can quickly recognize and take seriously all acts of violence.  Marshall argues the importance of resolving alleged injustices as quickly as possible before they can escalate to war-making. 

In the first part of the book the author identifies the causes of violence and war and provides a short historical analysis of their causes. Dr. Marshall argues that the common denominator of all murder, violence, subjugation, and destruction is abnormal human behavior.  These are insights derived from his years of counseling people as a physician of psychiatric medicine. 

In the second part of the book, Dr. Marshall offers a five step prescription for eliminating both war and violence.  The author’s five step prescription program begins with what he proposes as the Peace Law, a written statute that prohibits the initiation of violence.  The Peace Law and the steps that follow it all seek to enforce decent human behavior.  He allows that sometimes small wars are necessary to prevent larger wars but he also reminds us that reality is socially created, that our beliefs inform our actions and our actions create our universe.  He awakens us to remember that we can change our beliefs and thus our actions.  Marshall believes in the possibility for a gradual elimination of war and he has faith in the role of behavior modification.  The author believes that with the right preventative care, wars can be thwarted just as illnesses can be avoided.

The Peace Prescription is a thoughtful critique of power, greed, and exploitation and one that questions the soundness of nationalism, patriotism, and the death penalty.  Marshall reviews the principles and spirituality of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, reminding us of their similarities, noting as well that all religions embrace and promote the practice of peace.  In addition to his discussion of religion, the author weaves into his narrative ancient parables as well as excerpts of speeches from peace-seeking men such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Marshall’s alternatives to war and violence follow, in the tradition of Zen Buddhism, a practice that promotes an awareness of one’s lifestyle, one that encourages meditative reflection, and one that emphasizes the importance of living peace.  As the great Zen master, Thich Hhat Hanh, has written it is crucial to remember that if the means is peace then the ends will be peace.  Likewise, Dr. Marshall reminds us that we must take responsibility for what we do and for the choices we make. The means always become the ends.

Dr. Marshall’s purpose is to start a worldwide peace movement.  He offers clear realistic solutions to many of the social maladies we wrestle with.  In fact, what makes this book different from mere academic analysis is that Marshall gives practical suggestions on how things can be changed.  His prescription is person-to-person, a grass-roots, bottom-up strategy rather than a top-down, government-to-government remedy to the perplexing problems of contemporary society. The Peace Prescription is a critique of modern life and a proposal for a more humane and livable world.  The book is both critical and compassionate and offers intelligent and creative alternatives to the destructive patterns of contemporary society. 

While a bit repetitious and didactic, the book is a welcome addition to the literature on conflict resolution.  The book is a must read for every global citizen who deeply cares about humanity and wants to seek compassionate solutions to contemporary problems.  The book is relevant to students and educators.  It is engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Dr. Kim's review:

The Peace Prescription by Dr. Edward Marshall challenges the reader to think non-traditionally and intuitively about a question that has haunted most of humanity since the beginning of civilization. The goal of this book is less to end all wars than it is to present a prescriptive strategy for reducing all “warlike activity” (54). In essence, it is, as stated by the author himself, “intended to be the beginning of the end of all wars forever.”  

The book is worth picking up because the intention is noble in and of itself. The author’s argument and his “Five Steps” are worth considering given that he presents us with a clear roadmap instead of lofty intellectual argument as to why we should even consider eradication of violence. I give big kudos to the author for having the courage to begin this important discourse set in, what I believe to be, the right path. In doing so, the author may not win many supporters. His argument in the book will especially rub

the realists of the world in the wrong way. His “Five Steps” are also not likely to have much traction among advocates of cultural relativism, national sovereignty, and political order. Nonetheless, the book does ask an important question: how do we begin to end the never-ending cycle of violence, which plagues our society? The prescription is laid out in the second part of the book. Although the author is a medical doctor by training, his understanding and depth of knowledge spanning the statistical facts, history, and various religions (including the Koran), makes for a fascinating read.  

I cannot say that I would agree with all of the claims made by the author; nonetheless, I do think that the question being asked and answered in this book is very important and somehow our society must begin to address it. We need not look too far to find the hundreds of non-government, government, and intergovernmental organizations devoting significant resources to report on acts of violence all around the world. The reports and the statistics do not seem to end. When I teach my students about political

violence in the world, I find myself not being able to do more than simply state the harsh reality of the million deaths, rapes, maiming, and tortures. The question of what to do about this problem is less than easy to answer. Yet, The Peace Prescription presents an interesting approach and one I can share with others to begin the important discussion about ending this grim reality. 

Overall, I thought the format and editorial in the book was nicely executed. I found little grammar or spelling errors but I did think the use of single page for quotes was a little distracting to the reader. As far as the overall style of the writing is concerned, I thought it was fairly easy to follow. I enjoyed its colloquial flow and avoidance of academic jargons. 

I applaud both Dr. Marshall and Grassroots Press for having the courage and the will to provide an important starting point to begin the discourse about winning the peace. In my eyes, The Peace Prescription has successfully done its job in setting the discussion on the right path – towards peace. 

As you can see, when professional academics review your book, it's a bit like having your term paper graded. Neither of these Professors accuse me of perfection, but I'm so pleased that they seem to have an overall favorable impression. They deserve thanks and praise for their courage shown just by taking my book seriously enough to review it. They could have said, "Who's he? These ideas are not the usual things we read. What will my colleagues think of me if I review this book? Forget it!" But, no, they had the fortitude to go forward, and I am grateful.