We Who Dared to Say No to War

We Who Dared to Say No to War presents anti-war writings and speeches from across American history, spanning multiple conflicts and political perspectives. The collection includes voices from both the political left and right who opposed various U.S. military interventions. The book features selections from prominent historical figures like Daniel Webster, John Quincy Adams, Mark Twain, and Robert Taft, along with lesser-known opponents of war. Each entry includes context about the author and the specific conflict they were addressing, from the Mexican-American War through the Iraq War. The compilation demonstrates how opposition to war has united Americans across traditional political divides, challenging the notion that anti-war sentiment belongs to any single ideology. These primary source documents reveal recurring themes in American anti-war thought: concerns about executive power, skepticism of official wartime narratives, and defense of civil liberties.

Readers appreciate the book's collection of anti-war writings from across political ideologies and time periods. Multiple reviewers note it challenges assumptions about historical figures' stances on war and highlights lesser-known opposition voices. Readers liked: - Inclusion of both conservative and liberal perspectives - Historical documents not found in standard textbooks - Clear organization by time period - Range of writing styles from speeches to poetry Common criticisms: - Some selections feel repetitive - Limited context provided for certain documents - More contemporary voices could have been included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (102 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 reviews) From reader reviews: "Shows how opposition to war has united Americans across party lines throughout history" -Goodreads reviewer "Would benefit from more background on each writer's broader views" -Amazon reviewer "The Vietnam section feels thin compared to earlier conflicts" -LibraryThing review

War Is a Lie by David Swanson Documents historical instances of government deception and propaganda used to promote military conflicts through factual examples and primary sources.

War Is A Racket by Smedley Butler A U.S. Marine Corps Major General exposes the profit motives and corporate interests behind military interventions based on his firsthand experiences.

The Costs of War by John V. Denson Examines the economic, social, and political consequences of major wars throughout history through data and historical analysis.

Why Peace by Marc Guttman Presents accounts from soldiers, activists, and citizens who transformed from war supporters to peace advocates through their personal experiences.

Ain't My America: The Long, Noble History of Antiwar Conservatism by Bill Kauffman Chronicles the American antiwar tradition from both conservative and libertarian perspectives through historical records and biographical accounts.

✦ Thomas E. Woods co-authored this book with Murray Polner, bringing together voices from across the political spectrum - conservatives, liberals, and radicals - who opposed various American wars throughout history. ✦ The book includes writings from historical figures like Daniel Webster, Mark Twain, and Helen Keller, revealing their lesser-known antiwar positions and arguments. ✦ Many of the featured peace advocates faced serious consequences for their stance, including imprisonment, loss of career opportunities, and social ostracism. ✦ The collection spans multiple conflicts from the War of 1812 to the Iraq War, demonstrating how antiwar sentiment has existed throughout American history regardless of the specific conflict. ✦ Woods, though often associated with conservative and libertarian thought, collaborated with Polner, a more left-leaning activist, to show how opposition to war transcends traditional political boundaries.