Donald B. Kraybill and Linda Gehman Peachey, editors, Where Was God on Sept. 11: Seeds of Faith and Hope, (Herald Press, 2002, $12.95) Of the dozen books on the tragedy we've examined, this wide-ranging collection is particularly useful. Authors include noted ethicists like Donald Shriver or Miroslav Volf and international mediators like John Paul Lederach as well as dozens of lesser-known professors and pastors, international workers and editors, mostly from the historic peace churches. Its low cost and pocket size help make more accessible great richness of insight.

What Is Christian Peacemaking explores the biblical vision of Shalom: peace, justice, community, wholeness…
With handouts, activities and leader tips and discussions to engage youth or adults with the biblical vision of peacemaking and what that means for conflicts in our church and world. For 1 to 6 sessions. (pdf)
¿Qué significa pacificación cristiana?
Version en español

Response to Terrorism: Conscience in a Time of War is a new study series by the editors of Sojourners magazine. This study guide is ideal for use in classrooms, adult forums, small groups, and study circles. The many resource articles included are exceptionally helpful and concise. ($7.50; order online at www.sojo.net/resources or call 800-714-7474)

Noam Chomsky, 9-11 (Seven Stories Press, 2001, $8.95) Chomsky is both the world's most widely quoted intellectual and virtually blacklisted by the mainstream US media. You'll find a lot of what is compelling about his thinking in this slim volume edited from speeches and interviews from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the US….

Chalmers Johnson, Blowback (Holt, 2000, $15) Using as his title the CIA's own term for covert operations that harm more than help, Johnson all but predicted a 9-11-type attack a year before because of a US foreign policy of "imperial overreach." Makes a compelling case for military dominance of our foreign policy with minimal attention to the real costs and benefits. Read his follow-up article on 9-11 at www.TheNation.com reviewed by Malcolm Shave

An award-winning documentary film showing in theaters across the country, "Life and Debt" is the best educational tool now available for church groups and individuals to learn how global debt affects poor people. The film by Stephanie Black tells the real-life stories of how Jamaican farmers and business people are affected by global economic policies imposed on their country as conditions for obtaining loans and servicing debts. NY Times film critic Stephen Holden called it "the clearest analysis of globalization and its negative effects that I've ever seen on a movie or television screen….Powerful" The reggae soundtrack and entertaining storytelling brings a heartwarming spirit to the film as well. The Village Voice called it "Artful and intelligent." For a schedule of showings see: www.jubileeUSA.org or call 202-783-3566. Reviewed by Jean Lesher

Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, ed., Subverting Hatred: The Challenge of Nonviolence in Religious Traditions (Orbis Press, 1998) Each of these nine writers shows a deep understanding of both nonviolence and their religious tradition. The essay on Islam, for example, by the coordinator of the Muslim Peace Fellowship is a model of careful scholarship, wide acquaintance with the literature, and a focus on the key issues.

While alternative perspectives on the "war on terrorism" have been all but invisible in the mainstream media, a little effort can find them. Here are four sources that we rate indispensable:

www.sojo.net Superb interviews with Hauerwas, Wink, etc. commentary, statements on Sept. 11 from every denomination and scores of groups, even humor: the best religious site

www.alternet.org More than 100 of the best commentaries culled from publications in Europe, Asia, the US, etc.

www.zmag.org As wide-ranging as AlterNet with more emphasis on US activists, journalists, commentators…

www.commondreams.org Lots of great commentary and visioning, e.g. a moving set of Sept. 11 survivor stories.

Want to expand your knowledge of King and Gandhi? Be amazed at www.mlkonline.net and www.gandhiserve.com