War, Conscience and Dissent

New York: Hawthorn Books, Inc. , 1967. First edition. Octavo, original half blue cloth, original dust jacket. Book near-fine with mild creasing to the foot of the spine of the dust jacket. Very good indeed.

"MY SUBJECT IS WAR -- AND THE IMMORALITY OF WAR"

First book edition of this collection of articles by Dr. Gordon Zahn, a continuation of a lifetime of advocacy for peace. Gordon Zahn was well-known as a conscientious objector during World War II (he would describe his experiences in Another Part of the War: The Camp Simon Story) and he was assigned instead to the Civilian Public Service program from 1942 to 1945. After the war he dedicated himself to the study of Pacifism and the Just War theory with a particular focus on the experiences of Germany and Austria under the Nazi regime. Zahn was involved in the debates during the Second Vatican Council over the language on war in "The Church in the Modern World" (Guadium et Spes).The essays are prefaced by Zahn's Foreword and are divided into three sections: Part I: Modern War and the Christian, Part II: Conscience and the State, Part III: The Church and Dissent. With the closing section, "The Church as a Source of Dissent" and a lengthy Afterword: Summation and Prospectus. With Zahn's Dedication to Dorothy Day and Paul Hanly Furfey and his fellow members of the CPS. A brief biography, "The Author and His Book" appears on the last leaf alongside the publisher's colophon. In 1982 Zahn received the Pax Christi award, bestowed by Saint John's Abbey and University to honor individuals who have reflected the ideals of Benedictine monasticism.