Conscience : two soldiers, two pacifists, one family : a test of will and faith in World War I / Louisa Thomas.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thomas, Louisa.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

World War, 1914-1918--Moral and ethical aspects.

World War, 1914-1918.

World War, 1914-1918--Social aspects--United States.

World War, 1914-1918--Conscientious objectors--United States.

Brothers--United States--Biography.

Brothers.

Conscientious objectors.

United States.

Soldiers--United States--Biography.

Soldiers.

Conscientious objectors--United States--Biography.

Thomas family.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xiv, 320 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Penguin Press, 2011.

Summary:

Norman Thomas and his brothers' upbringing prepared them for a life of service--but their calls to conscience threatened to tear them apart. Conscience is Louisa Thomas's account of the remarkable Thomas brothers in a time of trial, exploring the difficult decisions the four brothers faced with the advent of World War I. Sons of a Presbyterian minister and grandsons of missionaries, they shared a rigorous moral upbringing, a Princeton education, and a faith in the era's spirit of hope. Ralph enlisted right away, heeding President Wilson's call. Arthur, the youngest, was less certain about the righteousness of the cause but sensitive to his obligation as a citizen. Evan became a conscientious objector; when the truce was signed in 1918, he was in solitary confinement. Norman left his ministry in the tenements of East Harlem, New York, and began the course he would follow for the rest of his life, fighting for civil liberties and social justice, and against violence as a method of change.--From publisher description.

Contents:

Fervent wrestling prayers

Preacher of the word

The world's honors

The fate of the universe

Sympathy for the unmarried

A land of brotherhood and justice

The promise of American life

Long wars will occur

Which way shall it be?

Courage of the highest type

Muddle headed

What then shall America do?

Let every man be faithful

A caged and cautious liberalism

A democratic right

Courage of convictions

In the fracas

Treason's twilight zone

Mean what you say

The sandiest of foundations

To carry your watch.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [301]-306) and index.

ISBN:

9781594202940

159420294X

OCLC:

682892647