Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World

by Eddie Adams, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Kerry Kennedy

Book Overview

Inspiring interviews about the quality of courage with fifty remarkable men and women, including Wangari Maathai, Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama. Kerry Kennedy explores the issues that compel human... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812930622
• ISBN13: 9780812930627
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Crown
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 4.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 1.0" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Powerful and frightening

In the interst of full disclosure, I have not read through this book in its entirety. Nor to I contemplate doing so soon. The perils faced by the men and women who work for justice are often too hard to read in large doses. The savagery of the human heart is grotesque and seemingly insurmountable. Yet men and women of good will, as beautiflly told in this book, find the courage and strength to look into the face of evil and tell it "No." The stories are taken from all over the world -- the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. They tell of the lonely struggle of those who seemingly cannot stop themselves from pursing freedom and dignity for their fellows. The stories are simultaneously ennobling, terrifying and challenging. Why are we not all fighters for the rights of our neighbors? WHy are we so often craven and complicit with oppresive powers? Why are so few able to face and withstand the fire of persecution? As I said, "Speak Truth to Power" is not a light read. But the stories are inspiring and need to be told. For this, I thank Kerry Kennedy Cuomo for her introductions and her selection of material, and to Eddie Adams for the stark and powerful images of the men and women who raise us as a species above the level of beasts.

Excellent, touching reading

I bought this book for the sole purpose of a class where I was required to do some outside reading. This book was on our recommended reading list. I read the entire book, only one story was required. It was astonishing how these people change the world. I was moved by these stories.

almost religious in its power

The stories and photographs are deeply moving profiles of several of the most courageous people in the world. There are few terms to describe the total power, since I turn to this work on many occasions to gain some inspiration. For someone not immediately interested in the field of human rights, the work is probably not quite as affecting, as personal stories about those who are involved in human rights will be unlikely to move the unconcerned. "Speak Truth to Power" is essential sustenance for the converted.

Powerful stories and photos - AMAZING

This book has seriously gripped me from the first time that I saw the book. The personalized stories are not only remarkable, but so completely unbelievable, that they each require time to settle, reflect, and reread. I have never been so angry, appalled, sad, impressed, and completely humbled in a single sitting.The photos by Eddie Adams are gripping in their sublime and soft tones making the book a really incredible purchase. My only hope is that more people see this. Excellent work Ms. Cuomo!