John Wallach To Visit Hickory Stick

WASHINGTON DEPOT — Author John Wallach will sign copies of his book, The Enemy Has a Face: The Seeds of Peace Experience (United States Institute of Peace; $24.95 cloth, $12.95 paper), at The Hickory Stick Book Shop on Saturday, January 29, from 2 to 4 pm.

Every summer since 1993, the woods of Maine witness a remarkable attempt to plant the idea of peace in the hearts and minds of the next generation of Middle East leaders at the Seeds of Peace International Camp. For three weeks, hundreds of Arab and Israeli teenagers leave behind the violence and hatred ingrained in their homelands to meet their “enemies” face to face. At times it is an emotionally wrenching process, but it can also produce surprising friendships and an enduring belief in coexistence.

John Wallach is founder and president of the Seeds of Peace project. In The Enemy Has a Face, he describes the model used in the non-profit program and recounts the story of the young people’s experience with peacemaking in action. The book includes photographs that help bring alive the complex issues involved in breaking the centuries-old cycle of conflict and violence.

Prior to the event at The Hickory Stick, from 12:15 to 1:15 pm on January 29, the Gunn Memorial Library, also in Washington, will host Mr Wallach’s presentation of the film, Peace of Mind.

Two years ago, Seeds of Peace, in conjunction with the film’s producer, the Global Action Project, armed seven of its graduates with video cameras and asked them to film a year in their lives. This past fall, the resulting documentary, Peace of Mind, won a first prize at the East Hampton Film Festival. The Israeli and Palestinian television networks have agreed to broadcast the award-winning film, parts of which also are airing this month on ABC’s Nightline program.

The public is invited to attend, free of charge admission. For further information, call Gunn Memorial Library at 860/868-7586.

The Hickory Stick is in Washington Depot on Route 47. Call the bookstore, at 860/868-0525, for information regarding the book signing.