Product Description

As the boomer generation moves onward through the milestones of life, 1960s nostalgia holds tremendous meaning today. And nothing more eloquently symbolizes the counterculture era than the peace sign. How did this simple sketch become so powerful an image? Peace: The Biography of a Symbol tells the surprising story of the sign in words and pictures, from its origins in the nuclear disarmament efforts of the late 1950s to its adoption by the antiwar movement of the 1960s, through its stint as a mass-marketed commodity and its enduring relevance now.

As the symbol’s popularity blossomed, so did an entire generation, and author Ken Kolsbun’s expertly selected images—from his own collections as well as a variety of historical archives—illustrate both the sign itself and the larger history that it helped to shape. Along the way, the book recounts the controversy inspired by the peace symbol, bringing to light several trials that challenged its very existence. Drawing on exclusive archival interviews with Gerald Holtom, the late creator of the symbol, Peace recounts its birth and goes on to build a historic portrait using both iconic and rarely seen photographs.

With guaranteed appeal for audiences who flocked to Hippie several years ago, Peace will also capture fans of symbology, art, and history—and will pose an interesting counterpoint to the 2008 election. The compact trim size and low price point will help to position Peace as both affordable gift and easy impulse purchase.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95268 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Released on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781426202940
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Ken Kolsbun is a photographer, writer, historian, peace activist, game inventor, landscape architect, baseball fan, bicyclist, mail-order catalog designer, husband, and father. Kolsbun continues to be active in the peace movement and is an authority on the peace symbol itself.

Michael S. Sweeney is a professor of journalism at Utah State University. He is the award-winning author of the acclaimed book Secrets of Victory, which was named 2001 Book of the Year by the American Journalism Historians Association, and of the National Geographic book God Grew Tired of Us, with Jon Bul Dau.

Customer Reviews

Peace: The Biography of a Symbol
A readable history of the peace sign, well-illustrated. Baby Boomers will enjoy this look at the origin and uses of that thing they used to draw on their notebook covers during health class.

GREAT BOOK
This is a great book that shows the history of the peace symbol. Nice photos and is well written. I bought a few copies to hand out to teachers for their classtrooms. A good history lesson.

History of a Living Symbol
Many times during my life, I've been asked the origin and exact meaning of "the peace symbol." This book tells the story, with many photographs, since the inception of this symbol up to our decidedly unpeaceful present.

Gerald Holtom created this symbol for use by the CND--Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament--in the United Kingdom. The symbol is a combination of the positions for signaling via flags (semaphore) to show the letters 'n' and 'd'--as in 'nuclear disarmament.' That's the original meaning, and the origin of this universally recognized symbol comes from the inspired work and heartfelt dedication of one man.

I commend this book for the wealth of its images, as well as a survey of major events related to wars, peace, and the ongoing struggle to make our planet peaceful.