Wars dehumanize. This book humanizes. To those who have been silenced by the trauma of conflict, gagged by fear and conformity, and muted by the world's indifference, this book gives a voice. And it is an unforgettable voice: powerfully, intimately human, heart-wrenching and heart-warming in equal measure, singing a song of horror and of hope. Packed with eighty riveting interviews from eleven conflict zones around the globe, Speaking Their Peace lets "ordinary" people tell their own extraordinary stories of life during wartime and their efforts to build a better, more peaceful life for themselves, their families, and their societies. This emotionally compelling book puts a human face on the news reports that usually skim the surface of the trauma of violent conflict. Speaking Their Peace will change the way you think about how people cope with war and the transition from war to peace.

Colette Rausch has spent twenty years participating in efforts to bring peace and stability to war-torn societies. She is the vice president for Governance, Law, and Society at the United States Institute of Peace. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama promotes peace and compassion around world. He lives in Dharmasala, India.