The Heavy Dancers

Library Journal

``There can be no technological shield against nuclear evil. There . . . is one shield . . . the human conscience.'' This statement captures the essence of The Heavy Dancers , an ideological/political, nontechnical work by a respected British historian and spokesman for the European peace movement. The first section, basically reprints of articles and speeches, covers critical issues facing peace workers: the arms race; uncompromising U.S., British, and Soviet policies; unfriendly media; etc. The second section is a personal narrative on the European peace movement, its development, its efforts, its vital role. Throughout, Thompson, with wit, spirit, and insight, answers his critics at length. Heavy Dancers is an urgent, penetrating, and eloquent dissident view of the pitfalls of the nuclear age and of humankind's moral duty to respond. Recommended. Clifton E. Wilson, Political Science Dept., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson