{"product_id":"exercise-of-conscience-harry-r-van-dyck-9780879755843","title":"Exercise of Conscience: A WW II Objector Remembers","description":"An inherent tension exists between the pacifist conscience and the prevailing mentality of the populace in a country at war. Although today the term \"conscientious objector\" evokes images of the Vietnam era, every war in U.S. history has brought forth men who, for the sake of their consciences, refused to bear arms.World War II was no exception. Exercise of Conscience is the memoir of Harry R. Van Dyck, one of the nearly twelve thousand men who were thrust into hastily organized Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps during that war. Van Dyck, whose Mennonite heritage was the foundation of his conscientious objector status, spent nearly four years in the CPS. He experienced the numerous scenes of adventure, drama, and humor that made up daily life in the camps for a heterogeneous collection of men whose only common bond was their \"exercise of conscience.\"As Van Dyck writes, life as a conscientious objector during this time could be anything but peaceful. Faced with public resentment, many COs were subjected to verbal or physical abuse by impassioned \"patriots\"; others made the difficult decision to renounce their pacifist positions and join the armed forces. Some conscientious objectors waited years before they were allowed to leave the CPS camps and return to civilian life.Van Dyck's memoir examines the principles, motives, and dilemmas of the pacifist, out of step with a society intensely engaged in a popular war, raising issues that are of concern to all who are interested in peace in our time. The COs story is not without significance; Van Dyck's compelling narrative captures the ambience of this unique time and place and illuminates an important portion of American history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Harry R. Van Dyck\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0879755849\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780879755843\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Prometheus Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/01\/1990\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 250\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.31lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.33h x 6.31w x 0.98d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/15\/1990\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/1990\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/1990","brand":"Harry R. Van Dyck","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":49096780611839,"sku":"9780879755843","price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/exercise-of-conscience-harry-r-van-dyck-9780879755843","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}