In this landmark book, William Ury-- best-selling author and director of the Project on Preventing War at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School-- and a stellar panel of experts from several scientific disciplines debunk the commonly held notion that violence is a predictable part of the human condition and outline an innovative paradigm for preventing violent confrontations. Must We Fight? presents compelling new research and insights into human nature which clearly demonstrate that humankind is not doomed to continue the seemingly endless cycle of violent conflict. With intelligence and sensitivity, Ury describes a brilliant program for personal and community empowerment called The Third Side. As he explains, in most conflicts between two parties there is actually a third entity-the community in which the combatants, and their dispute, are embedded. The Third Side is a proven model for ending conflict that shows how to mobilize communities to stop and, in some cases, prevent individual and group violence.

William L. Ury is director of the Project on Preventing War at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and a member of its steering committee. He is the coauthor of the best-selling Getting to Yes and author of Getting Past No.