In this anthology of essays, fiction, and poetry set in South America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, the United States, and elsewhere, a diverse group of writers explores the role of literature in confronting the most pressing issue of our time: how individuals, communities, and nations can reconcile differences and grievances and forge a future with a renewed sense of dignity and mutual respect. In these works, past and present conflicts - some resolved and some not - are illuminated by literature, uncovering the complexities, subtleties, gestures, and necessary deliberations of forgiveness and healing.The urgency of such deliberations is captured by guest editor Barry Lopez, who asks, ""Who will heed the plea of Everychild for a less brutal future?"" The twenty authors in the volume include Margaret Atwood, Rebecca Solnit, Taha Muhammad Ali, Sasson Somekh, Jorge Edwards, Aharon Shabtai, Santiago Roncagliolo, Aku Wuwu, Davide Sapienza, Samih al-Qasim, Lysley Tenorio, and Hwang Sun-Won. The photography is by Linda Connors.