Walking through fire

By Peggy Gish

Book Description

In the midst of Iraq's tumultuous years from 2004 to 2011, peace worker Peggy Gish witnessed firsthand the profound human cost of war and occupation. Walking through Fire presents the authentic voices of Iraqi people as they share their experiences of detention, violence, and collective punishment under U.S.-led forces, while also revealing the deep-seated tensions between Kurdish and Arab communities rooted in historical trauma.

Yet this is not merely a chronicle of suffering. Gish illuminates the remarkable courage of Iraqis who chose to speak against injustice and build movements centered on nonviolence and reconciliation. Their stories demonstrate the transformative potential of peaceful resistance even in the darkest circumstances.

The author's own spiritual journey unfolds alongside these testimonies. Having endured personal losses and a kidnapping ordeal while serving in this war-torn region, Gish grapples with profound questions about faith, suffering, and the nature of true strength. Her experiences deepen her conviction that nonviolent love, following the path of Jesus, possesses greater power than force or violence to break down barriers and create genuine transformation.

This compelling narrative challenges prevailing assumptions about the effectiveness of military solutions while offering a vision of hope grounded in spiritual principles. Gish invites readers to examine their own beliefs about conflict resolution and consider how they might contribute to preventing future tragedies of war.