Pilgrimage for Peace: The Long Walk From India to Washington

Satish Kumar and his friend EP Menon embarked on an 8,000-mile peace pilgrimage from India to Washington.

When the philosopher Bertrand Russell was imprisoned for his anti-nuclear activities, it was a call to action for Satish Kumar. If a 90-year-old man would go to jail for peace, what could Satish contribute to the struggle?

In this inspiring read, Satish embarks on a two-year pilgrimage, walking a total of 8,000 miles to visit the four nuclear capitals of the world – Moscow, Paris, London and Washington – and look at landmarks of peace and non-violence, including the grave of Mahatma Gandhi, and John F Kennedy. Along the way, he delivers packets of 'peace' tea to leaders in the hopes that they may pause for a cuppa if they ever get the impulse to press the nuclear button.

Pilgrimage for Peace is a book about trust – in yourself, your companions, and humanity - about confidence, resilience and the courage to stretch your limits. It is an ode to the power and the solace of pilgrimage, to peace, disarmament and hospitality, and an adventure story that shows how travel can bring people together in hope and help them understand one another.

With conflict and war constantly in the news today, this book is a timely testament not only to these pilgrims for peace, but to the many people who cheered them on their way, seeing in them the harbinger of a new peaceful future.