Peace: 50 Years of Protest – the anniversary book

It’s probably the most commonly used symbol of protest in the world, instantly recognised as everywhere as the universal sign for Peace – and in 2008 it will be 50 years old. The book tells the story of the enduring power of what was originally designed as the official sign for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in England.

The symbol was first drawn on on home-made banners and badges in 1958, when CND was launched at a public meeting in London, but has since been apropriated by scores of different protest movements, from hippies in 1960s America – the first to use it to represent ‘peace’ – to feminists and anarchist punks. In 2008 just as it was 50 years earlier, the CND logo is re-created at anti-nuclear demonstrations the world over.

To celebrate this we are creating a book that tells the story of the creation of the original symbol and of how it has been used over the past five decades by peace activists around the world. This unique volume combines the written history of modern popular protest with a range of fantastic photographs of the diverse ways and places that the symbol has been used. The book will also include a number of hand-drawn cards from both prominent figures —musicians, actors, politicians, artists and businessmen etc.

Part of the proceeds from sales of our book will go to a number of charities dedicated to promoting peace around the world. It is intended that the original art works donated to the project will be auctioned, again with the proceeds going to charity. Both the publication of the book and auctioning of the Happy Birthday Peace cards will generate publicity for the 50th anniversary of the peace protest movement and focus attention on existing protests.

We hope that with your help, we can bring media and public attention to the ongoing struggle for peace throughout the world.

Some information on the book:
Publication (in the UK): Spring 2008
Recommended retail price: £25
Format: 254 x 225 mm (10 x 9 in)
Hardback with perforated postcard tip-in
Extent:288 pages
Text: 40,000 words
Illustrations: Over 200 colour illustrations

CONTENTS
Introduction
1957-1960 Ban The Bomb – CND is formed
1960-1975 Stop The War – The Hippies adopt the symbol
1970-1980 Sign Of The Times – other uses of the sign
1965-2005 Wear It Well – use in fashion, music, design
1980–2006 Anti-Nuclear Families – how it’s still in use

Happy Birthday Peace – original birthday cards from numerous famous contributors
To order your copy of Peace: 50 Years of Protest, click here.