On Forgiveness: How Can We Forgive the Unforgivable?

In this inspiring work, Richard Holloway tackles the great theme of forgiveness. It is a subject that he explores in the widest context but underpinning this examination is his belief that religion has given us many of the best stories and metaphors for the act. He proceeds to relate forgiveness to such events as September 11th, the Truth Commission in South Africa, and the ongoing conflicts in Palestine/Israel, Northern Ireland and Serbia. On Forgiveness is a discourse on how forgiveness works, where it came from and how the need to embrace it is greater than ever if we are to free ourselves from the binds of the past. Drawing on philosophers and writers of the calibre of George Steiner, Frederick Nietzsche, Jacques Derrida, Hannah Arendt and Nelson Mandela, Holloway has written another fascinating and timely book.

Reviews of On Forgiveness: How Can We Forgive the Unforgivable?

* I don't know when I have been more impressed, indeed, excited, by a work… It answers the seemingly unanswerable tormenting questions in a completely satisfying way. — Ruth Rendell * A work of blinding sincerity and high intelligence. Spectator