We will not cease

We Will Not Cease is the harrowing, true memoir of Archibald Baxter, a stalwart New Zealander who stood firm in his convictions during the brutal times of World War I. Arrested in 1915 at the age of 33 for his steadfast refusal to bear arms, Baxter's journey is one of relentless suffering, resilience, and unyielding spirit. Transported under confinement from New Zealand to the battlefronts of Europe, he faced unimaginable cruelty orchestrated by his own country's military forces.

Through Baxter's poignant narrative, readers are transported into the dark recesses of wartime Europe, where his resolve was met with brutal punishments. Stripped of dignity, subjected to continuous beatings, deprivation of food, and left on the brink of death, Baxter's ordeal is a searing commentary on the inhumanity faced by conscientious objectors. His torment did not end with physical abuses; in a final act of atrocity, Baxter was confined to a mental institution, a traumatic experience that cast long shadows over his post-war life.

First published in 1939, this memoir has been long regarded as a timeless classic. Its unyielding relevance across generations is a testament to its powerful advocacy for peace and human rights. This revised edition enriches Baxter's narrative with a new foreword by Kevin Clements, the founding director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, while also featuring a refreshed cover design and a comprehensive index.

We Will Not Cease stands as a compelling and poignant testimony to the extreme lengths one man went to remain true to his conscience, enduring the unthinkable to uphold his principles. It remains a significant, thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the history of pacifism, military policy, and human endurance in the face of systemic oppression.