Peacemaker

U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World

By: Thant Myint-U

Narrated by: Thant Myint-U

In the early 1960s, a peaceful world was an imaginable goal. The United Nations was widely respected and regarded as humankind's best hope for resolving global conflicts. African and Asian nations, having recently won their freedom from colonial domination, sought dignity and influence on the world stage. At the helm of their efforts was U Thant, a practicing Buddhist from a remote town in Burma who, as the UN's first non-Western secretary-general, became the Cold War era's preeminent ambassador of peace. From the moment of his predecessor's death in 1961, Thant faced a deluge of violent conflicts. Crucially, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he played an indispensable role in defusing tensions and helping both superpowers find a way back from nuclear confrontation. For years Thant also challenged Washington over its war in Vietnam, identifying paths to peace that could have saved the lives of millions.

Drawing on newly declassified documents, Thant's grandson, historian Thant Myint-U, gives a riveting account of how his grandfather's gentle yet willful disposition shaped his determination to avoid a third world war, give voice to the newly decolonized world, create a fairer international economy, and safeguard the environment. Rather than a vestige of an idealistic past, U Thant's fight for peace is central to a fresh understanding of our world today.

©2025 Thant Myint-U (P)2025 Tantor Media

A must on global history and politics

A fascinating, enjoyable, and deeply instructive book about a defining period in history and a courageous, UN-sung hero of global politics. Thant’s research and writing combine depth and integrity, and his narration of the book is excellent.