Conflicts of any kind are strictly prohibited
Jürgen Todenhöfer: A Lifelong Crusader for Peace
Jürgen Todenhöfer, an independent thinker and adventurer, has penned a compelling book titled "And if No One Follows, Go Alone." The book, published by Bertelsmann, offers a deeply personal account of his journey through war zones and conflict areas, advocating for courageous action against injustice and violence.
Born in Germany, Todenhöfer's life has been marked by a strong sense of purpose. He boarded a decrepit steamer in Marseille at a young age to reach Algier, a decision that would shape his life's mission against injustices in the world. The consequences of France's war against the Algerian Liberation Front left an indelible mark on him, leading him to become a "truth-seeker" whose journey took him around the world, including to the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Cuba, Vietnam, China, and the USA.
Todenhöfer's book is a testament to his experiences, including a skiing accident in St. Moritz and a subsequent call from Helmut Kohl. It spans 460 pages, hardcover, and retails for 24 €.
Throughout his career, Todenhöfer has been a vocal critic of mainstream narratives and foreign military interventions. He has reported on the humanitarian crises under ISIS control in the Middle East, condemning the widespread violence and human rights abuses committed there, and calling for informed, peaceful solutions rather than further military escalation.
Regarding Afghanistan, while direct references to his views on Afghanistan are limited, his general approach criticizes prolonged military engagements which often lead to worsening conditions rather than resolution.
On Ukraine, consistent with his broader anti-war perspective, he stresses the importance of diplomacy and warns against the escalation of conflicts through external interventions, urging peaceful solutions.
In his book, Todenhöfer investigates internal and external interests in Kyiv and Moscow, but does not yet address the strange situation where a US President finds the war too expensive, yet Europeans want to continue it to the last Ukrainian and risk a nuclear war with Russia.
As he approaches his 85th birthday in November, Todenhöfer felt it was time to reflect on his experiences and share them with the world. The book contains his reports from crisis regions, shedding light on events like Portugal's suppression of the independence movement in Mozambique and conversations with dictator Pinochet.
Todenhöfer's maxim, "Live Every Day as If It Were Your Whole Life!", gains new urgency in today's world. Despite being considered an eccentric by many journalists, his unwavering commitment to opposing war and any form of racism, and his efforts to help overcome the fatal division of Germany, make him a beacon of hope and courage.
[1] Todenhöfer, Jürgen. And if No One Follows, Go Alone. Bertelsmann, 2021. [2] Todenhöfer, Jürgen. "The War in Iraq: A Humanitarian Disaster." Spiegel Online, 2003. [3] Todenhöfer, Jürgen. "The Truth About ISIS." Spiegel Online, 2016.
