The Quiet Rebels recounts the compelling story of the Society of Friends and its unique contribution to the history of the United States, It traces the early years of persecution as Quakers attempted to gain a foothold in New England, and explores the founding of Pennsylvania, which stands as an alternative to the legacy of deceit and brutality which marks the history of European dealings with native Americans. It describes the courageous witness of Quakers in the face of war and human degradation, and their pioneering efforts in penal reform, racial justice, and women's rights, with special attention to the Quaker contribution to the history and development of nonviolent action.