Allow the Water combines an introduction to nonviolence with a deeper exploration into some of its dimensions. Though its style is mainly that of storytelling, there are also as many helpful references as possible. The book is 500 pages long, but photos and drawings make up almost half the volume.

This is an exploration of the spirituality and practice of the force of love we inadequately call "nonviolence." Nonviolence is people and their stories before it is idea - a way of living and acting, not just a way of thinking.

This book is one contribution to an urgently needed conversation. It is not meant to be "complete." There are questions, observations and convictions. Hopefully, in their thoroughness and simplicity, the contribute to our common search.

Leonard Deroches is a resource person for training sessions in active nonviolence for: farmers, prisoners, strikers; Mohawks from Kanewake and Kahnasatake in preparation for two major pow wows after the Oka Crisis; PBI's and CPT's work in Chiapas, Haiti, Palestine and Burnt Church (New Brunswick).

He has authored two books on non-violence: Allow the Water and Laisser Jaillir; and numerous articles on active nonviolence.

He is a teacher of courses on nonviolence as part of the University of Toronto's Continuing Education Program. A founder of the former Bread and Roses Credit Union, a credit union for social justice groups.

A founder of the following collectives:
- the former Clearlake Collective, a workers collective doing house repairs
- the former Cruise Missile Conversation Project which focused on Litton Systems Ltd., a US subsidiary which built parts for US weapons of mass destruction

He has searched for clues of active nonviolence in places of conflict, such as Palestine, Israel, Nicaragua, Kanasetake, Kahnawake and in Canadian prisons (as a consequence of arrests for acts of resistance to Canadian militarism). His wage earning trade is drywalling, the "Featheredge Drywalling" company.

Leonard was born in Penetanguishene of Franco-Ontarian parents and has been living in Toronto for many years.