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Gandhi's nonviolent struggles in South Africa and India had already brought him to such a level of notoriety, adulation, and controversy that when asked to write an autobiography midway through his career, he took it as an opportunity to explain himself. Although accepting of his status as a great innovator in the struggle against racism, violence, and, just then, colonialism, Gandhi feared that enthusiasm for his ideas tended to exceed a deeper understanding. He says that he was after truth rooted in devotion to God and attributed the turning points, successes, and challenges in his life to the will of God. His attempts to get closer to this divine power led him to seek purity through simple living, dietary practices (he called himself a fruitarian), celibacy, and ahimsa, a life without violence. It is in this sense that he calls his book The Story of My Experiments with Truth, offering it also as a reference for those who would follow in his footsteps. A reader expecting a complete accounting of his actions, however, will be sorely disappointed.

Although Gandhi presents his episodes chronologically, he happily leaves wide gaps, such as the entire satyagraha struggle in South Africa, for which he refers the reader to another of his books. And writing for his contemporaries, he takes it for granted that the reader is familiar with the major events of his life and of the political milieu of early 20th-century India. For the objective story, try Yogesh Chadha's Gandhi: A Life. For the inner world of a man held as a criminal by the British, a hero by Muslims, and a holy man by Hindus, look no further than these experiments. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (50)

A Gandhi Introduction.
I approached this book with some trepidation as my Indian friends are divided in their attitude to Gandhi (some regard him almost as a saint, others are far more ambiguous). There's no doubting Gandhi's place as a major figure in twentieth century history, but would learning more about him create a good or disappointing image?

I would start with a word of caution. This book only covers Gandhi's life from 1869 to 1921. Therefore I treated this book as an introduction to the man, a preparation for further reading. I suppose an equally legitimate method would be to adopt an opposite approach and start with a biography then finish with this book.

I reflected that any comments I made here might only serve to reveal my ignorance of Indian culture and history - I'm sure I missed (or misinterpreted) many nuances. Full appreciation of this book may only be possible if you are either Indian or have a better knowledge than mine.

Nonetheless, I found it an easy book to read - the short chapters helped me keep up a good pace. Indeed Gandhi's style is to pick episodes from his life and reflect on them. Although the book is written chronologically, it very much has a "dipping in and out" feel rather than a linear narrative.

I was left with the impression that this man was no saint (and would have been horrified at the very thought). There were aspects of his character I found puzzling or frustrating: I've never been impressed by anyone who advocates physical self-denial after having produced a litter of offspring; much of the book is devoted to dietetics - a subject Gandhi was so obsessed with it affected his health very badly; and his treatment of his children was, well to be charitable, distinctly odd.

I felt that there was a large amount of self-righteousness in the man, and an obsessive delight in self-denial. Yet withal, should we expect any human to be without fault, and how should Gandhi's faults be judged when compared with his role in securing Indian independence - without Satyagraha would it have been even more bloody than it was? That might be a better mounument to him than this book.

Gandhi: A Man of Peace, a Man of Peas
Once upon a time there was a man who took nothing for granted - no philosophy, no theology, no lifestyle - for how could he know which were proper, which were true, which led to the Divine, to knowledge of God? How could he know unless he tested them himself? So that's what he did. No, I'm not talking about Alan Greenspan. Mohandas Gandhi was that man and GANDHI, AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY: MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH is his story. The Autobiography is a description of how he developed and applied his personal philosophy to his life, or rather, how his spirituality evolved as he experimented with differing lifestyles and theologies in his search for Absolute Truth. But be careful. This book may not be what you expect. Want to know about the life of Gandhi from a historical perspective? You're better off looking elsewhere. Gandhi didn't intend for his autobiography to be such a book. A good alternative is Ved Mehta's MAHATMA GANDHI AND HIS APOSTLES (Viking, 1977), which stresses the historic context and social relevance of Gandhi's life. If you want insight into the origins of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) directly from its creator, you will find one of Gandhi's other books, SATYAGRAHA IN SOUTH AFRICA (Greenleaf, 1979), to be a much better source. Although Satyagraha may be the most influential experiment of his life, it was by no means the only one.

You see, Gandhi tells us his life was a series of experiments, nothing more. He actively sought lifestyles and philosophies different from his own, tried the ones with merit, and adopted or rejected them based on his experience. In his own words, "I simply want to tell the story of my numerous experiments with truth, and as my life consists of nothing but those experiments, it is true that the story will take the shape of an autobiography," (xxvi). By following this path, he believed he might find self-realization and ultimately come face-to-face with God.

Despite this ethereal theme, the story is quite mundane. Gandhi's experiments took place in the real world, not just in cerebral debate and introspection. His story falls within a historical context, leading him on a path toward a lifestyle few are willing to emulate, a life of self-denial and simplicity. From strict vegetarianism (fruit and nuts only) to celibacy (he swore off having sex with his wife (or anyone else, for that matter)), to the rejection of the most meager creature comforts, Gandhi's commitment to principle seems extreme and obsessive to us. This commitment to principle became both the key asset and primary flaw in his character. More than once, principle led him to deny medical treatment to seriously ill family members so he could experiment on them with harebrain "water," "earth," and dietary cures in which he believed. And yet, this same commitment to principle was the crucial component to his achievements toward peace and equality. Gandhi was a serious man whom you probably wouldn't invite to your bachelor party.

On the practical side, Gandhi is true to his word, giving us an undecorated account of his spiritual journey - the good with the bad. The book is stylistically straightforward, written chronologically in chapters brief enough to absorb during the average sit.

On the other hand, it is often tedious and screams for annotation. The litany of south Asian names can be difficult for westerners to keep track of or pronounce. Gandhi discusses historical figures and events in passing without introduction or background, so keep a reference book handy. At the same time, he dwells on information you will find irrelevant. And then, of course, there's the problem all autobiographies have - you don't get to see how the story ends. Gandhi published the autobiography in 1927 and went on to live another twenty-one years before being assassinated - active, important years you might want to know about.

Does Gandhi make a good case for his method of experimentation and for the conclusions he reached through these experiments? That, dear reader, is for you to decide. But it is interesting that the more he experimented, the further he settled upon the uncompromising life of a Hindu ascetic. His exposure to the world brought him back to his roots, to the religion of his homeland, and implicit in this choice is the rejection of the values and theologies he found elsewhere. This is a troubling thought. Did he find no elements of Truth outside Hindu asceticism? Is he suggesting that each of us lead lives of celibacy and self-imposed poverty? Gandhi responds that there are many manifestations of the Divine. The path he chose made sense to him, but it is up to each individual to find his or her own way, to conduct his or her own experiments with Truth, just as he had done.

Some treat the Autobiography with a reverence due scripture. Scripture it is not, nor is it great literature. Nevertheless, you may very well find inspiration and insight for your own life, and you will certainly learn much about Gandhi, how he saw himself, his place, and his purpose.

Everyone should read this book
In his own words, Gandhi takes us through some of the experiences in his life, with each chapter forming at least one important learning lesson to him. All experiences, whether good or bad, had a positive learning lesson on him and contributed to his goal of seeking the truth.

One of his main beliefs was using non-violence as a means of protesting against acts of oppression and using international law to seek justice. This meant he never raised his fists or lowered himself to barbarism however much he was provoked, violated or attacked. In fact this seems to be the opposite attitude demonstrated by all terrorists and most countries (West, Middle East and East) where the belief is that violence and war works. As Gandhi says "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind".

As we have now entered the third of the world wars, where the weapons are horrific and the consequences unimaginable, Gandhi's words have never been more important. All politicians and world leaders should read this book. In fact everyone should read this book.

The honesty in this book is absolutely relentless.
As notable as they are, Gandhi's political successes are not what attracts me to this man.He had a sincere desire to know his own faults and arrogances (and to therefore, rid himself of them).This is the key to curing human relations.In my own life, this is what I look for in people.They don't even have to like me, so long as they are genuine in their attempt to see me as I truly am, and themselves for what they truly are.
Gandhi's infamous 'non-violence' beliefs and abstaining lifestyle sprout from this attitude.I think it is imperative that we realize that noble actions are the 'sprouts', whilst the courage to face one's own arrogances is the 'core' of successful humanity.I mean, what happens when the 'actions' are credited as core? eg.Many people express noble slogans like "NO RACISM", yet feel hateful whilst doing so, perhaps even desiring harm come to the racists.Isn't yielding a peaceful slogan whilst feeling hateful, putting across mixed messages? Gandhi expressed genuine compassion for his 'enemies'.He wanted them to learn, not hurt.Even if 'non-violence' is a noble slogan, it isn't guarenteed to have positive effects.A slogan-yielder must show genuine desire to learn of his own arrogances (and not just desire to point out the target's arrogances), otherwise -the target will feel that you expect more of him than you do of yourself (hence, he will inevitably rebel).Brainwashing (nasty word!) is ALWAYS negative, regardless of how well-intended the founding cause was.Hence, Gandhi's successful influence on people was actually founded in his attitude toward himself.He was well trusted by people because his 'lack of hateful feelings' corresponded with the 'words they heard him speaking'.
What is the true nature of non-violence? Gandhi obviously meant this spiritually, even though he applied it to physical actions.He is 100% correct that violence has no role in the spiritual realm.But physically? His physical application is undoubtedly a rebellion against the human habit passing off ill-intended action as acts of neccessity.(eg. Nazi's later would explain away their racial exterminations as "survival of the fittest").
My definition of survival (and 'competition'); "survival= gain for the self, at the least cost to all else".Humans currently neglect the "at the least cost to all else" part of the equation.And Gandhi rebelled against this neglect.But, in his abstainance he may have overshot, with the naturally occuring "gain for the self" part lagging behind.As selfish as that phrase may sound, it is only selfish if "in absence of the other part" of the equation.However, abstainance can be a great learning experience so long as it is free flowing and freely chosen, and isn't obsessive or guilt-driven.Gandhi did inherently abstain with nature/God/love in mind.But, it did eat away at him also.So, it wouldn't be accurate to say that he'd perfected a balance, despite getting many things right.

Does all this mean I'm claiming he was incorrect? No.I'm merely claiming that his philosophy was incomplete.He made great spiritual progress, obviously.His advancement of humankind's understanding of physical combat's true role, is endlessly helpful.But to make sure his wisdoms don't go to waste, we mustn't sell ourselves short by assuming that we can't possibly add to his wisdom with our own (as if we daren't know something that he didn't).We need to allow ourselves to build on Gandhi's platform.That's the whole reason he set the platform.Not so we'd stagnate on it.
On a side note; I can relate to some reviewers using the word 'boring' to describe his writing (though I dare not use it myself, thru fear of UNhelpful votes.ha, ha).It's just that; Compassionate people are so determined not to feed arrogance into their world that -in abstaining their negative attributes, some of their positive ones can accidentally get caught up in the abstainance also.Hence the phenomenon "nice guys finish last".Nice people do risk 'being boring', in their efforts to not just -blurt out absolutely every (potentially destructive) urge that goes through their bodies and minds.So, I urge (controlledly 'urge', i assure:)) readers to be patient with him.You'll find no cheap comments here designed to 'pheign' being interesting.He much prefered to actually 'be' interesting.Much harder an art.

What the Truth Reveals
In the book's introduction, Gandhi ascribes these words of the Hindu poet to himself:

Where is there a wretch
So wicked and loathsome as I?
I have forsaken my Maker,
So faithless have I been.

The cause of this wretchedness, Gandhi wrote, was "the evil passions within that keep me so far from Him, and yet I cannot get away from them." These thoughts echo those of the Apostle Paul who, while desiring to do good, found that evil worked within him. He bemoaned, "Oh wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death?" Both men realized they could not perform what the truth required, and because they loved truth, it made them feel wretched.

Who then is righteous, if not Gandhi and Paul? The prophet Ezekial spoke of God's promise to "put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." But such righteousness is seldom seen. Gandhi wrote disapprovingly of one Christian acquaintance "who knowingly committed transgressions, and showed me that he was undisturbed by the thought of them." Paul saw among his own converts in Corinth such immorality "that does not even exist among the heathens."

The promise does not fail, but faith wavers. The promise must be put to the test, as an experiment with truth. Then those who love the Truth may be revealed. ... Read more

Book Description

Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma (“great soul”), was the father of modern India, but his influence has spread well beyond the subcontinent and is as important today as it was in the first part of the twentieth century and during this nation’s own civil rights movement. Taken from Gandhi’s writings throughout his life, The Essential Gandhi introduces us to his thoughts on politics, spirituality, poverty, suffering, love, non-violence, civil disobedience, and his own life. The pieces collected here, with explanatory head notes by Gandhi biographer Louis Fischer, offer the clearest, most thorough portrait of one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has known.
“Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. . . . We may ignore him at our own risk.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With a new Preface drawn from the writings of Eknath Easwaran

In the annals of spirituality certain books stand out both for their historical importance and for their continued relevance. The Vintage Spiritual Classics series offers the greatest of these works in authoritative new editions, with specially commissioned essays by noted contemporary commentators. Filled with eloquence and fresh insight, encouragement and solace, Vintage Spiritual Classics are incomparable resources for all readers who seek a more substantive understanding of mankind's relation to the divine. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Easy to Read Impossible to Forget
The best anything I've ever read about Gandhiji! I read this over 6 weeks when I was visiting India in the Fall of 2000 to see my mother for the last time. Every night I was so eager to read the book from the place I left the night before. At the end, the book was in several pieces but I still remember the highlights. A great author to write a great book about a unique soul!

A Message for Today
Gandhi's words have never been so pertinent as they are today. This is an anthology of his writings, edited by topic in chronological order. It's an autobiography revealing Gandhi's evolution from a fearful young man, afraid of the dark, to a fearless leader who feared no rebuke by an empire. More than an aesthete in a modern world, Gandhi's complexity is revealed in each passage as he penitently reveals his transformation into selfless service and living simply. His words and actions inspired others to follow without fear of retaliation and could guide today's leaders to a peaceful resolve. The book reads like a primer on non-violence.

Eknath Easwaran's 18 page Preface is worth the price of the 339 page paperbound book.

Must Read For All
This book is one of my favorite non-fiction books. The beauty of this book is that the main points are in Ghandi's exact quotes while the flow of the arguments are edited by his biographer, Louis Fischer, to give a great feel of direction. Because Ghandi edited his own newspaper his life-changing views are abundant and easily accessible. If only this book were read by all leaders of people.

Best Gandhi book available.
I have read every Gandhi book i could get my hands on, such as all his autobiographies, and this book is by far the best and just as accurate. With this book and the writings that are on his official website, you will have all the information you will ever need. One thing to keep in mind, that many people seem to forget, is that Gandhi was a normal man like you and me. He made mistakes just like every other man, but had the courage to always follow his 'inner voice' even in his unperfectness. This is a life changing book for those who dare to look within themselves.

Great Thoughts from a Great Man
This is a mind opening, life changing book. The thoughts and writings, spaning over the entire course of Gandhi's life, offer a glipse into the mind and habits of one of God's greatest followers. His peaceful approach to life and his undying love for friend and foe alike will motivate any reader to the highest level. This is a must read for anyone, regardless of nationality or creed, who wishes to see the potential all humans have within them. ... Read more

Book Description

Gandhi the Man tells how Gandhi remade himself from a shy,tongue-tied, average little man to a Mahatma whose life can serve as aninspiration for our own transformation. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

a good place to start
In October, which is his birth month, everyone who has ever been affected by the teachings of the Mahatma turns to refresh themselves about who he was & what he gave to us. Because of my parents' antipathy toward this rabble rouser, I naturally wanted to know more about him. It was the Mahatma's tenets that I learnt as a volunteer during the early anti-apartheid marches in London after Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, & which stood me in good stead in Chicago during the Civil Rights Movement.

In GANDHI THE MAN, Eknath Easwaran offers a simply read primer, with lots of photographs, into who the man was & how he came to his way of life. Definitely for those who have ever wondered about this great soul & about how to transform the quality of their lives.

A perennial Rebeccasreads recommendation. Then explore all the other offerings from Nilgiri Press & the Blue Mountain Center for Meditation.

Not quite what I hoped for
When I purchased this book I was hoping for a detailed account of Gandhi's life from beginning to end and how he effected people and politics. What I got was a limited account of Gandhi's life with emphasis on his spirituality and very little detail of the actual events. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and it was a useful introduction but it left me yearning for much more.

If you are looking for and introduction to Gandhi's spirituality this is interesting. If you want a detailed history of Gandhi's life, keep looking.

Uplift Your Life with the Essence of Gandhi!
Gandhi is one of my key personal heroes, and I expect he will continue to be for the duration of my life. One of the primary reasons for this is that I draw such inspiration from someone who transformed his life from the mire of confusion and failure that many of us experience, to become a beacon of inspiration, accomplishment and near-flawless integrity. Gandhi's life also identifies the exact ways, means and principles surrounding how integrating and extending spiritual energy can help us in achieving any goal, no matter how daunting it may seem. I have read several books on Gandhi, including "My Experiments with Truth" -- which I recommend with the caveat that it is very laborious reading. "Gandhi the Man" on the other hand, cuts to the chase -- and helps readers to see the essence of the greatness of Gandhi, while also pointing us to the tools that will help us achieve greatness in our own lives (integration of thought, word and deed, meditation, focus on service, etc.). Highly recommended!

An uplifting story
The first book I read on my spiritual journey, and a marvelous sendoff. Illustrates the immense power of love, patience and focussed energy that anyone, even the most ordinary or average person, is capable of. Immensely uplifting.

Good Pictorial
This book offered some very nice photos of M.K. Ghandi and an elementary background on this historic figure. This volume attempts to describe Ghandi from a spiritual perspective. It was a nice book, however I found most of the conclusions drawn by the author, Mr. Eswaran to be speculative. I also wornder how much of this work is ment to justify his other works dealing in mantra meditation.

Overall, I am pleased to have this work on my shelf as an important piece on a great historical figure. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An excellent book that you'll want to read again and again.
I thought this was an excellent book. From the very first chapters Ghandi's words give cause for pause and self examination. A very good read written by one of the world's greatests persons. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. This is a very good place to begin if you are wanting to study Ghandi's works, or it stands quite well alone.

Introduction
This collection of Quotations from Ghandi's principal works was originally issued by UNESCO as an introduction to his thinking. The chapters cover Gandhi's life and his views on religion, non-violence, politics, the future of India and the role of women in society. Gandhi was this rare phenomenon in history: a true political revolutionary who did not destroy people and had an absolute respect for human life .His thoughts and actions inspired the Civil Richts struggle of the sixties and the peacefull revolutions in Eastern Europe and the Phillipines.

A very insightful view that delves into gandhi's psyche.
Very good book, the book contains several interesting happenings in gandhi's life. It is very melancholic and reflectful. The book however, is a hard read, and I found myself struggling to understand what Gandhi meant. But there are very good metaphors and some very interpretive views on modern day india, as well as the world. Gandhi was a predominant character in the 20th century, and his works are highly appreciated. I recommned this book to all readers of interest in india. And hope that you enjoy it as I did.

Thoughtful and still relevant
Not as successful as his other books this is a gem whose relevance increases in todays world Read it and you will gift it!! ... Read more

Book Description

More than half a century after his death, Mahatma Gandhi continues to inspire millions throughout the world. Yet modern India, most strikingly in its decision to join the nuclear arms race, seems to have abandoned much of his nonviolent vision. Inspired by recent events in India, Stanley Wolpert offers this subtle and profound biography of India's "Great Soul." Wolpert compellingly chronicles the life of Mahatma Gandhi from his early days as a child of privilege to his humble rise to power and his assassination at the hands of a man of his own faith. This trajectory, like that of Christ, was the result of Gandhi's passion: his conscious courting of suffering as the means to reach divine truth. From his early campaigns to stop discrimination in South Africa to his leadership of a people's revolution to end the British imperial domination of India, Gandhi emerges as a man of inner conflicts obscured by his political genius and moral vision. Influenced early on by nonviolent teachings in Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Buddhism, he came to insist on the primacy of love for one's adversary in any conflict as the invincible power for change. His unyielding opposition to intolerance and oppression would inspire India like no leader since the Buddha--creating a legacy that would encourage Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and other global leaders to demand a better world through peaceful civil disobedience. By boldly considering Gandhi the man, rather than the living god depicted by his disciples, Wolpert provides an unprecedented representation of Gandhi's personality and the profound complexities that compelled his actions and brought freedom to India. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Facts vs Fiction
In a democracy every one has a right to voice his opinion something 'a reader' doesn't understand... instead he jumps to the obviously childish accusations and insinuations which makes his review all the more entertaining. Unlike the 'reader' I actually gave historical facts. Instead of countering any of those facts, Mr anonymous reader has used incendiary vocabulary which has only helped to strengthen my case ...

Having been educated in the United States, the World's GREATEST democracy, I highly doubt that my history has been 'military guided' or the product of onesided theology(To which as a secularist I take strong exception). If the 'reader' feels that my treatise on Jinnah is fiction, be advised that the material I used was from 'Jinnah of Pakistan' by Stanley Wolpert the same author whose current book he is giving 5 stars to...

Gandhi might have been a great leader, but no one can deny that he is responsible for bringing religion and superstition into politics for the purposes of mobilization. No one can deny that one of the man's massive appeals is his 'exoticism' (his half naked antics, his dhoti, his religious mumbo jumbo) which gives the warm tingly feeling to a sensitive but unaware westerner... In contrast the well dressed Barrister Mohammed Ali Jinnah seems quite ordinary ....

That is the irony of the study of History in our times... ofcourse you have to be Winston Churchill to look beyond such facades... it is well known that Churchill held men like Jinnah and Ataturk in much greater esteem than walking wonders of the world like Gandhi.

Next time instead of petty accusations choose the facts please...

Not the Right Lesson
I am a firm believer that biographies of great men should not only relate the person's life but also attempt to teach things which may be drawn from that person's life. Stanley Wolpert's biography of Mohandas Gandhi, "Gandhi's Passion: The Life and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi", brings the "Great Soul" to life but fails in providing the proper lesson.

Like most great men, Gandhi was a complicated personality. Wolpert does not hide the underside of Ghandi's personality even though he is an obvious admirer of the Mahatma. Wolpert not only portrays the good that Ghandi accomplished in the service of Indian independence but also the odd behaviors he sometimes engaged in like being bathed by his female followers. Many of his odder episodes were performed in the hope of ridding himself of the human frailty of lust. Gandhi felt that by tempting himself with attractive young women he could harden his heart against his baser impulses. Wolpert even goes so far as to describe how poor of a father and husband Gandhi was. Although, some would argue that it is almost impossible to be a good family man when leading your nation to independence.

Wolpert does well in his description of Gandhi's life. However, I believe the lessons he attempts to impart from it are mostly wrong. The one thing that is most associated with Gandhi is non-violent resistance. It was partially non-violent resistance and civil disobedience that eventually won India its independence. What Wolpert doesn't say, being too busy castigating the racist British imperialists, is that non-violent resistance only worked against the British because they let it work. As uncivilized as the British behaved in their colonies, there was a line that they would not cross. That line in Gandhi's case was executing a man who offered no violent resistance. Had Gandhi had to win India's independence from a lesser civilized nation, he likely would not have lived very long.

Also, Wolpert never seems to grasp the hypocrisy of Ghandi railing against the racist Westerners at the same time that he put down Westerners and Western civilization as barbaric and inferior to Indian civilization. While Gandhi never seemed to treat the British as inferior, his writings always portrayed that as his real feeling.

Of course, the flip side to this is that Wolpert rightfully credits Gandhi with developing the best plan for, if not saving Indian unity post-British occupation, then at least saving the country much of the violence of the partition. Gandhi would have installed M. A. Jinnah as India's first prime minister instead of his "disciple" Jawaharlal Nehru. After the creation of Pakistan was all but assured, Gandhi would have given the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan to avert the inevitable wars that India and Pakistan would fight over the Muslim-majority provinces in Indian territory.

It's sometimes difficult to separate one's opinion of a great man and one's opinion of a biography of the same man. However, with "Gandhi's Passion" I must do so. Wolpert in the end tries to teach the wrong lessons from Gandhi's life. This does a disservice to someone who has meant a lot to so many people.

A great soul and 20th century's greatest man
While everyone does not need to view Gandhiji as a holy man (because their definitions of holy may vary), it is incredulous that some would question the existence of the Indian independence struggle and Gandhiji's non-violent non-cooperation movement or its effectiveness! I refer in particular to the review in this section by one Yasser Hamdani who seems to have used this review as another occasion to spew bile and venom borne of jealousy. That it is based on sheer jealousy becomes amply clear as one looks at Mr.Hamdani's fictional treatise on Jinnah. Such corrupt minds I wish had been exposed to some real education instead of mere one sided theology and / or invalid military guided history.

A Passionate Life
Good biographies, especially the scholarly kind, invite us to reconstruct or at least revise our estimate of the subject of the biography. Stanley Wolpert, an eminent scholar of Indian history, who acquired quite a bit of notoriety in India by publishing what now sounds like an innocuous novel about Gandhi called Nine Hours to Rama (1966), has now revisited the Mahatma by writing a biography which is neither hagiographical like so many memoirs and the Government of India financed movie of Gandhi’s life by Attenborough nor dismissive like the estimate of the man and his message offered by the likes of Arthur Koestler. Wolpert looks at Gandhi as Hindu Indians would wish to see him, as a yogi whose accomplishments as a prophet of nonviolent revolution changed the world’s ways of looking at the discourse of power. The habit of automatically associating Gandhi with saintliness has kept most writers about him bound to the notion of glorifying him or glossing over his weaknesses which were many and substantial. Now fifty-three years after his death, being in possession of greater knowledge about the man, his strength, and many unwise and vain activities, we find it tempting, urged by Wolpert’s narrative to speculate on how things might have turned out for India in particular and the world in general had the Mahatma (the great souled one) possessed greater self-awareness or his nature were less paradoxical, the contradictions in his character preventing him from gaining the kind of influence on India, perhaps making it imperative for his country to adhere to most of his unquestionably valid basic moral principles. Wolpert is no happier than most other biographers of Gandhi when he draws our attention to the less admirable traits of Gandhi’s complex personality which made him cling to the world even as he rejected it because it had not reached the moral purity he was trying to envelope it in. Wolpert’s Gandhi is a man of action, his courses of action always dictated by God through a channel that only Gandhi had access to. Gandhi’s claim to an intense personal relationship with God made disagreement with him impossible for his educated followers. Jawaharlal Nehru, for instance, found Gandhi’s apotheosis of poverty and his somewhat elementary understanding of political economy difficult to grasp. Gandhi was a gifted seer who intuitively knew that the end of imperialism was near and he knew better than anybody else how to bring it to its knees although in his twenties and early thirties he saw himself as a loyal subject of the empire. Yet he refused to see the inevitability of the world’s industrialization and considering industrialization a total evil, he failed to see how it could have been an ally in accomplishing many of the goals he was striving for: better sanitation, better health, physical and moral, and more food for India’s masses. Personal sacrifice was Gandhi’s mantra. Although he was, outwardly at least, a champion of self-rule, he denied self-rule to members of his own family. Thus his wife had no say in the matter when he embraced celibacy and the unfortunate story of his son Manilal is clearly indicative of Gandhi’s inflexibility in situations demanding a great deal of give and take. A man who preached universal forgiveness, Gandhi could not bring himself to forgive what he saw as the misdeeds of his hapless son. Wolpert does not go into detail about the son’s attempt to reconcile with the father, but the statements of Gandhi he quotes make it clear that Gandhi was not at all interested in letting his prodigal son return to the fold. A most haunting passage in the book is the one that describes a universally ignored Hari Lal, now a convert to Islam, furtively hanging around the site of his father’s cremation while his younger brother lights the funeral pyre. For a prophet of individual and national autonomy, Gandhi comes across a jealous, controlling figure in the book. Women for whom he definitely had a passionate physical attachment received letters from him which barely conceal the attachment. Some of these women were quite young when he conducted his experiments in maintaining his celibacy even as he slept next to them.... Trying to head off the inevitable partition of India, Gandhi annoyed millions of Muslims as well as Jinna by claiming to speak for Indian Muslims. He truly believed that it was in his power to persuade Jinna to abandon his idea of carving a Muslim nation out of India. Even more tragic was his assumption that he could sway the charismatic British Governor General of Free India, Louis Mountbatten, and the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru to offer the highest administrative office in the country to Jinna in return for a promise to keep India undivided. Especially painful to him must have been the realization that he no longer owned a voice that could stop the murderous Hindu and Muslim masses vengefully mauling one another to death. The penultimate chapter of Wolpert’s book is devoted to how the post-Gandhi India has almost entirely rejected Gandhi’s legacy. Gandhi was a man of the present; he could take an enslaved country and set it free. But because his inner contradictions would not allow him to envision an independent India facing up to the inevitable challenges of nation building, Gandhi now resides in the minds of young Indians as a much revered figure who has little to say to them.

Very informative
This one is a non-orientalist perspective with unbiased informataion about Making of Gandhi, the person.It is a good analysis of what made up his character, passions and his complexities. ... Read more

Book Description

The Internationally Acclaimed Biography of One of History’s Monumental Figures Gandhi: A Life The first biography of this important figure in over twenty years, Gandhi: A Life rescues the man from the myth, revealing the transformation of an ordinary, timid young man into a leader whose stand against a mighty empire brought millions together. "Until another Gandhi scholar comes along who digs deeper and can write more movingly, Gandhi scholarship will be well served by Chadha’s effort." — The Washington Post Book World "It is well-balanced, even-handed, and, like its subject, inspiring." —Kirkus Reviews "An engaging work worthy of a wide audience." —Library Journal "A sober, sensible, and notably fair account of this most quicksilver of personalities … far from uncritical … But on the whole he is approving, even reverential. Usually he convinces one that this is justified." — Daily Telegraph (London) "The first major biography to appear for twenty years … [with] a depth and authority which others have lacked." —The Independent (London) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

In Depth with Gandhi
I am not an avid reader but I found the movie "Gandhi" so intriguing that I decided to find a biography on this inspirational man. The book left me as satisfied as the movie did. While other books may be shorter and closer to the point, this book really goes in depth of what was going in India during Gandhi's non violence movement. I feel I really got to know the man and his policies better while even learning a lot of the Indian politics of the time. The inspiration I drew from this book and the Mahatma has led me to search for more information on this subject and to look closer into how one is supposed to live. While no man is without his faults Gandhi helps us find the truth in peace with each other. Great book

It's a good chronicle, but weak as a biography
I purchased this book because I wanted to learn more about Gandhi and his influence, given that he's been regarded as the father of modern India, and was an inspiration for Martin Luther King Jr.

Gandhi: A Life is a densely packed book; I wouldn't say it's hard reading, but there's a huge amount of material here. Unfortunately, I felt disappointed by it since it does a good job of presenting the basic facts of Gandhi's life (carefully cross-checked for accuracy, the author assures us in his foreword), but goes no further than that. As such, it will teach the reader much about what Gandhi did and said, and about the state of India circa 1890-1948, but it will provide little insight into the man himself.

As one would expect, facts about Gandhi's later life are more readily available than about his earlier life. Despite this, the first third of the book feels the most rewarding, as several formative events provide profound insight into the man, including his vegetarianism and policies of non-violence. His gradual development from a shy young lawyer with stage fright into the powerful and dogmatic leader is carefully shown through his experiences in South Africa.

His return to India prior to 1920 and his ascension to the top of Indian politics, though, is not as successful. Just when we most need explanations and interpretations of Gandhi's behavior, Chadha fails us. Gandhi suddenly ceases to talk on Mondays, for some reason. He acquires what is essentially a cult of personality, but his own personality seems basically unlikeable, and the personalities of those around him are left sketchy. Chadha introduces supporting characters with a few paragraphs when they appear, but then takes as a given that their behavior will be understood.

While I can understand the desire to deconstruct the mythology around a figure such as Gandhi, it seems to me that the author does us a disservice in not probing deeper into the figure, even if he does have to work with some less-well-documented material. Such interpretation seems to me to be an essential part of being a biographer.

The book concludes on its lowest note, a three-chapter description of the plot (if it can be called that) leading to Gandhi's assassination. Filled with characters who never met Gandhi, and whose motivations were not particularly profound, it adds almost nothing to our understanding of Gandhi, those around him, or his nation. It is, ultimately, a digression and an anticlimax.

If pure facts about the life of Gandhi are what you're looking for, then this is the book for you. If you're looking for interpretation or better understanding of who he was and why, then I recommend you look elsewhere.

Engrossing Book
This book has several things in it's favor.
- It does not try to deify Gandhi
- It provides, a historical treatment of events in Gandhi's life
- The author does not try to push his opinions on you, but instead allows you to absorb the facts and make your own mind up.

The book is a result of a tremendous amount of research and is very well thought out and well presented. I couldn't put it down.

I recommend this book for someone who wants to learn about Gandhi:The Man, his achievements and his shortcomings and not Gandhi: The Mahatma or Great Soul.

Provides a background for further study...
Mahatma, Traitor, God, Machiavellian, Father of the Nation

Yogesh Chadha has done a great job in trying to bring forth the man behind the legend. But Gandhi was and is a very complex personality.

Throughout his life Gandhi's view matured and changed every day. This I am sure irked the British but it is the essence of Gandhis life that he absorbed the good out of every incident in his life.

Many critics view Gandhi as a political leader but as is made evident by Chadha Gandhi was extremely religious and this was where he found the strength that made the sacrifice of millions logical to him. We should be thankful that his fanaticism was towards truth and peace and only forced on himself (quite unlike the leaders nowadays).

A great book but a new reader would be advised to read Gandhi's Autobiography first as that is very approachable and lacks the dichotomy in this book that can leave a reader confused...

All the facts are there but where's the Passion
I guess I found myself wanting to like this book so much more than I actually did, due to the profound respect and reverence I have for the subject matter. A read-through of this book definitely proves educational, as Chadha seems to capture all the facts surrounding Gandhi's extraordinary life. What is lacking is the passion and enthusiasm that fails to bound the reader to Gahndi's profound beliefs in Ahimsa/non-violence and the Satyagraha/soul-force resistance movement. Some highlights of the book are the extensive retelling of Gahndi's initial efforts in South Africa, his personal family life, and the well-researched background behind his assassins and the assassination. Gahndi's life is such a motivational influential epic that it's a shame to not have a biography to match it. This is a good book to read to learn about the historical facts surrounding Gahndi's life, but if you are looking to get to know his spiritual side and get caught up in his inspiration, the biography has yet to be written. I just wasn't enthralled with the writing. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an amazing record of the life of one of the most inspiring figures of the twentieth century, with over 300 photographs drawn from a comprehensive visual archive compiled over 12 years.

In one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, Mahatma Gandhi (18691948) effected tremendous political change and wielded enormous influence. His teachings on non-violence elevated him in the eyes of many to the status of a saint. Among those profoundly influenced by his philosophy of peaceful resistance was Martin Luther King Jr, who adopted Gandhi's methods in his own struggle for civil rights. In Peter Rhe's book, Gandhi's life is told by means of an extraordinary collection of nearly 300 photographs, many never seen before. These pictures document Gandhi's early life in India, his law studies in London, his work in South Africa, and his return to lead the struggle for Indian independence, which won him the title of 'father of the nation'. We can see the sweep of world politics and the struggles of the poor in the life of one man whose impact on the world is matched by few in the history of mankind. As Albert Einstein said: 'Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever inflesh and blood walked upon this earth.' ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Photographs of Mahatma Gandhi...
Excellent book, the photo-biography on Mahatma Gandhi the Father of India was a real pleasure to read and a wonderful account of his life told in pictures. One forgets that Mahatma Gandhi wanted India to be one nation-state and not divided into India and Pakistan, it was Nehru, Jinnah and the British that separated India. Granted there would have been problems, but they would have been under one nation-state and not two as there is between India and Pakistan today...

Magnificent!
This book is an amazing compilation of photographs, in chronological order, telling you about the life and philosophy of Gandhi. The pictures tell the story themselves and help you get a feeling of how things really were and the true magnitude of the movement for an independent India.

This is a difficult book to read.
This is a difficult book to read.

It is a difficult read, not because of the historical writing of Peter Ruhe, who has done a commendable job, nor because of the photo editing by Sophie Spencer-Wood, a top rate job indeed; but because the publisher, Phaidon Press, choose to print the text using a very small type with a recessive color using glossy paper. Sad, especially when you open to the text section and see there are 2 ½" top, 2 ½" left and 1 ½" bottom margins. Go figure. To make the matter worse under each photo caption, the publisher uses an even smaller type and in a tan color.

Phaidon Press failed to consider that the audience most likely to buy to this book, will be, by majority, mid-aged or older. Thus, they, like me, probably will need reading glasses. However, even with good reading glasses, the smallness of type, the faded black ink (on the verge of gray) and the glaring glossy paper made reading this book very strenuous and difficult.

That said, I found Peter Ruhe's writing balanced and refreshing. He chronologically lays out Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's life in an engaging, investigative manner. Ruhe is an admirer of Mahatma but not enamored enough to be a blind devote. He points out the times that Gandhi's belief in satyagraha (truth-force) blinded him. One such time, related to the evil of Nazi Germany, "Gandhi insisted that Hitler was merely misguided. In his mind the German leader could be dissuaded from further conquest by the power of reason or, if necessary, satyagraha". Though Gandhi had achieved mystical status, to Ruhe he was still a man, although, one of the world's greatest.

The 400 Black and White photos curated by Sophie Spencer-Wood are excellent They illustrate the time line of this great man's life. The reproduction of the photos is top rate, and this alone makes the book a worthy addition to any Mahatma Gandhi collection. Gandhi's body was cremated, January 31. 1948. The words of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, eulogize Gandhi even today, "the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, our beloved leader... the father of the Nation is no more." Recommended ... Read more

Reviews (3)

psychological perspective
you might want to read this book for his concept of psychosocial development of stages. but if you want to know about Gandhi, go find a different book.

Gandhi's Truth . . . plus 300 pages of other stuff
Gandhi's Truth is a psychoanalysis on Gandhi performed by the famed psychologist Erik Erikson. Although the psychoanalysis is done after Gandhi's death by a man who's never met him, I still think it could've been done effectively.

Unfortunately, Mr. Erikson spends half of the book going over himself. Why he wants to analyze Gandhi, how Gandhi is really very similar to Freud, and various ruminations on the inherent problems of getting to know the "other." Another quarter of the book is simply wasted on senseless words. Mr. Erikson seems to have real trouble using one word when thirty will do. The portion of the book that actually talks about Gandhi is solid and enjoyable. Too bad it makes up such a small portion of the book.

I have not read other books about Gandhi. Specifically, I haven't read his autobiography. Maybe it's just really dificult to get solid information on this incredibly famous man. Maybe Erikson included the sum of what was known about Gandhi in his work. Somehow, I doubt it.

I find Gandhi to be fascinating and I'm very interested in learning more about this impressive man. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong book to start with.

This text reviews the historical presence of Gandhi in India
I found this book very interesting, as well as culturally diverse. It gave me a whole new perspective into a world much different from my own. I learned that Mahatma Gandhi has profoundly influenced leaders that have been involved in nonvoilent liberation movements, such as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.. I now have a deep admiration for this abstruse, insightful man because Gandhi beleived that truth is always essential in the political arena. "Gandhi's Truth" is an introduction to the challenges of poverty, religious difference, and ethnic tensions we all must accept and try to deal with as we head into the everchanging 21st century. I strongly recommend this book to anyone involved in or wishing to study politics. Happy Reading! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gandhi close-up
This, by any standards, is a remarkable story of a remarkable man, and of course part of the history of India's struggle for independence. All this makes it a compelling read. Fischer details Gandhi's struggle against the South African government, and then the fight against British rule in India. But as important was the problem of Indian national identity - was there any such thing, and was the road to Partition inevitable?

I couldn't help but reflect that Britain was very fortunate in facing an adversary like Gandhi - the end of British rule might have been even more messy and bloody than it was had it not been for his influence. Could any other culture have produced a figure such as Gandhi, who recognised the damage that imperialism did both to India and to the British.

Fischer's biography was published originally in 1951, only three years after the death of Gandhi. This adds value to the work, not least because the author met Gandhi on a few occasions and was able to add accounts of these meetings enliven his book. To be fair, this is a much more balanced view of Gandhi than I expected. Although Fischer's writing comes close to the hagiographic at times, he manages largely successfully to avoid going over-the-top.

Perhaps what is lacking is a sense of distance and context. I was not looking for a biography which either attacked Gandhi or tried to debunk his reputation, but as he said himself, he was no saint. Perhaps a different biographer would have been able to assess Gandhi's role and influence (both in India and South Africa) more dispassionately.

But that is to quibble. This book is still well worth the read.

G Rodgers

A Great Book
Louis Fischer does his subject justice with a fine account of Gandhi's life. Despite the long duration of the Mahatma's struggle, the author keeps the book interesting pretty much throughout. Fischer's two first hand accounts of his meetings with Gandhi serve as a plesent break in the course of the book, giving it greater life, as well as providing a more personal insight into Gandhi. Thankfully the author remains well clear of blind adoration for the man, highlighting both his flaws and weaknesses. The only short coming is that the book was written before the rise of M.L. King and Nelson Mandela, thus fails to address the full influence Gandhi had and will have beyond India. Overall, I whole heartedly recommend this book of such an important subject, which was also the inspiration for the film. ... Read more

Book Description

A biography of Mahatma Gandhi, whose mission in life was to help the 350 million people of India free themselves from British rule. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive and balanced selection of Gandhi's writings, taken from his letters, articles, and books, represents the complete cross-section of his thought, from his early years as a young barrister freshly called to the London bar, to his final days as sage and counsel to newly independent India.The selection not only reveals the growth of Gandhi's ideas but also their essential internal integrity and consistency.Similarly, it illustrates the full facets of his personality: both acerbic and melancholic, gentle and forcefully intellectual, humourous and intensely demanding of his followers.Most of all, it reveals the deep humanity of the man and his rich vein of genuine spirituality.The Essential Writings shows Gandhi to have been both a contemplative ascetic mystic, as well as a man of action, revealing aspects of his thought and character that have previously been obscured, even to those who think they already know the Mahatma. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Author-illustrator Demi has created a simple, straightforward, andreverent biography of India's "great soul." So simple and factual, indeed, thatit might be a rather ordinary book, except for Demi's memorable,color-saturated, very Indian illustrations. We follow Gandhi from his hard,lonely education and apprenticeship in England and South Africa through thenationwide strike he led after the Amritsar massacre, to Independence and hiseventual assassination. No major milestone in his life is left out, and each isdealt with in a short paragraph (typically 50 words), on its own page withaccompanying illustration; 8 or 9 of these may want more substance. In between,however, this is an excellent introduction to the subcontinent's most famousson. (Ages 5 to 10) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Book Description

Inspired by Eknath Easwaran's celebrated biography Gandhi the Man, Our Gandhi lets children explore how Mahatma Gandhi transformed himself from a timid youth into one of the world's greatest spiritual leaders. Written as a series of short, read-aloud narratives, each piece helps children grasp the importance of inner strength and the need for a peaceful existence. Simple, heartfelt illustrations by children create a vivid picture of the man and his achievements and invite discussions by readers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A student inspired by Gandhi's transformation
This version of "Gandhi the Man," written for a younger audience, contains the essence and wisdom of its predecessor. I work as an educational therapist in a center that specializes in assisting students of all ages with their academic difficulties. Many of these students have mild to severe learning disabilities. One of my favorite students, a young black man of about twenty years of age with particularly severe problems in reading comprehension, was especially inspired by this book. His grandfather had been one of the bodyguards of Martin Luther King, Jr., and he knew that King had followed Gandhi's ideas. This young man also had many fears and he could well relate to the description of Gandhi as a child - awkward, shy, seemingly with no potential. After each page we read together, his homework assignment was to write a summary of the portion covered. This proved to be an excellent means for him to improve academically while receiving the needed inspiration to face the challenges in his life with courage. Easwaran's portrayal of Gandhi enables a person from any background to overcome his inner weaknesses and achieve his greatest potential. ... Read more

Book Description

1924. A biographical account of the man who became one with the universal being. Gandhi is considered the father of India and was an Indian nationalist and spiritual leader. The literal translation of Mahatma, the name which the people of India gave to Gandhi, is "the great soul." This word goes back to the Upanishads, where it is used in speaking of the Supreme Being, and through communion of knowledge and love, those who become one with Him. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is the biography of the woman in Mahatma Gandhi's life.The incredible woman known simply as "Ba" -- Mother, to millions of people in India, her story untold until now.Together since childhood she knew the flaws and human frailties of the man behind the legend.Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and his wife Sunanda, spent almost thirty years gathering the material for this book, which discloses personal facts and details never reported in any other Gandhi biography.Also contains never before published photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A moving story...
A good attempt by Arun Gandhi to tell the world more about *the woman* behind the succesful Man,Mahatma.But its more an account of Gandhiji's life and then and there he sheds light on Kasturbhai Gandhi which I am sure anybody would know by reading "My Experiments with Truth" by Gandhiji.But its still a good biography to read about the Gandhi family.

Very Insightful and informative
This is the first book I read that focuses on the life of Gandhi and Kasturba, and not on the political situations of the time. It talks more about how Gandhi and Kasturba handled different and often difficult decisions they made during their lifetime.

This book talks a lot about how Kasturba endured and supported Gandhi's extreme ideals ( simplicity of living at any cost).
It was a continuous struggle for her to strike a balance betn. following Gandhi's ideals and providing the best possible care and tutoring for her children.

The focus on truth at all costs (even at the cost of disowning their eldest child - Manilal) shines thru in this book.

An endearing and spellbinding work that reads like a novel.
"The Forgotten Woman" is an intimate and spellbinding portrayal of Kastur Gandhi and her husband, the Mahatma. From beginning to end this endearing and exquisitely detailed work reads like a novel and the author's admiration and affection for his grandparents permeates every page. Join little Mohan, a shy and sensitive boy, who is betrothed at the age of 13 to the equally youthful daughter of a wealthy Gujarati merchant. Witness the transformation of a timid lawyer into a fearless nonviolent warrior, determined to do nothing less than "to wipe every tear from every eye." Follow the adventures of a woman raised to be a traditional Hindu wife as she is subjected to the sacrifice and heartache of being wed to the unconventional, saintly experimenter, and see how their relationship joyfully blossoms into a selfless love affair that extends to all of humanity. You are treated to a comical scene where relatives and friends of the Gandhi's are outeaten by the one hundred and ten-pound man renown for his long fasts and strict diets. Aside from being thoroughly enjoyable, "The Forgotten Woman" fills an important void in the historical accounts of Gandhi's life: it documents the critical role his wife Kasturba played in creating the "Great Soul."

I wish there was more about Kastur
I liked this book, but there wasn't enough in it about Kastur. There are virtually no quotes by her in the whole book. It is mostly a narrative about the life of Mahatma and then talks about her in his life here and there. I still enjoyed it, though, as the story of their life and times is amazing and inspiring.

Wonderful Book
A wonderful and important book that tells the story of Kastur Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi. It is important that people know that Gandhi's wife played a part in helping to - peacefully - gain independence for India. I have met the authors and they are wonderful people. ... Read more

Book Description

This colorful book offers you a window into the world of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most amazing people of the twentieth century. You will learn about Gandhi’s life--from his time as a student in London to his work for equality in South Africa and India--and his methods of peaceful, but not passive, resistance to injustice.

Through engaging biography, activities inspired by Gandhi’s values and beliefs, and the words of Gandhi himself, Gandhi: India’s Great Soul will show you how to achieve your goals through persistence and persuasion rather than through violence and fighting. ... Read more

Book Description

Mohandas Gandhi grew up in India at a time when it was ruled by a foreign power--Great Britain. Gandhi fought against the injustice of British people by leading peaceful marches and protests. Many times he was imprisoned for his beliefs, but through his leadership, Britain was finally forced to hand over power. Gandhi became leader of India, and "father of his people." ... Read more

Book Description

Over the years I have discussed Gandhi with many Americans, both formally and informally. . . .What continues to irk me is the amount of Gandhi "propaganda material" that has flooded our libraries and bookstores.For an unsuspecting Westerner, the reading of Gandhi as he is portrayed on these shelves can bring about the intended result.That is understandable.This book is an attempt to close the gap between the popularized Gandhi and the historical Gandhi.This book will