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83rd out of 280 books
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320 voters
The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas
An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work & Ideas
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...more
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...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
November 12th 2002
by Vintage
(first published 1962)
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This book changed my life. It is by far the best biography I have ever read, but I think the unique format lends itself to that. While it is officially an anthology, the editor strung it in a way that Gandhi himself narrates the story. Drawing from all of Gandhi’s writings, this blend really makes up something special.
It is more than the fact that it is packed with a bunch of quotes you might find on dentist office posters or written on your mirror though (which there are plenty of that I will n...more
It is more than the fact that it is packed with a bunch of quotes you might find on dentist office posters or written on your mirror though (which there are plenty of that I will n...more
Such a simple philosophy on how to make the world better, adopt non-violence ('satyagraha'), renounce materiality, act on convictions and eradicate inequality, exploitation and idleness. I admire Gandhi not only because of his bold statements, his ability to inspire, his active resolve, his visionary perspectives and his articulate mind, but also because he was so humble in recognizing his own personal weaknesses. I found it so tragic that he was assassinated at a time when it seemed like all wa...more
This is an interesting book on Gandhi's perspectives and life's work, but not as good as his autobiographical "My Experiments With the Truth", which was more of a narrative and flowed much better. This book felt pastiched and scattered, though I did learn some things I didn't get from the aforementioned other work (e.g., he was adamantly against being called "Mahatma"). Overall, it's a worthwhile read, but I'd get "My Experiments" first if you're just getting into Gandhi.
Because this book is a collection of Gandhi's own writings it is occasionally somewhat confusing. The editor adds very little framing material so sometimes it is hard to follow. If you're looking for an introduction or a broad overview of Gandhi's life, start elsewhere. If you're adding to what you already know, this is a worthwhile read.
Apr 02, 2009
Megan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir-biographical,
non-fiction
Don't take my rating the wrong way. As I expected them to be the writings of Gandhi were overwhelming, and caused much introspection for me, but this particular compilation left much to be desired. The editing was poor, and it tended toward taking a paragraph here and there from different writings and pasting them together. I am always leery of writings pasted like this, often intentionally or unintentionally the original direction of the piece is cut away, leaving side notes or worse.
Read Gandh...more
Read Gandh...more
Great book. I knew very little about Ghandi before reading this. Found it at a library sale for 10 cents. Fischer takes you through Ghandi's life and philosophies using Ghandi's own words compiled from various writings.
It's a great introduction to both Ghandi's life and his ideas. Pretty easy reading, too.
It's a great introduction to both Ghandi's life and his ideas. Pretty easy reading, too.
This is an awesome resource for primary material (Gandhi's own writings). The book presents excerpts from multiple sources, both from his time in South Africa and in India, in what seems to be a mostly chronological order. The way it's written makes it easy to read, almost like a first person novel.
In terms of the content itself, Gandhi was brilliant and way ahead of his time.
In terms of the content itself, Gandhi was brilliant and way ahead of his time.
There are far too many ellipses in this book for my taste. The author/complier who was trying to convey Gandhi's ideas literally cobbled together quotes throughout the entire book. Having several sets of ellipses in just about every sentence was ridiculous. It leaves you wondering whether or not the quotes are being used in the proper context.
The author did provide fastidious footnotes for the quotes, but I really wouldn't want to have to check that many sources by hand. The reason I purchased t...more
The author did provide fastidious footnotes for the quotes, but I really wouldn't want to have to check that many sources by hand. The reason I purchased t...more
Jan 26, 2011
Hunter Johnson
added it
A broad overview of Gandhi's life and philosophy, in his own words. Editor Louis Fischer intersperses the passages with brief introductions or segues, to help the reader understand the historical setting. Worthwhile.
Love reading Gandhi's writings. I read this and MLK's autobiography around the same time. It was good to read both at the same time. Two very purposeful nonviolent leaders who changed the world near the same time.
Dec 09, 2011
Woodhen
is currently reading it
So much to take in - how does one even live a snippet of Gandhi's life? The more I read his letters, the more I realise how incredible he was and how much we need a Gandhi today, and how rare such people are.
Mar 27, 2008
+Chaz
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who is not afraid to step out side their box.
Recommended to +Chaz by:
Professor of peace and war, Kent State
If you read this book thinking that it will be an easy guide about life, you'll be disappointed if you even finish. Gandhi's thought provoking questions about humility and its dysfunctional response to the universal lack of, “The rule of law,” sends a clear message that even the Neanderthals would be hard pressed not too understand. Fischer attempt’s to capture the essential ideas of a man far more advance in human thought than almost any person alive at that time. His simple ideals transcend t...more
The editor invaded this book. I barely got through the first chapter because it felt so man-handled; molested, even. Th editing felt like such an insult to the idea of Gandhi. Gandhi wrote and spoke in the moment; that was how he practiced truth. I forget who edited this, but whoever did claimed to be an expert in Gandhi. If he was such an expert, how could he bring himself to do the exact opposite of what Gandhi strived to do? It was simply blasphemous.
I'd prefer to read Gandhi's "My experimen...more
I'd prefer to read Gandhi's "My experimen...more
I never knew that much about Gandhi's philosophy and history until I read this book, but I thought the way they outlined everything the book itself was a bit repetitive.
Gandhi's voluminous writings have been organized and condensed to read like an autobiography, and the numerous bracketed summaries and ellipses never let the reader forget that this book has been heavily edited.
Nevertheless, Gandhi in Gandhi's own words is a fascinating subject. He is fearless in his self reflection and is surprisingly candid about such personal topics as his sex life with his wife, his failures as a father, and his disappointments in leading India's nonviolence movement. As thr...more
Nevertheless, Gandhi in Gandhi's own words is a fascinating subject. He is fearless in his self reflection and is surprisingly candid about such personal topics as his sex life with his wife, his failures as a father, and his disappointments in leading India's nonviolence movement. As thr...more
a great read, learned so much about his time in South Africa tat really shaped his work in India and it's mostly in his own words
Jul 11, 2010
Isabella
marked it as to-read
I have read excerpts of this in my humanities class. Here I discovered, was enlightened to, the satyagraha, the soul rebel.
After an intense one year study of Gandhi, I have found that this book is the closest that one can get to getting into his head.
Everyone should read this. Part primary text written by Gandhi, part historical outlines provided to elaborate on each piece.
A great story about the man he was revealed through an engaging story within such an interesting historical context.
Like poetry! This book is one of my favorites! "Love governs the world" -Gandhi
Great collection of Gandhi's own writings and a little insight into an extraordinary man.
amazing man. good place to start to read his own words. careful--might change your world.
awesome, it is amazing how much power one person can have
I didn't know anything about Gandhi before, so I learned a lot about his life and philosophies, both of which were fascinating. I found much of his writing inspiring. I think the only problem with this book is that the editing is not as strong as it should be -- there were times when passages were repeated, and sometimes the chosen passages felt choppy together. Other times, things got repetitive. Still, it's a huge amount of information to condense into a manageable book for the average reader,...more
the best book on gandhi . period.
Changed my life...blessings
Inspirational
2
This really is the essential Gandhi. Starting out I kind of had pre-set ideas of Gandhi and his beliefs. This was great to read in its entirety. You see Gandhi's views change over his life and I love how he does not hold everyone to his personal standards, but inspires them to reach farther, and to become better. His undying faith in the goodness of humankind and the power to reach him or her through love is amazing and inspiring.
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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.
The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gu...more
More about Mahatma Gandhi...
The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gu...more
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“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”
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