In this fascinating and meticulously researched book, bestselling historian Arthur Herman sheds new light on two of the most univers... read full description
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Mar 20, 2009
Walter
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This is an epic book about two icons of history, esp. that of the 20th century. It links them in a way that I had not previously known as well as recounts their individual journeys compellingly and completely. Both emerge from the respectful treatment as more fully human - Gandhi revealed to be a leader whose followers often didn't and who had most of his protests turn out to be unsuccessful; Churchill revealed to have been bigoted, bullheaded and lucky (because he ascended to the Prime Minist
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Aug 12, 2011
Elliot
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History written as the acts of “Great Men” makes for fun reading, but inaccurate historiography. While the author is presumably from this school, these two erstwhile great men—Gandhi and Churchill—seem often wretched, delusional, dogmatic and odious. Their lives were intertwined with the fate of both India and Britain, but it is unclear who the hero is and who’s the villain at any time—massive blood on their hands. Churchill is a prejudiced imperialist; Gandhi a deluded idealist. Churchill callo
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Jul 27, 2010
Bluenose
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Just about any book about Churchill makes interesting reading. Gandhi I didn’t know much about – except for the adulatory movie. No, that’s not exactly true. Human Smoke, the odd pacifist history consisting of snippets from the period leading up to the American entry into WW II, has a lot of bits about Churchill (bloodthirsty warmonger) and Gandhi (man of peace and all round saint). I had just finished that book so I had a little bit of background.
This book casts the protagonists as s More...
This book casts the protagonists as s More...
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May 24, 2010
Geetha
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Gandhi and Churchill were among the most influential men of the 20th century, born within five years of each other 4000 miles apart. Though they met only once, their lives, values and goals would clash head-on several times. Arthur Herman writes a very readable book which includes not only the lives of these two Titans but incorporates also the history of the world during their lives – the two World Wars, the Depression and of course the fight for India’s independence.
The book clearly reve More...
The book clearly reve More...
Jul 13, 2009
Rishabh
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(written for another purpose)
I am no historian, or even a scholar who is well-versed in the material that this book concerns itself with. Therefore, this review is strictly a layman’s review.
Popular historian Arthur Herman in this book scripts parallel biographies of MK Gandhi and Winston Churchill, two titans of the last century, whose influence is indicated by their places as the runner-up to Person of the Century (1900 - 2000) and the Person of the Half Century (1900 – More...
I am no historian, or even a scholar who is well-versed in the material that this book concerns itself with. Therefore, this review is strictly a layman’s review.
Popular historian Arthur Herman in this book scripts parallel biographies of MK Gandhi and Winston Churchill, two titans of the last century, whose influence is indicated by their places as the runner-up to Person of the Century (1900 - 2000) and the Person of the Half Century (1900 – More...
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Mar 20, 2009
Jacob
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This is a fascinating (albeit lengthy, dense, and complex; an index of names to keep all the important players straight would've been greatly appreciated) history of two of the most famous people of the early Twentieth Century: Winston Churchill and Mohandas Gandhi, two hugely influential individuals, born thousands of miles apart, who only met once when both were powerless and unimportant but whose feud later in life over the future of India and the British Empire lasted decades and did almost
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Nov 23, 2010
Joy
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I'm not a big Arthur Herman fan - in fact, I had forgotten that I'd read another book of his. His writing style is hardly compelling, but at least he picked a subject that kept my interest. This dual biography does a good job at comparing/contrasting two major figures (kind of like a high school essay, only longer). He does some silly things like pointing out that they both had father issues (because there are so many people who don't), and he's definitely more pro-Empire and white man's burden
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Apr 01, 2011
Bob
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If you want to know everything about Gandhi and Churchill this is a great book. Using the theme of their conflict over India the author takes each man and traces their history from grandparents to death. It gives a very nuanced picture of both men’s strengths and weakness, their well know success and their lesser know failures. I was aware of many of Churchill’s failures and faults: Gallipoli, the partition of the Mideast, huge egotism but the book portrays all sides of these issues and the fa
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Dec 17, 2009
Jim
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Duel biography of Churchill and Gandhi putting special emphisis on the fight for Indian independence. Shows Churchill’s strength and weakness to be the same: steadfast resolve and issues as black and white only. Compares to Gandhi’s eccentricities and self examination. In the conflict each misjudged the other, missed opportunities to find solutions that could have prevented disaster, and became icons in their country without accomplishing their true goals. Churchill’s goal of reaffirming and pro
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May 26, 2011
Greg
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It's quite interesting how different contemporary historical figures have lives that are very similar in their arcs, and provide a unique way to compare and contrast two different cultures; the way the thematic elements in their lives came together, and the way that they diverged apart. Churchill and Gandhi were very different people, and yet they were at the forefront of two nations that had a very tightly integrated and yet disparate relationship.
Arthur Herman writes a largely engagi More...
Arthur Herman writes a largely engagi More...
Jan 15, 2010
Dave
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This book attracted me because I knew both of these men were very influential in molding our current age but I knew very little about them. They were born within 5 years of each other and devoted much of their lives to the situation in India - Churchill trying to preserve the British Empire and Gandhi trying to break India away from it.
I learned a lot from the book and hesitate to recommend it strongly to someone only because of its length. If there were an abridged version this woul More...
I learned a lot from the book and hesitate to recommend it strongly to someone only because of its length. If there were an abridged version this woul More...
May 17, 2009
Brian
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I liked this book. I gave me a better impression of what they were like and why. It also opened my eyes to the faults and foibles that we all have.
What I learned from this book is how popular opinion can shape people's opinions of historical figures. We often get the filtered view and we really have to dig in a bit more and form our own opinions. Granted you are still reading an opinion, but there are facts and quotes that can't be denied.
I always thought Gandhi might be More...
What I learned from this book is how popular opinion can shape people's opinions of historical figures. We often get the filtered view and we really have to dig in a bit more and form our own opinions. Granted you are still reading an opinion, but there are facts and quotes that can't be denied.
I always thought Gandhi might be More...
Jul 29, 2009
Brian
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A thorough analysis of two 20th Century icons who despite their glaring differences shared similar frustrations and setbacks. Their paths also intercrossed at various points in their histories before they became the well known figures of popular legend.
A well researched and detailed book, but it gets bogged down at times with the minutiae of local politics and minor political figures who come and go. The psychology and personal backstories of the two historical greats held my interes More...
A well researched and detailed book, but it gets bogged down at times with the minutiae of local politics and minor political figures who come and go. The psychology and personal backstories of the two historical greats held my interes More...
Mar 11, 2009
Susan
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This is a 600 page mouthful of historical clashes and as the title suggests, the downfall of the British Raj. These were the 2 most inspiring leaders of our time but they opposed each other and differed greatly in their vision, especially control of India.
Subtle, understated facts about Churchill: the only British politcian of his time to immediately detect that Hitler was sinister, took a keen interest in racial science (he passed a bill for involuntary sterlization of the mentally More...
Subtle, understated facts about Churchill: the only British politcian of his time to immediately detect that Hitler was sinister, took a keen interest in racial science (he passed a bill for involuntary sterlization of the mentally More...
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Jan 13, 2009
Jeff
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This was a skillfully written biography about two very interesting people who substantially shaped the politics of the 20th century.
The biggest message that I learned from this book is that their contributions were not necessarily positive, either one of them. People are fallible; great people are greatly fallible. Gandhi's campaigns, with the exception of perhaps the Salt Satyagraha, were almost exclusively failures (or at least, minor, ho-hum successes). This portion of the book More...
The biggest message that I learned from this book is that their contributions were not necessarily positive, either one of them. People are fallible; great people are greatly fallible. Gandhi's campaigns, with the exception of perhaps the Salt Satyagraha, were almost exclusively failures (or at least, minor, ho-hum successes). This portion of the book More...
Jun 05, 2011
John
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Another book to fill the gaps of my historical knowledge. The Middle East, Pakistan, India; we read the news everyday but wonder how things got to where they are? This book went a long way to filling me in historically. But beyond that, this was a great review of the conflicting motivations, successes and failures of these two giants. They both pursued ideals; but holes in their visions invited terrible consequences (forged our age). It is more than dry history. Who are their equals today?
Jun 02, 2011
Cellophane
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The great thing about this book is that while it does subscribe to the Great Man theory of history changers, Herman does NOT sugarcoat flaws or deify his subjects. These two men, so outwardly dissimilar and with opposing viewpoints on the India question (Churchill wanting to keep it a colony, Gandhi first wanting to continue as a part of the empire, then wanting independence) had startlingly similar careers. Once they came became the lions of their respective countries, they found themselves in
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Mar 29, 2011
Andrew
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Hard to believe that Ghandi and Churchill were worldwide figures only 60 years ago. This was a very good documentary showing the different upbringings and cultures and how they collided with both of these men head on in the 1900-1920's. Very different theories on life but ultimately they both were men that understood what they wanted and did a great job in getting others to follow.
Dec 07, 2009
Kamani
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The first 300 pages of the book describe the younger years; the influence of the father figure on each man; the way Indians were perceived in Britain at the time when the empire was at its peak; and the formative "colllege years" of both Gandhi & Churchill. These pages made up the most interesting part of the book. It started to drag towards the end, but that's bound to happen if you manage to push 700 pages through final edits.....part of the problem was I think as the men approached
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Feb 10, 2012
Josh
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Really well written history. Going into it I thought I'd dislike Churchill and admire Gandhi, but it turns out I have just the opposite feelings for these men. Aurthur Herman does a great job of balancing both lives, providing the history needed for the reader of the events surrounding the late 19th century and after the second World War, while still keeping a clear focus on India and the goals of these two men. I'm not an avid reader of history but this book kept me enthralled throughout.
Jun 13, 2009
Andrew
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i loved this book, very revealing portrait of political turmoil throught the first half of the 20th century,
and also great notes on the two individuals who along with Hitler, Stalin and Roosevelt, helped shape our world during that time..
many surprising notes about G and C and their personalities and beliefs, from reliable sources...
Herman's portrayal of WC is really not that flattering, but I think realistic, the man had his faults, like us all, but was able to rise,
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and also great notes on the two individuals who along with Hitler, Stalin and Roosevelt, helped shape our world during that time..
many surprising notes about G and C and their personalities and beliefs, from reliable sources...
Herman's portrayal of WC is really not that flattering, but I think realistic, the man had his faults, like us all, but was able to rise,
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Jan 09, 2009
Sarah
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I hated the subject of history in school because it was presented as a timeline of facts to be memorized. This book gives the big picture within which Gandhi and Churchill were set. As you follow their lives, you get a grasp of what was happening in the world, as well as why. Very enlightening and an enjoyable read!
Jul 21, 2011
Kelly
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It is an epic history of Churchill and Ghandi, and illustrates how they lead parallel lives even though they wanted completely different things. They were both fascinating men, but most definitely not infallible. However, I have great respect for both of them and that they stuck to their core values through good times and bad. It is rare to find a man made that way, ever.
If you want to learn about India in depth and these two men, this is worth a read.
If you want to learn about India in depth and these two men, this is worth a read.
Apr 15, 2011
Maeve
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This parallel biography centering on India is illuminating of this period and these personalities that influenced it's fate. Gandhi and Churchill had shockingly similar life events and investigating their lives in parallel shifts the perspective and shows us new ideas about these two epic figures.
Feb 15, 2010
Chris
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Fascinating! One authors' point of view but still, much insight into the politics involved and the beginning of the end of The British Empire. India was considered the "Crown Jewel" of The Empire.
Sep 11, 2009
Betty
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A 613 page book that is slow at times. He writes of the common ground and extreme opposite characteristics of these two men,and how they shaped two nations.
Sep 13, 2009
Stephen
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Although I found the parallels between the two men's lives a bit forced, this was a fascinating look at two individuals whose personalities and beliefs have significantly shaped a large part of today's world.
I always blamed the English (and French) for the mess in the Middle East since WWI, but who knew Churchill was the one who drew the map that created Iraq? And Gandhi's actions (or lack of) hugely impacted Muslim/Hindu relations in India that led to the breakaway creation of Pakistan i More...
I always blamed the English (and French) for the mess in the Middle East since WWI, but who knew Churchill was the one who drew the map that created Iraq? And Gandhi's actions (or lack of) hugely impacted Muslim/Hindu relations in India that led to the breakaway creation of Pakistan i More...
Jan 04, 2009
Sarah Jane
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Well-written and juicy compared with your average dry historical nonfiction. I learned something new on every page, and actually enjoyed it.
Mar 27, 2009
Travis
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This is a large book - I'll never finish it, but it has been an exciting historical read. I think at another time this will be a fun read.
Feb 26, 2011
Deborah
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Couldn't get through it. Too boring. Both Gandi and Churchill come off as politically driven with little else driving them.
