The Essential Writings

by Mahatma Gandhi, Judith M. Brown (Editor)

Mahatma Gandhi was a profound and original thinker as well as one of the most influential figures in the history of the twentieth century. A religious and social reformer, he became a notable leader in the Indian nationalist movement, made famous for his advocacy of non-violent civil resistance. His many and varied writings are essentially responses to the specific challenges he faced, and they show his maturing ideas and political will, as well as his spirituality and humanity, over several decades.

This new selection demonstrates how his thinking was truly radical, dealing with problems from the roots upwards: in the lives of individuals, of societies, and of political structures. It underlines the supreme importance of non-violence, and Gandhi's unique and unrealized vision of a new India after the departure of the British.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, India, History

464 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2008

About the author

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 Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes. A lifelong opponent of "communalism" (i.e. basing politics on religion) he reached out widely to all religious groups. He became a leader of Muslims protesting the declining status of the Caliphate. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, and above all for achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from British domination. His spiritual teacher was the Jain philosopher/poet Shrimad Rajchandra.

Reviews

[Jiwoonglee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that all the people related to goverment and education must read. Religious part would be bit specific but it was great time to enjoy and get to know about him by reading this comprehensive book. Many thanks to the editor ;)

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the first two sections. I liked reading about Gandhi's influences but had some issues with his ideas about how individuals should live there lives, and I don't think I have much interest in reading more since this was all I needed for the class.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book interesting in it's ability to show us a Gandhi I was not as familiar with as I thought.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a haphazard compilation of various excerpts from Gandhi's writings. It is loosely organized based on subject matter, but it's chronologically all over the place, which leaves a confusing impression on the reader who is reading straight through (or attempting to, as I did XD). The result gives a very muddled impression on the timeline of Gandhi's development of his ideas, and much of the passages are extremely repetitive. Additionally, I found the notes not nearly as useful as they could have been, as they merely explain the basic historical context and almost never nothing more. For those greatly interested in Gandhi's ideas and who would like a reference book containing the highlights of his writing, this suffices but isn't actually "essential". For everyone else, skip.