Legacy of Love: My Education in the Path of Nonviolence

by Arun Gandhi

Called a messenger of peace, Arun Gandhi -- Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson -- has dedicated his life to spreading his grandfather’s teachings around the globe. This compelling memoir begins in the heart of apartheid South Africa where the author lived under conditions of zealous racism until he was 12 years old. Following are the two pivotal years he spent with his grandfather in India, learning the lessons that would undo his anger and cultivate a profound activism. His account also describes living with his parents in religious and socially activist communities in South Africa and India. This book presents the practical wisdom the author learned from his grandfather revolving around family, men and women, simplicity, religious unity, humility, truth, and nonviolence.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Autobiography, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Arun Gandhi is the author of picture books and the adult memoir Legacy of Love: My Education in the Path of Nonviolence, all of which were inspired by his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi. Arun Gandhi lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written, it is a decent book. But put into action, it is changing my life.

[Mary]

"'Change is possible if we have the desire and the commitment to make it happen.'"
"We are surrounded by many things that were once considered to be impossible, things that we now take for granted. These things have become part of our lives because someone refused to accept the common wisdom. If this is possible in the material and technological sense, it is equally possible in the moral sense... Beginning with ourselves, we must cause positive change to radiate out into the world. We need a change of heart, a change of perceptions, and a change of attitude, which we can then pass on to others through education, enlightenment and love."

[Leslie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and easy read. It tells of ways we can better ourselves and to better the world with our insights to living a better life with others

[A, C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arun Gandhi is a grandson of the late civil rights leader Mohandas Gandhi. He grew up in both South Africa and India, Legacy of Love recollects Arun's life with his grandfather and learning from both his teachings and simply living with him. They contain stories of how young Arun came to learn what nonviolence really means, and how to practice it, along with how to contain your anger and control it, turning it into nonviolent actions.

One day when Arun is little he steals a box of chocolates his father brought home and eats them all. As a punishment for doing so, the whole family was not allowed to eat chocolate for three months. Even disciplining children was done nonviolently, showing them that when one person does something bad, everyone is affected. Many powerful moments about controlling anger are recollected by Arun as well. For example, one day his grandfather says to him, "Remember that being humble does not mean giving in and allowing yourself to be bullied. Humility means giving respect. You will have respect in return to the extent that you give it to others." I enjoyed reading this book because, like my grandfather's book: A White Preacher's Memoir, I had heard about most of the stories in the book (Arun being a family friend), and this book gave me a great insight into what his life was actually like, and it is amazing. I have a list of books that I believe are "books you should read before you die," and this just went on it. Mostly because it gives a great insight, as I had said before, and also because it taught me a lot, and it can teach everyone a lot.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took forever to get going on...even though it is quite short. Arun Ghandi is Mahatma Ghanhi's grandson, and it talks about his teachings and how they affected the life of his family. I always understood the part about physical violence, but this talked alot about the role that passive violence plays in our lives. It was interesting. Still don't think i could have a remotely intelligent conversation on the subject, but it was a start in my understanding.

[Dametra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I must agree there was some values to take from this book. I like the end of the book the most, maybe because it provided more insight to me. Also it explains Ghandi and nonviolence in a narrative form and it gave more of a realistic view since the author is kin to Ghandi, it made it all the better. Short read, but took me a minute to read because I wanted to analyze and reflect on the important points featured in the book.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandma arranged for this Arun Gandhi (Gandhi's nephew) to give a speech, which is how I cam in contact with his book, which I otherwise probably wouldn't ahve ever heard of. i really liked it and found it a great companion to Gandhi's ideas and would recommend it to anyone interested in religion, non violence, or Martin Luther King

[Julie Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A narrative way to explain Gandhi's way of nonviolence.

[Amy Terhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written by Gandhi's grandson. It was a beautiful telling of his life and lessons from one of the worlds greatest teachers of peace.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful short stories that provide us life lessons as told through the experiences of Gandhi's grandson.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't whip yr kids. be nice instead. really though, the last chapter, "The Spinning Wheel" was probably the most insightful part of the book.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Arun Gandhi learned from his grandfather, the Mahatma. Wonderful stories!

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned more about Ghandhi. I have even more respect, especially for him as a family man and a grandfather.

[Liresansfrontiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book which makes you think

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you think twice about the way you react to others.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a totally mind-expanding book for me. I read (and was really frustrated with)Gandhi's autobiography, but this was such a better narrative of his life and distillation of his principles. I have never written down more quotes from a book.

Arun Gandhi assumes readers will have a decent background knowledge of Gandhi and his work in India and South Africa, so knowing some context will definitely be helpful.