Gandhi (Brief Insights)

Past Masters (Oxford)

by Bhikhu C. Parekh

Gandhi (1869–1948) was one of the few men in history to fight simultaneously on moral, religious, political, social, economic, and cultural fronts—and to succeed in his struggle. Bhikhu Parekh offers a brief but focused look into Gandhi’s life and thought, outlining his major philosophical insights, cosmocentric anthropology, spiritual view of politics, and theories of oppression, nonviolent action, and active citizenship. He also considers how Gandhi’s success was limited by his lack of coherent theories of evil and of state and power, and how his hostility to modern civilization impeded his appreciation of its complexity.

 

Genres: Nonfiction

181 pages, Hardcover

First published December 11, 1997

About the author

Bhikhu Chotalal Parekh is an eminent political theorist in Britain and an active member in the House of Lords. During his tenure, he has contributed immensely towards societal changes that were once a major cause of concern to Britain's culture in the early 70's.

He was born in a small hamlet known as Amalsad in the state of Gujarat to a middle class family. He enrolled into Mumbai University to earn his degree and masters before Bhiku went on to pursue his studies from London School of Economics. He completed his Ph.D. in the year 1966.

He has pioneered many concepts on multiculturalism, collective rights and responsibility and other socio-cultural issues that have influenced the governance in UK. Commonly addressed as Lord Bhiku, he has worked to bring about a noninterventionist and tolerant political view where people of different ethnicities could live in harmony. It was through his ideologies and his unrelenting dedication towards his work that he managed to bring a significant understanding of Indian culture on a global platform. During his lifetime, he has been conferred with a number of awards such as the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize, Distinguished Global Thinker Award, Padma Bhushan, etc. by many international forums.

Reviews

[Tim Weakley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is deceptively slim. In slightly over one hundred pages it tries, and succeeds fairly well, to give us a look at the life of Mohandas Gandhi. The author divides the book up into a look at his career, his political ideology, his religious beliefs, and a general summation.
I found that the book left you wanting more. It was very well written. I was left with the feeling, however, that the author thought Gandhi either too good, or too naive for the world we live in. Granted his ideas were born in the small village communities that Gandhi preferred to the larger modern cities. His ideas worked in the small. I think that if Gandhi had been born thirty years later his world would have moved past his abilities to affect and change his surroundings. The author seems to agree with this point of view.
A good read!

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this little bargain book hoping to find a concise biographical sketch of the Mahatma, whose books I've been studying. The first chapter gave me that, after which I was amazed to find essays on Gandhi's thought and life and work that are profoundly sensitive and philosophically and culturally informed. Parekh is both critical and appreciative and writes beautifully. I want to read more of him.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been running into quotes from Gandhi that I found inspirational and wanted to learn more about him.

This was a perfect short book to review the life and philosophy of Gandhi. It provided a lot of information and also made me want to read a more in-depth biography in the future.

I particularly enjoyed the sections on philosophy/spirituality and Gandhi's theory of human nature.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format and design of this series is divine, and the content - arranged well and interesting.

I especially enjoyed the approach to Gandhi's various life philosophies: Critique of Modernity and the Vision of a Nonviolent Society.

Recommended for reports, personal growth and fun!

A Brief Insight is a fantastic new series and I am looking forward to picking up their copy on Buddhism.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it! If you enjoy learning about the lives of others, this is an excellent book. I found it interesting that many of Gandhi's theories are similar to my own, though taken from a slightly different angle. The words in this book made me think and ask myself questions. I highly recommend it to my friends and any person who wants to learn more, do more, and be more.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. While I learned a lot about Gandhi-the book read more like a text book than a biography. A pretty boring read about a very interesting man.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many tomes have been written about Gandhi however this sliver of a bibliography is packed with good insight into a complex man