Description
Book SynopsisMahatma Gandhi, through his indomitable will and selfless determination transformed himself into a model of courage and integrity for India''s people to emulate in their non-violent struggle for political power. More than half a century after his death, Gandhi continues to inspire millions throughout the world. Yet modern India seems to have abandoned much of his non-violent vision, joining the nuclear arms race. Inspired by recent events in India, Stanley Wolpert offers this subtle and profound biography of India''s ''Great Soul''.Wolpert compellingly chronicles the life of Mahatma Gandhi from his early days as a child of privilege to his humble rise to power and his assassination at the hands of a man of his own faith. This trajectory, like that of Christ, was the result of Gandhi''s passion: his conscious courting of suffering as the means of reaching divine truth. From his early campaigns to end discrimination in South Africa to his leadership of a people''s revolution to end the B
Trade Review"The fruit of more than 50 years of reflection by a distinguished Asian scholar, Wolpert's biography cuts through the misconceptions surrounding the father of modern India, untangling the complex relationship between his personal spirituality and his public influence."--Booklist "A dense, comprehensive survey of the events of Gandhi's life, tracing his metamorphosis from pampered child to 'great soul'....A clear-eyed chronicle of an exemplary life....Appropriately complex biography, deftly maintaining a balance of sophistication and explication."--Kirkus Reviews "In reminding us of the details of his extraordinary life, Stanley Wolpert has done the Mahatma--and all of us--a signal service."--The Washinton Post Book World "There have been many books about Gandhi, including those by the subject himself. What has always been needed is a full, literate account by someone closely familiar with India and Indian history who is also an accomplished writer and historian. This, we now have. Henceforth no one can claim knowledge of one of the greatest and most enigmatic figures of the last century who hasn't read it. And, I might add, no one will read it without interest and approval."--John Kenneth Galbraith "An excellent introduction to the work of the most compelling of 20th century leaders."--The Christian Century "[Wolpert] presents what many other biographers have failed to supply: a rationale for the indisputably great leader's seeming inconsistencies."--The Associated Press
Table of ContentsI. Midnight in Calcutta ; II. Dawn in Gujarat ; III. The Impact of Victorian London ; IV. Brief Interlude at Home ; V. Early Traumas and Triumphs in South Africa ; VI. Between Two Worlds ; VII. Satyagraha in South Africa ; VIII. Victory Through Suffering ; IX. The Impact of World War I ; X. Post-War Carnage and Nationwide Satyagraha ; XI. Cotton Spinning ; XII. Rising of the Poison ; XIII. The Road Back to Satyagraha ; XIV. The Salt March and Prison Aftermath ; XV. From Prison to London and Back ; XVI. Imprisoned Soul of India ; XVII. Return to Rural Uplift ; XVIII. Prelude to War and Partition ; XIX. War and Peaceful Resistance ; XX. War Behind Bars ; XXI. No Peace ; XXII. Walking Alone ; XXIII. Freedom's Wooden Loft ; XXIV. Great Soul's Death in Delhi ; XXV. His Indian Legacy ; XXVI. His Global Legacy ; Notes ; Bibliography ; Index
