- Paperback: 672 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; (Reissue) edition (4 Aug 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006388876
- ISBN-13: 978-0006388876
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11.2 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
137,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #42 in Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Indian Subcontinent
- #62 in Books > Biography > Religious > Islam
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Product Description
Product Description
This is a biography of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). He led the fight for Indian independence from British rule, who tirelessly pursued a strategy of passive resistance, and who was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic only a few months after independence was achieved.
From the Back Cover
Louis Fischer's memorable biography of Mahatma Gandhi, the man who led the fight for Indian independence and Gandhi's assassination by a Hindu fanatic only a few months after freedom from colonial rule was won.
Fischer was an American journalist who knew Gandhi well and understood his unique strategy of 'satyagraha', or passive resistance, which earned him the admiration of millions throughout the world. On his death, Albert Einstein wrote: 'Gandhi had demonstrated that a powerful human following can be assembled not only through the cunning game of the usual political manoeuvres and trickeries but through the cogent example of a morally superior conduct of life. In our time of utter moral decadence he was the only statesman to stand for a higher human relationship in the political sphere.'
'One of the best books ever written on Gandhi'
TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT
'Gandhi was not only a saint, he was a humorist. The two are not often in combination, but when they are, the creature is invincible. Louis Fischer really explains Gandhi.'
PEAL BUCK
'Equally successful in presenting the world figure with a cure for the world's woes and the plain little man with the kind look and smile.'
THE TIMES
'Generous and conscientious…You feel Gandhi would have liked it that way.'
NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE
'The best biography of Gandhi…I was enthralled from the first page…it changed my life.'
SIR RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This, by any standards, is a remarkable story of a remarkable man, and of course part of the history of India's struggle for independence. All this makes it a compelling read. Fischer details Gandhi's struggle against the South African government, and then the fight against British rule in India. But as important was the problem of Indian national identity - was there any such thing, and was the road to Partition inevitable?
I couldn't help but reflect that Britain was very fortunate in facing an adversary like Gandhi - the end of British rule might have been even more messy and bloody than it was had it not been for his influence. Could any other culture have produced a figure such as Gandhi, who recognised the damage that imperialism did both to India and to the British.
Fischer's biography was published originally in 1951, only three years after the death of Gandhi. This adds value to the work, not least because the author met Gandhi on a few occasions and was able to add accounts of these meetings enliven his book. To be fair, this is a much more balanced view of Gandhi than I expected.
I couldn't help but reflect that Britain was very fortunate in facing an adversary like Gandhi - the end of British rule might have been even more messy and bloody than it was had it not been for his influence. Could any other culture have produced a figure such as Gandhi, who recognised the damage that imperialism did both to India and to the British.
Fischer's biography was published originally in 1951, only three years after the death of Gandhi. This adds value to the work, not least because the author met Gandhi on a few occasions and was able to add accounts of these meetings enliven his book. To be fair, this is a much more balanced view of Gandhi than I expected.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Louis Fischer does his subject justice with a fine account of Gandhi's life. Despite the long duration of the Mahatma's struggle, the author keeps the book interesting pretty much throughout. Fischer's two first hand accounts of his meetings with Gandhi serve as a plesent break in the course of the book, giving it greater life, as well as providing a more personal insight into Gandhi. Thankfully the author remains well clear of blind adoration for the man, highlighting both his flaws and weaknesses. The only short coming is that the book was written before the rise of M.L. King and Nelson Mandela, thus fails to address the full influence Gandhi had and will have beyond India. Overall, I whole heartedly recommend this book of such an important subject, which was also the inspiration for the film.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is superb. I have read several books about the Mahatma and this is far and away the finest. It is beautifully and sensitively written with plenty of detail which is always fascinating - I couldn't put it down. It is thanks to this book that Sir Richard Attenborough made the film and he himself said it was "the best biography of Gandhi". What more praise do you need?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
project material
Said to be the best biography of Gandhi. I cannot disagree
Usual great Amazon service
Thank you
Usual great Amazon service
Thank you
Published 13 months ago by Mrs. M. S. Scattergood
A Fine Biography
Louis Fischer has produced a fine biography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 1948). Ghandhi was a pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian... Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. D. Jenkins
Genuinely brilliant
A fantastic book. Never afraid to show Gandhi's human sides, such as turning up to court in South Africa with a collar covered in starch and his often tricky relationship with his... Read more
Published 14 months ago by philwint
A comprehensive overview.
This book offers a detailed overview of Gandhi's whole life. It talks briefly about his teenage years and time in England. Read more
Published 18 months ago by R316
i'm glad Mr Fischer met the Great Mahatma Gandhi
The author's intimate knowledge and profound research into the life of this great man is expressed in a most eloquent and simple prose that makes this biography a book very easy to... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2007 by E. Lucas
An example in an open, honest life
This book shows very clearly Gandhi's dedication to peaceful protest, spiritual development and open, honest living. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2006 by Spider Monkey
Greatness of the man
Very informative book. If you are interested in knowing about the Mahatma and what made this man click with the millions across a country, this is a good starting point. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2005
Very highly recommended
This is easily one of the finest authobiographies about Mahatma Ghandi. It is written with considerable skill and sensitivity, giving readers a very realistic and fascinating... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2003 by Varuni
Excellent account of Mahatmaji's life - recommended
Recently, I visited Ghandhinagar in Gujarat where I found that the people still have a high regard for "Gandhiji" - I decided to find out more from Louis Fischer's excellent... Read more
Published on 21 July 2001 by EFMOL
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