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The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas | 
 enlarge | Authors: Mahatma Gandhi, M.k.gandhi, Gandhi
Creator: Louis Fischer
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
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New (49) Used (24) from $6.07
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 14534
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 1400030501
Dewey Decimal Number: 954.035092
EAN: 9781400030507
ASIN: 1400030501
Publication Date: November 12, 2002
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Condition: BRAND NEW
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Product Description
Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma (“great soul”), was the father of modern India, but his influence has spread well beyond the subcontinent and is as important today as it was in the first part of the twentieth century and during this nation’s own civil rights movement. Taken from Gandhi’s writings throughout his life, The Essential Gandhi introduces us to his thoughts on politics, spirituality, poverty, suffering, love, non-violence, civil disobedience, and his own life. The pieces collected here, with explanatory head notes by Gandhi biographer Louis Fischer, offer the clearest, most thorough portrait of one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has known.
“Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. . . . We may ignore him at our own risk.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
With a new Preface drawn from the writings of Eknath Easwaran
In the annals of spirituality certain books stand out both for their historical importance and for their continued relevance. The Vintage Spiritual Classics series offers the greatest of these works in authoritative new editions, with specially commissioned essays by noted contemporary commentators. Filled with eloquence and fresh insight, encouragement and solace, Vintage Spiritual Classics are incomparable resources for all readers who seek a more substantive understanding of mankind's relation to the divine.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 outstanding and inspirational December 3, 2008
Wow! This is such an inspirational book! I'm chagrined that I hadn't read it before. In this book, Ganhi's thoughts, experiments, approaches that resulted in the coming together of millions of people, guiding them to not just a more enlightened spiritual being, but, like most great religious leaders, moving them toward [political] justice. Brilliant read. Perhaps because of the interpretation or the shear brilliance of the man, I found this book to be a much slower read than many books. As one with an interest in personal - spiritual growth as well as political movements, this was an outstanding book for me. I was surprised to read about his relationships with his children. I couldn't give this a rating any lower than A+.
Great book a must for anyone September 21, 2008
This book is one that will change your life. Gandhi's view on non violent protest really changed the way people could stand up for their rights without violent actions. In the words of Gandhi "a violent action in nature elicits a violent response but a non violent action...."
It is Essential! July 6, 2008
I have been researching Gandhi for a number of years, so I can claim some expertise in evaluating this book. Simply put, I am not sure why I didn't get to it earlier, as it is a superior collection of Gandhi's writings, blended in skillfully with some of Fischer's own writings about Gandhi. This anthology goes beyond mere collection in that it also is organized with attention to telling the story of Gandhi's life chronologically. If you know the story of Gandhi well, this book will capture some of the rare gems of Gandhi's thought, as well as his controversial ideas. If you don't know Gandhi's life story yet, start with Fischer's Gandhi: His Life and Message to the World, a short, concise summary. The Essential Gandhi succeeds in being just that: a treasury of thought of one of the most important men of the past century.
Well organized, inspiring June 8, 2008
I've read a total of 3 books about Mahatma Gandhi, all of them stemming from his own writings. This is the best out of those three books.
It is well organized and takes the most crucial parts of his writings and puts them in an order that is coherent and easy to read. The notes by the editor also make it easy for someone who does not know the whole history surrounding Gandhi's plight. She sets the setting and environment with each chapter making sure the reader knows what is going on regardless of their previous knowledge of the situation.
This is why I always suggest this book to anyone who wants to start learning about this amazing man. It is very inspirational, and I have highlighted and reflected on quite a few passages. This is one of my most lent books since everyone hears about and references this man, but very few actually know anything about him.
This is the best book to allow people to be introduced to his ideas and beliefs.
 gandhi as a philosopher April 11, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The format of this book is a little unusual, it's basically an abridged version of Gandhi's writings, supplimented with editorial comments which set the scene for when and where his statements are coming from. If you're not entirely familiar with Gandhi's life or some of the basic aspects of Indian culture at the time, these editorial comments are very helpful. For example, just before some statements about Gandhi's use of the Gita (around page 160) the editor gives a brief summary of the what the Gita is.
Moving on from the basic format, I found this book very enlightening, and not in the way that other reviewers seem to have. I doubt very much that I'm in a position to change anyone's opinion on him, but I ask that if you buy this book, look closely at the ways in which Gandhi supports his claims. Oftentimes he makes grand statements and then leaves them in the air, unsupported. This is not in an of itself a bad thing, as sometimes the truth value of a statement is obvious to the casual observer, but then again sometimes it is not.
Gandhi was certainly a great leader, but I think it's stretching to call him a great philosopher. His ideas were not new, even if the grand-scale application of them was. He seeks truth but seems largely unconcerned with methodology, which undermines the grand statements he makes.
If you do read this book critically, it may help to keep in mind persuasive techniques, even beginner things like appealing to authority. Watch for strange analogies, as in page 168's equating atoms to people and Love to hydrogen/ionic/covalent bonds.
It probably seems a little weird to hear someone object to the methodology of someone like Gandhi, but these days we have to be aware of the methods by which the people around us seem convincing, whether we like what they're saying or not.
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