What Would Gandhi Do?: Penguin Specials

by Michael Kirby

Regarded as the Father of the Nation in India and globally as the most successful exponent of nonviolent civil disobedience, Mahatma Gandhi is known as a symbol of wisdom and compassion. Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, himself a tireless advocate for non-discrimination and human rights, here shows the applicability of Gandhi's views on some of the world's most pressing current issues: women's rights, climate change, animal rights and sex and sexuality.

Adapted from Kirby's 2013 University of New South Wales Gandhi Oration, What Would Gandhi Do? shows how remarkably useful Gandhi's insights remain when confronting the world's challenges.

'Cut[s] to the heart of the holy man's ideas and also provide[s] some wisdom for a modern audience.' Daily Telegraph

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, India, Gender

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at Gandhi's take on some key issues: sex and sexuality, women's rights, climate change and animal rights. A lot of his beliefs and thoughts are still relevant today and resonate quite strongly, and though some may be a little outdated, it shows how insightful Gandhi really was that much of what he taught and practised in his life can still be applied to our lives today. There was a very interesting reference too to Gandhi's own sexuality which would be interesting to explore further. A quick but thought provoking read.

[Annalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, wise and insightful. It's too short - just an essay, really - leaving you wanting much, much more!

If politicians approached problems in this way, the world would be a wonderful place!

[Caitlyn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be an enlightening view on the life and teachings of Gandhi. It revealed a human side of this great thinker that I had not been aware of. Michael Kirby did well to cover, if only briefly, many different topics for which Gandhi has strong opinions on.

[Maej · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this one up at a public book library - what a lovely find. I enjoyed Kirby’s application of current world issues to Gandhi’s philosophies. Insightful, short read.

[Lyn Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy read, this is the text of an oration given by Kirby on Ghandi. Kirby chose four themes to which Ghandi's thought and actions could be applied: status of women, climate change, animals and sex and sexuality. Some of the connections are a bit stretched, as with climate change, where Kirby draws on Ghandi's views on modest living, minimum consumption and respect for all creation.
As always, Kirby's own views are clearly expressed.
I enjoyed it, read in about an hour or less.

[Sarah loves books 😻😻😻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat overview of Gandhi's life and is a good follow up if you have read his autobiography. Not impressed by chapter on sexuality but women's rights and climate change were great. A short quick read, 4 stars.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read, but seemed a bit vague at points...

[Kate Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but nothing spectacular.

[Kylie Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have said, this is a fantastic essay. A 45 minute read. As an essay, I'd give it an A+, as a book though, a 3.5 out of 5 stars.