Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Ideas

by Charles Freer Andrews, Arun Gandhi

An intimate biography of one of the greatest social and religious reformers of the modern world. "Gandhi's work in nonviolence was comprehensive and not simply confined to politics or human rights. It was about building positive relationships based on respect, understanding, acceptance and appreciation. It was about eliminating exploitation of all kinds and creating harmony."
―from the Foreword by Dr. Arun Gandhi , cofounder of the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence Mohandas Gandhi (1869–1948) was one of the most important and influential social and religious reformers of the past century, spending his life striving for justice, peace and equality among countries, races and classes. His ideas and ideals have inspired generations of activists―from Martin Luther King Jr. to Vaclav Havel―and acted as catalysts for change in every corner of the globe. In this intimate biography, Charles ("Charlie") Andrews-Englishman, Anglican priest, and a close friend and colleague of Gandhi's in both South Africa and India―explores the life and times of this great soul, providing fascinating insight into the spiritual, political and historical environment that affected Gandhi, playing key roles in the development of his thought and action. Mahatma His Life and Ideas uses letters, personal reminiscences and excerpts from Gandhi's many published and private writings to paint a vivid and accessible portrait of the personality and spirit of one of the most prominent figures in Indian―and world―history. This updated edition showcases a new foreword about the continuing impact and importance of Gandhi's message today, written by Dr. Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson and cofounder of the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2003

About the author

Charles Freer Andrews (12 February 1871 – 5 April 1940) was a Church of England priest. A Christian missionary, educator and social reformer in India, he became a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and identified with the cause of India's independence. He was instrumental in convincing Gandhi to return to India from South Africa, where Gandhi had been a leading light in the Indian civil rights struggle.

C. F. Andrews was affectionately dubbed Christ's Faithful Apostle by Gandhi, based on his initials, C.F.A. For his contributions to the Indian Independence Movement Gandhi and his students at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, named him Deenabandhu, or "Friend of the Poor".

Reviews

[Sivamaniyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to Charlie on the primary issues, Gandhi's soul-force/Ahimsa/Satyagraha strived to achieve in the order below

>> Surgically remove excrescence called Untouchability from Hinduism

>> Prohibition of Liquor and Drugs

>> Empowering the suppressed Women

>> Hindu Muslim unity

>>Swaraj through self non-cooperation/ passive resistance/ Kaddhar movement through self-employment by spinning-wheel



The debate on Non-Violence between Gandhi and Tagore

on burning foreign cloths between Charlie and Gandhi

On Arts Tagore's student Ramachandran are captivating.

Gandhi is a poet not in words but in deeds

[MR STEPHEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but significant.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book introduced me more clearly to a lot of Gandhi's closely held beliefs, but it got really hard to read at times (dull or repetitive), and it also expected me to know the history of India's struggle with British rule better than I did. Part of that is that the book was first published 2 decades before Gandhi's assassination, so it wasn't history at that point, it was current events.
I learned very much to respect Gandhi's belief that Ahimsa would solve all worldly problems, and that although Ahimsa was often translated as merely "non-violence," it meant much more to Gandhi; it meant love. Even when he was persecuted, imprisoned, insulted, and otherwise abused, he showed love and compassion, and it was this example that led to so much positive change. I loved the vignettes of meeting with Gandhi in his Ashram, and seeing how much he loved the little children, and how he showed malice towards no man. His teachings were fairly basic, and were aimed at helping everyone progress. I learned a lot more about his attitude towards Hinduism, Christianity, gender relations, cattle worship, and general good will to all.

[Keith Mundy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book would be about Gandhi but it was not. It was someone's ideas about what he stood for and his ideas. But it was not for me and I found it very boring.