Mahatma Gandhi and His Myths: Civil Disobedience, Nonviolence, and Satyagraha in the Real World

by Mark Shepard

 Mahatma Gandhi is one of the least understood figures of all time -- even among his admirers. In this Annual Gandhi Lecture for the International Association of Gandhian Studies, Mark Shepard tackles some persistently wrong-headed views of Gandhi, offering us a more accurate picture of the man and his nonviolence. ///////////////// Mark Shepard's writings on social alternatives have appeared in over 30 publications in the United States, Canada, England, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, and India. The American Library Association Booklist called his book Gandhi Today 'a masterpiece of committed reporting.' ///////////////// EXCERPT I suspect that most of the myths and misconceptions surrounding Gandhi have to do with nonviolence. For instance, it's surprising how many people still have the idea that nonviolent action is passive. It's important for us to be clear about There is nothing passive about Gandhian nonviolent action. I'm afraid Gandhi himself helped create this confusion by referring to his method at first as "passive resistance," because it was in some ways like techniques bearing that label. But he soon changed his mind and rejected the term. Gandhi's nonviolent action was not an evasive strategy nor a defensive one. Gandhi was always on the offensive. He believed in confronting his opponents aggressively, in such a way that they could not avoid dealing with him. But wasn't Gandhi's nonviolent action designed to avoid violence? Yes and no. Gandhi steadfastly avoided violence toward his opponents. He did not avoid violence toward himself or his followers. Gandhi said that the nonviolent activist, like any soldier, had to be ready to die for the cause. And in fact, during India's struggle for independence, hundreds of Indians were killed by the British. The difference was that the nonviolent activist, while willing to die, was never willing to kill. Gandhi pointed out three possible responses to oppression and injustice. One he described as the coward's to accept the wrong or run away from it. The second option was to stand and fight by force of arms. Gandhi said this was better than acceptance or running away. But the third way, he said, was best of all and required the most to stand and fight solely by nonviolent means. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Politics, India

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Nayaz Riyazulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

ನಮ್ಮ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲೇ ಗಾಂಧಿರವರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಬಹಳ ತಪ್ಪು ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಗಳು ಇವೆ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರೆ ಹೇಳಿದ ಕಟ್ಟುಕಥೆಗಳು ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಒಮ್ಮಮ್ಮೆ ಅವರನ್ನು ತೀರಾ ದ್ವೇಷಿಸುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ, ದೇವಮಾನವರಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಸಂತರನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ...ಇಂತಹ ಕೆಲ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಮಿಥ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಆರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಅವನ್ನು decode ಮಾಡುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಈ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ...

ಗಾಂಧಿರವರ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ ಮತ್ತು ಅಸಹಕಾರ ಚಳುವಳಿಯ ಸಾರವನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಅದರ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ ಹೀಗಿನ ವಿಶ್ವ ಅಥವಾ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಷ್ಟಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಸರಳ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲೇಖಕರು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ...

[Luvena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking at a more rounded approach to understand Gandhi, as a personality, and thought I'd first brush up on what I already knew historically and thought this book would have put some things back into my existing perspective before, perhaps, shattering them.

I found this took to be an easily read, text book explanation of Gandhian principles, predominantly explaining Gandhian Non-violence & Satyagraha (in lesser detail). The writer has very eloquently conveyed a holistic outlook to the ideas and well, debunked some 'myths' commonly associated exclusively with Gandhi & the Indian Independence Movement.

I, particularly, highlighted various passages and noted inferred statements that both resonated with my thoughts, as well as supported alternative means of approach. The small book provided a very hopeful utopia that the entire world can possibly explore in terms of violent v/s non violent approach. After the very recent Cauvery turmoil and the ongoing Middle East 'peace' process, I was left with a yearning that well, maybe not Gandhi, but perhaps the idea / philosophy is the only better alternative.

I'm yet to read about Gandhi as a man / politician, etc... but to really understand that to be supportive of an ideology that has been tried out many times before Gandhi, and still may be applicable to current world relations, is a very hopeful essay..

[Anil Swarup · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book attempts to dispel certain misapprehensions about the Mahatma. Apart from stating the obvious, it delves into certain misunderstandings that surround Gandhi and his approach to resolution of issues. The subsequent well known Gandhis (Indira, Rajeev and the like) not being related to Mahatma is the most obvious one. Non-violence is normally associated with passive resistance but for Gandhi it was active engagement with his adversaries (though he never treated them as adversaries), appealing to their good sense with all the compassion and love towards them. Gandhi was just "different" in more ways than one. This book brings this aspect out pretty well.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and short with excellent points

A simple, easy-to-read piece on Gandhi's ideas and methodologies. I feel the author successfully dispelled preexisting notions, such as Gandhi's supposed saintliness, (he is quick to point that the man himself was eager to communicate that he was a flawed human being just like the rest of us,) as well as the ideas that civil disobedience and nonviolent protest are naive and will not work. He provides examples throughout global history where, though admittedly is it not easily obtainable, it does in fact work. He doesn't delve too deeply into historic examples, but does provide many scholarly offerings for further reading. For that reason, this book/essay should be considered more of a springboard for learning how civil disobedience and nonviolent protest works on a systematic level, and how it has worked historically.

[Fadillah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that this is one of the Short, concise and engaging books ive ever read so far. Since i'm a fan of Bollywood films, the term like " Satyagraha" is familiar (especially if you're a fan of Prakash Ja's films). I am one of those people on the fence about Gandhi's approach of non violent and non cooperation. However, it did work on certain things (not all). Gandhi remain as one of the figures that i look up to because he stood up and held firmly of his value. You can disagree with his idea but you have to admit he was indeed an admirable man.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book stands true to its title. It is not boring; it engages you all the way through. It is crisp, brief and to the point. It improves your perspective by trying to remove the filters we have on. ;)

It's a very good read and books like these must be more famous; a lot of the hoopla, especially surrounding India, could be avoided. All the violence... His ways must be more deeply rooted in our lifestyles than a mere public holiday on the 2nd of October each year!

What must Gandhi think of the world right now?!

[Ashok Kharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author certainly provides deep insights in the methods adopted by Mahatma Gandhi. Interesting read.

Mahatma Gandhi's methods of non violence and Satyagrah were explained beautifully with cause and effects in deeper consciousness of man kind whether it is a group of oppressors or oppressed.

[विजय प्रकाश · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough there are many things that an indian alredy knows for that matter the pronunciation of the word gandhi and how it is spelt. but, there is a lot of new information which we rarely know about gandhi, a must read if you want to really understand hia ideology in less words/pages. It is just a brief explanation of Gandhi's views.

[Jerry Wall]

Nonviolence or, even, passive nonviolence does not mean no violence, i.e. in nonviolent protests
one may be subjected to Violence.
Gandhi was not a saint, even though Mahatma or great soul was his name.
Many use their view of Gandhi but sometimes they err in interpretation.
Short and sweet description on the notable man

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book is​ really a lecture by Mr. Shepard. I have read a little about Gandhi, and this lecture clarified Gandhian methods with respect to how Churchill and other British politicians displayed, in many respects, the post-war change in Empire. Quick read.

[Vidya Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave a deeper idea of non-violence that Gandhi ji had made use of to unite Indians for an independent nation. The author Mark Shepard had took a great effort to give a deeper insights and clear the myths about Mahatma.

[Gen-v · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to suggest that Gandhi didn't do anything more to gain the title "Father of Non-Violence" than Newton did to discover gravity. It has always been there. The gravity as well as the term nonviolence.

[anil dhaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if you want to understand what Gandhiji meant by Satyagraha and Non-violence.
Very short book could be finished in less than half an hour.

[easvaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good book to read and recommend others

ok a good book to read and recommend others a good book to read and recommend others a good book to read and recommend others

[Praveenraj N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and simple

This book is a quick read and provides very basic answer to mostly asked questions about Gandhi's non violence for not only global but also Indian readers.

[Bhaaswanth Yerramsetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good in-depth view of certain decisions during freedom struggle.

[Ashish Tiwari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really an insightful short read.

[Mushthaq Khaleelurahman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about Gandhi.
Gan - dhi, part at the end is 👌🏻

[Maran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine. Recommended

Great explanation or shall I say interpretation. Much needed and useful for the ongoing / future generations. A must read.

[Akshatha Kulkarni · Rating 2 out of 5]

A politician in the guise of a saint. Enough said.

[Roopkumar Balachandran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book title looked like the author is trying to tease the Father of my Nation but after reading its really make us to see the real meaning of Non Violent Resistance.

The most liked part of this book for me is,

"Maybe the most amazing thing about Gandhi’s nonviolent revolution is, not that the British left, but that they left as friends, and that Britain and India became partners in the British Commonwealth.

Gandhi noted also that violent revolutions almost always end in repressive dictatorships.

Now, India today is not a paradise. It is afflicted by widespread injustice, civil violence, and authoritarian trends. Still, it is one of the few Third World countries where democracy in any form has survived continuously. There has never been a military coup in India. When you look at the side-effects of violent struggle, you really have to ask yourself, just who is being practical here, and who is not".

I will recommend this to my friends.

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[Caroline Cottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is actually an Annual Gandhi Lecture for the International Association of Gandhian Studies, by Gandhi scholar Mark Shepard. Shepard debunks a number of myths or ideas we have about Gandhi. In particular, he focuses on nonviolence, passive resistance, and civil disobedience. I found it helpful. This is an important book for those wishing to understand Gandhi better. It's downloadable to your computer from Amazon's Kindle store for 99 cents.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Shepard gave the 1990 Annual Gandhi Lecture and this is the text of that lecture. He thinks many people misunderstood Gandhi and that many myths built up around him.
I'm not sure these myths are as widely believed as Shepard thinks, but debunking them is valuable. He is lucid on what exactly non-violent protest is and what it can achieve and he gives many historical examples.
The lecture is worth reading.

[Sarabjeet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed review: Mahatma Gandhi and His Myths - Mark Shepard

The book basically explains many obvious facts facts about Gandhi which have been mentioned everywhere but also has either been misinterpreted or not at all interpreted.

[Srini · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is mainly the author's interpretation of Gandhi's Satyagraha. It is the author's point of view of what 'Non-violence' and 'Civil Disobedience' movements might have meant to Gandhi. It was an easy, short and interesting read.

[Rajendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puts beliefs and actions of Gandhi in true, more humane perspective and hence puts onus on the reader to emulate him. She (or He) cannot hide behind perceived sainthood of the Mahatma!

Pity that the book is so short!

[Vijayakumar Jawaharlal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to understand Gandhi's version of non violence.

[George Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting dispelling of the myths about Gandi particularly for a westerner who's main source of info was the Ben Kingsley portrayal of him in the movie.

[John Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful quick look at Mahatma Gandhi and myths surrounding this great influence.

[Rohit Lawange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but worth reading, if you want to know what actually satyagraha meant. Not that thought provoking but will definitely change your views on certain topics.