What do you think?
Rate this book
Gandhi, Fighter Without a Sword; 0
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
9 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 10, 2015
I think this belongs to the list of books that everyone should read. Or any book about Gandhi would do, but this one was quite well-written. This is the story of a man who not only believed in good principles but who gave and did everything he could to further them. He is the real father of non-violent resistance, and by his tireless efforts his entire life he was able to help hundreds of millions of people.
One thing I really appreciate, and the author was able to bring this out, is that Gandhi had to first cleanse himself. He spent many hours studying not only the Bhagavad Gita, but the Bible and the Koran as well. He also studied English, English Law, Roman Law, and even the native language of Southern India. He did everything he could to make himself as suited as possible for the great tasks he gave himself.
Eventually, Gandhi gave up his life in the effort to create brotherhood among the various castes, and more especially the various religious groups, in India. So sad.
One thing I really appreciate, and the author was able to bring this out, is that Gandhi had to first cleanse himself. He spent many hours studying not only the Bhagavad Gita, but the Bible and the Koran as well. He also studied English, English Law, Roman Law, and even the native language of Southern India. He did everything he could to make himself as suited as possible for the great tasks he gave himself.
Eventually, Gandhi gave up his life in the effort to create brotherhood among the various castes, and more especially the various religious groups, in India. So sad.
March 29, 2020
5 stars. It's amazing how much a children's book can inform you of how little you know about the world and history. That was one of my thoughts when I read the author's first Honor book "A Daughter of the Seine" about Madame Roland, one of the early supporters of the French Revolution. I had never heard of her. I had heard of Mohandas Gandhi, but really did I know much about him? I knew the bare basics: an Indian who was devoted to passive resistance, who would fast and march when he felt it warranted, a person who wanted to dismantle the caste system. But of course, there's much more. At one point I may have known that he really got his start advocating for Indian rights in South Africa before and after the Boer War of 1898 (I doubt it though). Prior to reading this book I had a vague feeling that he wanted all of India's peoples and religions to work together; it was devastating to read about his reaction to Partition. Most of this fictionalized biography is devoted to his time in South Africa and his work around India from 1900 to WWII so that the events at the end of his life were presented very much as a rush. As Americans we're more familiar with Martin Luther King and even Nelson Mandela. It mustn't be forgotten that Gandhi was their teacher. This should be a must read for everyone, but sadly it's out of print. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge (52 Wks "set in country you've never visited") and my Newbery Challenge (Honor 1951). I read this via the Emergency Internet Archive set up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
November 15, 2019
I have wanted to learn more about Gandhi and his life for a long time. I admire the way he lived his life to try to bring change through peaceful means. I have always been intrigued with the people of India because of the values of all the Indian people that I meet. This helped to grow my understanding a bit of their history and their fight for independence from England.
January 1, 2024
Really great biography. Made me want to learn more and do research. I was going to give it a four, because it lacked text features like timeline, maps, pictures with captions, but given the year it was published, I think that was expecting too much. If these were added, it would be a near perfect biography.
February 19, 2023
This book was originally published in 1950, so I'm going to tell you, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Gandhi's amazing story is told in an entertaining and engaging way to hook readers young and old.
July 13, 2023
Everyone should read this! To think that this man helped free India from British rule on principles of non-violence is truly remarkable! Also just a solid modern history book—great background for understanding Indian/Pakistani relations.
November 2, 2016
I sobbed when I finished this book. It was profoundly moving. I will not be the same after being touched deeply by this great soul that changed the course of history through love and discipline.
July 14, 2019
Seemed pretty complete and very easy to follow his life and what he did.
November 6, 2019
Well-written biography about a man who lived what he taught - to stand up for what was right and for the rights of others through non-violence. What a life.
January 11, 2023
I thought in the first chapter that this would be closer to fictionalized biography than it was; it ended up a pretty straightforward biography. The writing flowed well and the story was engaging.
Want to read
June 14, 20251951 Newbery honor book
March 11, 2017
A biography of the Indian peace-seeker for kids. A bit over-simplified in places, which is likely a symptom of its age, but good overall.
March 1, 2017
Wow! What an amazing man! Miss Eaton does a fantastic job of making Gandhi come alive. Two of my teens have read it and loved it as well.
November 10, 2017
This second reading did yield a lot more nuggets of information and insight than my first time through this one. I am so blown away by this man and his intellect. There are a number of passages that I must record for future reference.
"At last Mohandas came to the message deepest in his heart. This was Indian unity. 'There is so much division amongst us!' he cried. 'Why should we be kept apart by differences in birth, family tribes, and religion? Let us form a league representing every group. Then when we protest about unjust rulings to the authorities we may get a hearing.'"
"He tried to explain this to Mr. Baker. 'If one really gets a hold of a truth,' he said, 'one must apply it in daily life and to all dealings with other people. Then it is a living truth.'"
"Lawyers, he mused, are like leeches living on the blood of their clients."
"He realized both the humiliations of his fellow Indians and the pitiful fate of those who had to enforce cruel and unjust regulations."
"There it was once more - the noble spirit of the Anglo-Saxon justice which Mohandas admired so much. It towered over the ugly prejudice which marred English behavior in this foreign land."
"Gandhi, however, never wanted punishment for the offender. Justice for the victim was his goal."
"I'm learning a great poem while I wash and brush my teeth. Why waste time? You might try the same thing, my boy."
"He set aside a definite period for daily meditation."
"Satyagraha signifies that a man must declare the truth in which he believes and be willing to die for it without violence to anyone."
"Indians are amazing," he said, "I cannot imagine that in our country either strikers or employers would give a fig who fasted or why. We don't revere leaders."
"If I am leader, you must set an example of self-sacrifice. The moment you are dissatisfied with me, I'll gladly resign."
"If you are naughty, don't you expect your family to forgive you and love you? Only a few of the English people have been wicked. We have to learn that all human beings belong to one family - God's children, every one."
"I reported that we were against Untouchability. Of course, they didn't like that. Peasants are just as prejudiced as anybody else."
"To me violence is against religion, contrary to the spirit."
"Gandhi's brief talk - showing how the Sermon on the Mount was a teaching of satyagraha."
"Gandhi's statement of bitter regret that an innocent plan of boycott should have been ruined by crime. 'Every man has the right to his own religion and his own political opinion. Noncooperation will never succeed until men understand that.'"
"He was certain that no permanent good could be won by Indians until they had learned the law of love and sacrifice."
"Even in this black moment of doom let's not forget that laughter is healing."
"At last Mohandas came to the message deepest in his heart. This was Indian unity. 'There is so much division amongst us!' he cried. 'Why should we be kept apart by differences in birth, family tribes, and religion? Let us form a league representing every group. Then when we protest about unjust rulings to the authorities we may get a hearing.'"
"He tried to explain this to Mr. Baker. 'If one really gets a hold of a truth,' he said, 'one must apply it in daily life and to all dealings with other people. Then it is a living truth.'"
"Lawyers, he mused, are like leeches living on the blood of their clients."
"He realized both the humiliations of his fellow Indians and the pitiful fate of those who had to enforce cruel and unjust regulations."
"There it was once more - the noble spirit of the Anglo-Saxon justice which Mohandas admired so much. It towered over the ugly prejudice which marred English behavior in this foreign land."
"Gandhi, however, never wanted punishment for the offender. Justice for the victim was his goal."
"I'm learning a great poem while I wash and brush my teeth. Why waste time? You might try the same thing, my boy."
"He set aside a definite period for daily meditation."
"Satyagraha signifies that a man must declare the truth in which he believes and be willing to die for it without violence to anyone."
"Indians are amazing," he said, "I cannot imagine that in our country either strikers or employers would give a fig who fasted or why. We don't revere leaders."
"If I am leader, you must set an example of self-sacrifice. The moment you are dissatisfied with me, I'll gladly resign."
"If you are naughty, don't you expect your family to forgive you and love you? Only a few of the English people have been wicked. We have to learn that all human beings belong to one family - God's children, every one."
"I reported that we were against Untouchability. Of course, they didn't like that. Peasants are just as prejudiced as anybody else."
"To me violence is against religion, contrary to the spirit."
"Gandhi's brief talk - showing how the Sermon on the Mount was a teaching of satyagraha."
"Gandhi's statement of bitter regret that an innocent plan of boycott should have been ruined by crime. 'Every man has the right to his own religion and his own political opinion. Noncooperation will never succeed until men understand that.'"
"He was certain that no permanent good could be won by Indians until they had learned the law of love and sacrifice."
"Even in this black moment of doom let's not forget that laughter is healing."
January 13, 2015
Touching, moving, engaging. Lovely account of a great man's life.
Gandhi: “I hold it to be a virtue to be disaffected toward a government which has done more harm to India than any previous system. India is less manly under British rule than she ever was before. I consider it to be a sin to have affection for the system.”
Gandhi: “If one really gets hold of a truth, one must apply it to daily life and to all dealings with other people. Then it is a living truth.”
Gandhi: “Friends…you must show your faith in me and in our work by being patient and quiet. The policemen are only doing their duty. The magistrate had a perfect right to arrest me. I disobeyed his ruling that I leave Bihar. If I am sent to prison, you must accept my sentence as just. We must work together peacefully. Any violent act will hurt our good cause.”
“He was absorbed in the radiant peace flooding through his own being. That incident, the bewilderment on the blunt features of the policeman as he heard the words of forgiveness, had opened in Gandhi a vein of compassion such as he had never experienced before. He realized both the humiliations of his fellow Indians and the pitiful fate of those who had to enforce cruel and unjust regulations.”
“Satyagraha signifies that a man must declare the truth in which he believes and be willing to die for it without violence to anyone. Like a mighty flash of lightning the word satyagraha swept over South Africa. It struck fire in every Indian heart.”
“Mahatma, or Great Soul, is the Indian title for a man whose spiritual life is of such purity that his very presence brings a blessing.”
“The year 1920 saw the beginning of the new colony. Gandhi named it Tolstoy Farm in honor of the great Russian novelist whose ideas of simple living had deeply influenced him. This community…proved that Hindus and Mohammedans, Untouchables and Brahmins could live and work together. Gandhi persuaded the children to share religious ceremonies. Mohammedan youngsters delighted in the Hindu festival of light …Hindu children shared part of the greatest Mohammedan fast. They prepared for their Mohammedan playmates a feast of cakes and sweetmeats to enjoy when the fast had ended.”
Gandhi: “I hold it to be a virtue to be disaffected toward a government which has done more harm to India than any previous system. India is less manly under British rule than she ever was before. I consider it to be a sin to have affection for the system.”
Gandhi: “If one really gets hold of a truth, one must apply it to daily life and to all dealings with other people. Then it is a living truth.”
Gandhi: “Friends…you must show your faith in me and in our work by being patient and quiet. The policemen are only doing their duty. The magistrate had a perfect right to arrest me. I disobeyed his ruling that I leave Bihar. If I am sent to prison, you must accept my sentence as just. We must work together peacefully. Any violent act will hurt our good cause.”
“He was absorbed in the radiant peace flooding through his own being. That incident, the bewilderment on the blunt features of the policeman as he heard the words of forgiveness, had opened in Gandhi a vein of compassion such as he had never experienced before. He realized both the humiliations of his fellow Indians and the pitiful fate of those who had to enforce cruel and unjust regulations.”
“Satyagraha signifies that a man must declare the truth in which he believes and be willing to die for it without violence to anyone. Like a mighty flash of lightning the word satyagraha swept over South Africa. It struck fire in every Indian heart.”
“Mahatma, or Great Soul, is the Indian title for a man whose spiritual life is of such purity that his very presence brings a blessing.”
“The year 1920 saw the beginning of the new colony. Gandhi named it Tolstoy Farm in honor of the great Russian novelist whose ideas of simple living had deeply influenced him. This community…proved that Hindus and Mohammedans, Untouchables and Brahmins could live and work together. Gandhi persuaded the children to share religious ceremonies. Mohammedan youngsters delighted in the Hindu festival of light …Hindu children shared part of the greatest Mohammedan fast. They prepared for their Mohammedan playmates a feast of cakes and sweetmeats to enjoy when the fast had ended.”
June 20, 2009
This author's writing is quick and simple - geared to the 12-14 year old reader. She kept this book moving chronologically at a good clip. Great biog for this age group.
I don't think enough could be said about the virtuous life of this man. Tolstoy inspired me to read of Ghandi, and I am glad I did. Have been wanting to read of him and will delve into his autobiog.
I don't think enough could be said about the virtuous life of this man. Tolstoy inspired me to read of Ghandi, and I am glad I did. Have been wanting to read of him and will delve into his autobiog.
July 17, 2024
I felt this was very well written and stayed interesting even though a lot of it was "Ghandi wanted peace, so he fasted until people agreed to get along." 😁 I had read this once before and completely forgotten how it ended. Enjoyable and informative read.
Read
March 2, 2009JAR6-Gan
April 19, 2015
Gandhi was an extraordinary person and this book illustrates his life in a way that inspires and excites you.Definitely five stars!
September 10, 2015
Definitely a man of conviction and a very inspiring biography for youth.
Read
June 14, 2016Good nonfiction selection. Middle School level language. Not sure if it is still in print.
October 24, 2017
After a second read, I changed my rating from 3 stars to 4. As a children't biography, it is very good. It gives a clear overview of the life and work of Gandhi.
Read
October 22, 201415ff0344-cf23-457a-8c49-d02e6308e545
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews