DK Biography: Gandhi: A Photographic Story of a Life

DK Biography

by Amy Pastan

DK Biography sets a new standard in children's paperback books, relying on bold photographs, energetic storytelling, and detailed sidebars and definition boxes to build an educational and entertaining series. These books are perfect for either the classroom or the living room. Each title features a celebrated leader who has impacted our world in a big way, from important politicians to inspiring civil rights leaders, great entertainers to groundbreaking artists. These men and women come from a diverse range of nationalities and generations, but all have played a crucial role in shaping our society. DK Biographies gain momentum from detail, delving into the small things — childhood hobbies, little-known fears, hidden strengths — that make a person great. Most importantly, they encourage young readers to be curious about the world and those who have influenced it. Mohandas Gandhi was born at a time when his home country was choked under the oppression of British rule. Although many thought that violence was the only way to fight this injustice, Gandhi successfully used his teachings of nonviolence and civil disobedience to win his country's freedom — and create a philosophy of peace and equality that endures to this day. Supports the Common Core State Standards.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Indian Literature, Memoir

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2006

About the author

Amy Pastan is an independent writer, editor, and book producer. She is former acquisitions editor for art and humanities at the Smithsonian Institution Press. She lives in the metropolitan D.C. area.

Reviews

[Taneka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in India. He was a devout Hindu and believed that everyone deserved to be treated with respect. During his time, India was ruled by the British crown and under that crown, Indians were subject to unfair laws created and dictated by the ruling class. Gandhi went on to become a lawyer and practiced law in South Africa, where he led successful nonviolent campaigns against the ruling White minority in the region. When he returned to India, he used what he learned in South Africa to champion for equal rights and independence for all Indians. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948 by a fellow Hindu that felt Gandhi showed too much care for Muslims that lived in India.


I was interested in a biography about Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, due to his influence on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King was so impressed by Gandhi and read everything about him. I have yet to come across anyone in my life to look up to that strongly. So to see a man take such an interest in another man’s work and apply it to his life made me all the more curious. After reading this book, I can see why he made such an impression. Here is a man that is afforded privileges in life due to his status (caste) and he fights for others, even those that are considered beneath him such as the untouchables. As a Hindu, he has to wisdom to take the time to learn other people, going as far as to read the bible and work with Christians and Muslims among other religious believers. I felt that he placed his family in danger when he started his campaigns, but his wife was loyal in agreeing with her husband and even participating in demonstrations. Kasturba, his wife, did have her own voice, especially when she disagrees with allowing untouchables to be in close proximity of their home. I felt it was a privilege to learn about this prominent figure and will take the lesson of acceptance into my own life and get to know others of different religious faiths.


Gandhi is presented as a believable, multidimensional character with both strengths and weaknesses. One weakness and strength of Gandhi is how he is easily influenced by others. It is a weakness because it tended to get him to abandon his principles. For example, a friend of his persuaded him to eat meat, even though he is a vegetarian by his religion, Hindu. He is also persuaded by Jan Christiaan Smuts to register in South Africa in which the government would abandon the Black Act and the taxes that were being imposed on Indians. It was a ploy of the South African government. Gandhi trusted them and they betrayed him. The Black Act required Indians in the Transvaal region of South Africa to be fingerprinted and to carry registration cards. He is also influenced by his brothers. When they get into trouble, they tended to back Gandhi against a wall, such as having him to go and ask a favor of a British officer when the brothers were in trouble. This teaches Gandhi a lesson to never look for a handout or favor from a friend. It is strength because it helps him to become a little stronger in his faith. He is influenced by the writings of Henry David Thoreau, John Ruskin, Leo Tolstoy and Henry Stephens Salt. Some of the writers help to influence his nonviolence approach, such as Thoreau and Tolstoy influenced him to start ashrams. Text and illustrations (photos) appear to have been researched. The photos coincide with the text, such as photos of Gandhi with the Vegetarian Society in 1890 during his time in London, when he is influenced by the book A Plea for Vegetarianism by Henry Stephens Salt. There are also photos of Gandhi during his hunger strike that show the frailty in his body, and the determination for his cause by continuing, as the text goes in depth about the reason for the strike

[Sue-isb Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Gandhi is biography about Gandhi who is one of the important people in Indian history. I picked this book because personally, I really like Gandhi. In 10th grade, I learned about Gandhi and his achievement in history class. After I learned about that, I really think what Gandhi did to get back his country's freedom is great achievement. I do respect his non-violent policy and I thought people should learn from Gandhi's achievements. But, before I read this book I didn’t know about his personal life since history textbook doesn’t deal about his personal life. So I wanted to know his personal life such as his school life or marriage. I really enjoyed reading this book because the book is about the person who I admire. So, I could concentrate well than when I was reading other books. In addition, I was quite surprised about his personal life because I thought that Gandhi would never do bad things in his life but his actual his personal life is really interesting. I would recommend this book to people because it is easy to read. Lots of people think biography or autobiography is boring but the book is actually really interesting. Also it contains lots of photographs of Gandhi and his life so I guess people can easily understand his life. The book is well organized by several chapters and it talks about not only his historical achievements but also his personal life. By reading this book, people can get detail information about Gandhi and how India became independent from British people. Also people can easily understand his historical achievements such as non-violent policy or Salt March. The length is not that long, which is 123 pages so I think lots of people can read it easily.

[Chak · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read books as a family (in addition to our individual and/or assigned pursuits), and we had just finished the Percy Jackson series, so we decided to read biographies next, and started with this book on Gandhi. So far so good. I thought the kid would slog through it, but he finds it absolutely fascinating. There is so much to Gandhi's life (far more than I knew about!), and it's great reading. There are so many lessons about one way to face injustice in the world, and just how great a sacrifice some heroes make for the good of their people. However, this book can be a little much for young children, because there is mention of brutality, and murder, as well as things like Ghandi's wife dying (because he withheld her medicine when she had pneumonia). I don't think this book went into as much violence and harshness as the story of Ghandi's life included, but there is some of it here. Therefore, I would recommend this book for children at least 10 years old, if not older, and I would recommend reading it as a family and discussing it.

[Lexi Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a biography on Gandhi's life. I describes events throughout his time on earth before and after the independence movement of India. he was born in india, but then to England to go to school and eventually to Afria as well, however, there was discrimination, so he went back to India. He accomplished many important things in his lifetime such as the dhandi salt movement, and the great indian boycott.I thought that this book was very good,It helped me learn more about Gandhi's life, I didn't know that much about him before reading this except that he was an important figure. I thought that it would be interesting to know exactly what he did in his life to go down in history like he did. I enjoyed the book, even though biographys arent nessicariy my cup of tea..

[Saumyaa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a biography o Gandhi's life before and after the independence movement of India, before the independence movement he lived in south Africa for studying, there was discrimination there too so he went back to India, after that he performed many feats, such as the dhandi salt movement, and the great indian boycott.

This book was really good, It helped me learn more about Gandhi's life, I didn't know that much about a hero like him, but now I do... this book is really interesting and I like it a lot...

[Alexia Sottile · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a biography, this is the best book I've ever read. It wasn't boring at all. It was a very fast read. I loved it. It's very well written. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend you do as soon as possible. You won't regret it. I feel like I want to keep rereading it!!! I loved it.

[Fuad Alsultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The truth of a few will count. The untruth of millions will vanish even like chaff before a whiff of wind." -Gandi

You cannot rate a book about Gandi less than four stars. No matter what is written, it is going to be great!

[Todd Bethke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One person can make a difference in the world, and bring about change.

Gandhi's devotion to his religion, and to find common ground with individuals of other religions and social backgrounds. His strive for peace and social equality; leaves me in awe. To live, and practice nonviolent protests in the face of violence, is no easy task. On multiple occasions and without hesitation Gandhi was able to do this.

I plan to read more books on Gandhi, I need to know more about this wonderful man. This book has inspired me to be a better person, and to do better as a person.

[Renée · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong. It has a ton of information, but I still believe it is too compact. Facts are given but not enough is explained. Great for a lot of information, but if you want to know a lot about Gandhi, there are probably better books out there.

[Chappyfamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photographs bring it to life. A great inspiration to every faith.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well done look at Gandhi. Flawed but inspirational man. He had some interesting quirks after all, and leaves a fabulous legacy for himself and his wife in Indian history.
Pro peace, more and more rare in an activist noted in books.
He had to fight against public opinion in peaceful ways. I respect him for that.
Public opinion is.... not the wisest.

[Terryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved writing to my penpal about this book. It is loaded with photographs, asides and notes to make the text more interesting. I was blown away by Gandhi's early life and his family. I did not know that he had 4 children or that he spent so much time in South Africa. He was an amazing and brave man who changed the world. This particular book was very relatable and easy to understand, great pick for classroom non-fiction.

[114-Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Gandhi" was an amazing book. It gave you an inside view of his life and a very in depth look at what he was going through. This book was truly fabulous it taught me about history, Gandhi's tactics and the way he was a leader for everyone. I gave this book such a high rating because it explained everything extremely well and it taught me much.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy to read book about Gandhi's story. I liked how Gandhi stood up for his ideals and was firm in his belief. He felt that people are equal, making his wife and kids do chores that typically the servants did. He stood for peace and tried to help when he could. Wasn't so crazy about how he manipulated the government to get his way with hunger strikes.

[Jania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg im just twelve and this story has grasped my mind. I am in 10th grade though. I have a more complex of reading and i think this book just matched or highered my lexile range. Excuse my bad spelling. I am only twelve remember.

[Abdalohab Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is pretty OK. I enjoyed the story line of Gandhi's life. However I didn't like the way the pictures in the pages are not connect it to what the page is about. All in all i give this book 5/10

[Alyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography of the great M. Gandhi. Students will find this book very informative!

[Charank20 · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a really good book it leveled out the information and pictures very well

[Woods21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not that bad of a book, kind of short but it was very descriptive, and gave a good inside look at Ghandhi's childhood, education, and all around life.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for my in2books.com penpal program. Very informative and includes photographs, which is great to keep kids interest in the history.

[Rajjé: babu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very happy to read about Gandhiji today.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy and concise book on Gandhi. I may be able to use it in the classroom.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Gandhi was the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. And it talks about when he was born and when he died. And that the book shows a lot of details.

[mytaakeonit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about this inspirational man. Trying to read more nonfiction. These DK biographies are a good place to start. Not too long, but tons of great information.

[Erick · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The truth of few will count. The untruth of millions will vanish even like chaff before a whiff of wind"
Formidable Gandhi!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice concise biography for middle school. I used this book with our Martin Luther King, Jr day lessons.