Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly referred to as Mahatma– a great soul, fought for the freedom of India by non-violence. Rabindranath Tagore gave him the title of Mahatma. Gandhiji has been the most distinct and unusual leader ever walked on the earth. He followed and spread the ideals of fasting (Satyagraha), Non-violence (Ahimsa) and simplicity among his followers. Mahatma Gandhi, the man who had made the whole country respond to his call, has been much talked and written about. Here is the list of books on Mahatma Gandhi which would provide you enough information from different sources and perspectives.
Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation
Author: Subhadra Sen Gupta
In this book, the author Subhadra Sen Gupta, has caught the essence from the exceptional life and legacy of unparalleled leader. The book gives glimpses of the simple man who wove clothes, ate salt less vegetable, believes in truth and non-violence and walked 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to break the salt law. The book talks about Mahatma Gandhi’s passion for truth and peace. The world has changed a lot from the time of Gandhiji, but his life and ideals are still quite relevant to present generation. This is one of the best books on Mahatma Gandhi ever written describing his life and principles.
The Life of Mahatma Gandhi
Author: Louis Fischer
In this minor biographic book, the author Louis Fischer talks about the epic journey of Mahatma Gandhi and how he led the people of whole nation for the freedom. In addition of being a genius historian, Louis Fischer was a close friend of Gandhiji. The book gives us a glimpse of the unique and shrewd strategies used by Gandhiji to bring the independence of India. Richard Attenborough adapted this book into the award-winning motion picture “Gandhi”.
Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggle with India
Author: Joseph Lelyveld
Joseph Lelyveld has won Pulitzer prize in General Non-fiction. In this moving book, author talks about the struggles Mahatma Gandhi faced while fighting for the freedom of people in two different continents. Book gives the insight of both the achievements and failures faced by Gandhi. Author narrated the disappointments faced by Gandhiji following his fierce struggle to bring social change.
Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Ideas
Author: Charles F. Andrews and Arun Gandhi
This book tried to bring out the warm and personal biography of the great social and religious reformer, Mahatma Gandhi. Authors talk about the introduction of non-violence by Mahatma Gandhi to fight the oppressor. Though we take the ideals of non-violence very lightly, they were meant much more to Gandhiji. He didn’t deviate from his ideals even under harsh situations. Gandhiji promoted peace, equality among humans and showed love and compassion to all. If you’re interested to know about the beliefs of Gandhiji, then this is one of the best books on Mahatma Gandhi for you.
Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope
Author: Judith M. Brown
In this book, author has included the recently available information to write this definitive biography on Gandhiji. Author gives us a new and surprising view of Gandhiji’s life. In the book, she presents him as powerful man with his own weaknesses. Judith also delves deeply into Gandhiji’s career as a lawyer in South Africa from 1893 to 1914; and about his struggle against racism in South Africa. In the book, author talks about the inner conflicts faced by Gandhiji and his response to the socio-political conflicts.
Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth
Author: M.K. Gandhi
When it comes to books on Mahatma Gandhi, nothing can beat his classic autobiography ‘The Story of My Experiments With Truth’. In this book Gandhiji recounts the incidents of his life which shaped his beliefs and developed his concept of non-violence resistant to the tyranny of colonial rule. The book covers the life of Mahatma Gandhi from his childhood to 1921.
