This book is one of my favorite non-fiction books. The beauty of this book is that the main points are in Ghandi's exact quotes while the flow of the arguments are edited by his biographer, Louis Fischer, to give a great feel of direction. Because Ghandi edited his own newspaper his life-changing views are abundant and easily accessible. If only this book were read by all leaders of people.

I have read every Gandhi book i could get my hands on, such as all his autobiographies, and this book is by far the best and just as accurate. With this book and the writings that are on his official website, you will have all the information you will ever need. One thing to keep in mind, that many people seem to forget, is that Gandhi was a normal man like you and me. He made mistakes just like every other man, but had the courage to always follow his 'inner voice' even in his unperfectness. This is a life changing book for those who dare to look within themselves.

This is a mind opening, life changing book. The thoughts and writings, spaning over the entire course of Gandhi's life, offer a glipse into the mind and habits of one of God's greatest followers. His peaceful approach to life and his undying love for friend and foe alike will motivate any reader to the highest level. This is a must read for anyone, regardless of nationality or creed, who wishes to see the potential all humans have within them.

Louis Fischer does his subject justice with a fine account of Gandhi's life. Despite the long duration of the Mahatma's struggle, the author keeps the book interesting pretty much throughout. Fischer's two first hand accounts of his meetings with Gandhi serve as a plesent break in the course of the book, giving it greater life, as well as providing a more personal insight into Gandhi. Thankfully the author remains well clear of blind adoration for the man, highlighting both his flaws and weaknesses. The only short coming is that the book was written before the rise of M.L. King and Nelson Mandela, thus fails to address the full influence Gandhi had and will have beyond India. Overall, I whole heartedly recommend this book of such an important subject, which was also the inspiration for the film.

Case law, unless done perhaps by the likes of John Grissam, is not page turning material. However, the authors have done an incredible job of putting very pressing and often complex areas into an accessible and engaging book. Written in an easy to use question and answer format, the updated book touches on education legal issues ranging from free speech, to students with disabilities, to internet issues. While of great use for educator (or educators to be), the book could also easily be adapted for classroom use, either as a debate or research starter. Worth every penny of its price.

The perfect introduction. This is the perfect book for someone who wants to learn the essentials about the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi without having to wade through some of the larger books that have been written. This one is under 200 pages, and is laid out in three easy to read sections (From Birth To Greatness - Gandhi In India - Victory and Tragedy). Fischer does not bog down into political minutiae, post-assassination trial stuff, or hair-splitting Gandhi-isms (on this latter point for instance, Gandhi's own autobiography devotes four consecutive chapters to his internal agony over whether or not to include goat's milk in his vegetarian diet)! Fischer's book is more of an OVERVIEW of the profound world-shaking life that was Gandhi. Yet it is immensely informative, and well-paced. The author personally met with Gandhi in 1942 and again in '46, and his book shows that he had a wonderful understanding of the Mahatma's faith and convictions. Those who want to know more about Gandhi should, however, go on to read the autobiography (subtitled "The Story of My Experiments With Truth") and also Yogesh Chadha's "Gandhi: A Life".

The book ends abruptly with the three shots, the smile fading from Gandhi's face, and his final words on earth "Oh God."
"His legacy is courage, his lesson truth, his weapon love.
His life is his monument.
He now belongs to mankind."
We turn the page, and hope that something is there... but it isn't. The world since, has not seen anyone like Gandhi.

Through this book Louis Fischer successfully presents the Mahatma of India to the English speaking world at large and especially to the Americans.The soul of Mahatma Gandhi is well captured here in words. The author takes pains to elaborate the political movements in Britain, the varied struggles of Indians in South Africa and the complexities of the socio-political situation in India in order to paint an accurate picture of one of the most remarkable human beings of the 20th century. The philosophy and witness of this Indian saint shall continue to influence and enrich the lives of millions in the years to come and Fischer's deeply moving story of his struggles shall go down into history as a worthy testimony to his life and message.

The book does inevitably contain Indian words and concepts, which could stand in the way of making it a leisurely reading. But the author has a great advantage since he has a familiarity with the Indian situation and a personal acquaintence with Gandhi himself. Anyone who is intereested in working for the advancement of humanity should learn about Gandhi and this is the book to begin with.

This is one of the best biographies I've ever read, in part because of the enormous charisma of the subject and in equal part because of the obvious respect and affection with which he is treated by his biographer, Louis Fischer. Gandhi's life and message can be a life-changing experience for one willing to think about his search for Truth, and his unwillingness to compromise even in the face of seemingly insurmountable opposition.

When I decided to read up on Ghandi's life, I was confronted with many many volumes. I didn't know which to choose, so I bought several, in hopes that at least one would be a good choice. I needn't have worried. This particular volume is small and thin, and I selected it in part because of its size - a thicker volume on a man I knew nothing about would have been too intimidating for a first exposure. What a wonderful surprise! Fischer's story of Gandhi's life was engaging from the first few paragraphs and riveting through Gandhi's last utterance.

Fischer does not analyze very much - this is not a history of Gandhi's influence on India and the wider world; rather, it is the personal story of a man who touched lives. Mohandas Gandhi is presented in the context of his world rather than Gandhi's world being presented in the context of him. To me, that creates a more approachable man, one whose life can be emulated, not just revered. This is a must-read with the potential to become a must-do, or at least a must-think. Highly recommended.

Louis Fischer gives a detailed and balanced account of the "Caucasian Oil Rush" of the early 1920's. This account shows the behind the scenes finagling that Standard Oil and Royal-Dutch-Shell went through in order to secure lease and concessions from the USSR. Fischer's writing is objective, there are no "bad guy" vs "good guy" in the political arena. The Western nations and the Soviet Union are portrayed as the political entities that they were in c.1925. If you enjoy a story line regarding corporate blackmai and international politics, then this book will satisfy you. There is a little bit of everything in this historic tale. I read this book while researching my Master's Degree, and founfd it quite valuable. I will also add that this little volume would work very well as an assigned text for a Corporate Policies, Economics or Geopolitical college class. es, that is a recommendation for all of my college and university colleagues on the net. Some of Mr. Fischer's observations and predictions were accurate, not just in the 1920's, but also for the 1990's. Sincerely, Daniel S. Padovano