Gandhi Prisoner of HopeJudith M. Brown

Hardcover

First Edition 1990

Forty years after his assassination, Mahatma Gandhi remains an elusive figure, discomforting and difficult to comprehend. While acknowledged as one of the architects of the twentieth century, his image has been reduced in books and films to a simplistic archetype of the emaciated figure in loincloth, spectacles and sandals confronting the might of the British Empire. -- In this first full-length modern biography, one of the leading Gandhi authorities seeks to disentangle myth from reality by presenting Gandhi within the context of his time, emphasising his aims and expectations. -- Based on sources newly available to historians it constitutes the definitive account of Asia's most controversial figure. -- Brown explores Gandhi's early career in South Africa, from the maturing of his complex personality to the forging of his. political activism and involvement in a broad spectrum of public affairs from health, hygiene, and diet to social and economic reform. She interprets his developing spiritual vision of the nature of truth and of mankind's role and destiny in the world. -- The book gives greatest weight to Gandhi's Indian career and assesses his influence, triumphs and failures. It traces his growing philosophy of non-violence and assesses its practicability and significance in undermining the British rule in India. Placing him within his political setting, the biography shows how constricted Gandhi's options often were, how contingent many of his actions and how fragile and fluctuating his position as a political leader. -- Brown's portrait alters the conventional image of the saintly and charismatic nationlist leader, and will surprise many readers. Her careful analysis of his ideas and emotions reveals a man whose actions followed honourably from his convictions. Gandhi's spiritual experimentation reflected the moment rather than provided a historical blueprint for the future of an India which has departed painfully from his aspirations.