GANDHI

In one of the most extraordinary lives ever lived, Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) effected tremendous political change and wielded enormous influence. His teachings on non-violence elevated him in the eyes of many to the status of a saint. Among those profoundly influenced by his philosophy of peaceful resistance was Martin Luther King Jr, who adopted Gandhi’s methods in his own struggle for civil rights. In Peter Rühe’s book, Gandhi’s life is told by means of an extraordinary collection of nearly 300 photographs, many never seen before. These pictures document Gandhi’s early life in India, his law studies in London, his work in South Africa, and his return to lead the struggle for Indian independence, which won him the title of ‘father of the nation’. We can see the sweep of world politics and the struggles of the poor in the life of one man whose impact on the world is matched by few in the history of mankind. As Albert Einstein said: ‘Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.’