Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma (“great soul”), was the father of modern India, but his influence has spread well beyond the subcontinent and is as important today as it was in the first part of the twentieth century and during this nation’s own civil rights movement. Taken from Gandhi’s writings throughout his life, The Essential Gandhi introduces us to his thoughts on politics, spirituality, poverty, suffering, love, non-violence, civil disobedience, and his own life. The pieces collected here, with explanatory head notes by Gandhi biographer Louis Fischer, offer the clearest, most thorough portrait of one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has known.
“Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. . . . We may ignore him at our own risk.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With a new Preface drawn from the writings of Eknath Easwaran

In the annals of spirituality certain books stand out both for their historical importance and for their continued relevance. The Vintage Spiritual Classics series offers the greatest of these works in authoritative new editions, with specially commissioned essays by noted contemporary commentators. Filled with eloquence and fresh insight, encouragement and solace, Vintage Spiritual Classics are incomparable resources for all readers who seek a more substantive understanding of mankind's relation to the divine.

The best thing about this book for me is that in short chapters a reader is given a relatively thorough understanding of Ghandi as he spoke about different categories such as non violence, the power of the mind, political principles or how he felt about himself as a father. The kind of book you can pick up to read a chapter in an hour or so.

Wow! This is such an inspirational book! I'm chagrined that I hadn't read it before. In this book, Ganhi's thoughts, experiments, approaches that resulted in the coming together of millions of people, guiding them to not just a more enlightened spiritual being, but, like most great religious leaders, moving them toward [political] justice. Brilliant read. Perhaps because of the interpretation or the shear brilliance of the man, I found this book to be a much slower read than many books. As one with an interest in personal - spiritual growth as well as political movements, this was an outstanding book for me. I was surprised to read about his relationships with his children. I couldn't give this a rating any lower than A+.

This book is one that will change your life. Gandhi's view on non violent protest really changed the way people could stand up for their rights without violent actions. In the words of Gandhi "a violent action in nature elicits a violent response but a non violent action...."

I have been researching Gandhi for a number of years, so I can claim some expertise in evaluating this book. Simply put, I am not sure why I didn't get to it earlier, as it is a superior collection of Gandhi's writings, blended in skillfully with some of Fischer's own writings about Gandhi. This anthology goes beyond mere collection in that it also is organized with attention to telling the story of Gandhi's life chronologically. If you know the story of Gandhi well, this book will capture some of the rare gems of Gandhi's thought, as well as his controversial ideas. If you don't know Gandhi's life story yet, start with Fischer's Gandhi: His Life and Message to the World, a short, concise summary. The Essential Gandhi succeeds in being just that: a treasury of thought of one of the most important men of the past century.

I've read a total of 3 books about Mahatma Gandhi, all of them stemming from his own writings. This is the best out of those three books.

It is well organized and takes the most crucial parts of his writings and puts them in an order that is coherent and easy to read. The notes by the editor also make it easy for someone who does not know the whole history surrounding Gandhi's plight. She sets the setting and environment with each chapter making sure the reader knows what is going on regardless of their previous knowledge of the situation.

This is why I always suggest this book to anyone who wants to start learning about this amazing man. It is very inspirational, and I have highlighted and reflected on quite a few passages. This is one of my most lent books since everyone hears about and references this man, but very few actually know anything about him.

This is the best book to allow people to be introduced to his ideas and beliefs.