the ghandi reader- precis

The Gandhi Reader : A Sourcebook of His Life and Writings by Homer Alexander Jack

Homer Alexander Jack 's The Gandhi Reader : A Sourcebook of His Life and Writings depicts Gandhi 's thoughts and the ways he regarded issues during that time . We are privy to the innermost workings of his mind including the colorful life he led at childhood . Known for his adherence to non-violence , we read the exemplary way he walked his talk . There is transparency in this man and people were awed at how he charmed people to his non-violent

principles . He knew that violence was not something to be proud of and the pages of this book attest to the many examples of that

For instance we see how he offered non-violence as the cure to the difficulties that the Jews faced in Germany when he strongly states

If I were a Jew and were born in Germany and earned my livelihood there I would claim Germany as my home even as the tallest Gentile German might , and challenge him to shoot me or cast me in the dungeon I would refuse to be expelled or to submit to discriminating treatment . And for doing this I should not wait for the fellow Jews to join me in civil resistance , but would have confidence that in the end the rest were bound to follow my example

He is able to do this because he follows his own principles amidst the lies and corruption at that time . This 1930 persecution of the Jews bothered him because it was outright murder and he could not stand the outright violence

The book gives readers a peek into his childhood days and parentage . It is in Chapter One where we learn about his ancestors . It states that for three generations from his grandfather , his ancestors have been Prime Ministers in the Katiawad states , referring to his grandfather as a man of principle . We also learn how different he was from his father in that even if they both were brave and truthful his father was short-tempered while he had tolerance and patience at all circumstances . Like his father , he too was incorruptible and impartial , always given to what was just and right . Like him , his father had no love for riches and so they did not inherit much from him . This early Chapter gives a good glimpse of his roots and how this was the background that spurred him to be a man of influence himself

This anthology of his writings also shows to us how well-learned Gandhi was , employing his skill in written language to show us how he thinks and looks at situations and people . He posits that even if his father did not have the opportunity of higher education , he was rich in experience , which served him well in his family and work affairs . The anthology is edited by and in chronological revealing a man who remains fearless of the wrath of his enemies . We see therefore...