Gandhi [Hardcover]

Demi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known by his followers as Mahatma -- or great soul -- was born in India in 1869 and grew up to become one of the most influential and well-respected political and social leaders the world has ever known.

An adamant idealist and a courageous thinker, Gandhi identified himself with the struggles of the common people. He became the sole voice of the downtrodden and the exploited and believed fervently in the notion that "hatred can only be overcome by love." He vowed to instigate social and political change through nonviolent means and succeeded in changing India's prejudicial caste system and winning India's independence from British rule.

Gandhi's teachings inspired Martin Luther King's nonviolent civil rights movement in the United States and Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Gandhi's philosophies of nonviolence and peaceful protest continue to inspire people around the world.

In beautiful language and exquisite illustrations inspired by Gandhi's own belief in the simplicity and truth of life, Demi captures the spirit that was Mahatma Gandhi and pays homage to this great man.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Author-illustrator Demi has created a simple, straightforward, and reverent biography of India's "great soul." So simple and factual, indeed, that it might be a rather ordinary book, except for Demi's memorable, color-saturated, very Indian illustrations. We follow Gandhi from his hard, lonely education and apprenticeship in England and South Africa through the nationwide strike he led after the Amritsar massacre, to Independence and his eventual assassination. No major milestone in his life is left out, and each is dealt with in a short paragraph (typically 50 words), on its own page with accompanying illustration; 8 or 9 of these may want more substance. In between, however, this is an excellent introduction to the subcontinent's most famous son. (Ages 5 to 10) --Richard Farr

From Publishers Weekly

The highlight of this portrait of Gandhi is Demi's (Buddha) artwork, featuring gold borders and accents, splashes of brilliant color and small-scale images. With their fine balance of simplicity and elegance, the paintings gracefully reflect their subject. Readers aware of Gandhi's lasting influence may be surprised to learn that he was a small, shy boy and a weak student who barely graduated from high school and failed classes in college. Demi traces his transformation, as a law student in London, into an English gentleman and his years practicing law in South Africa, where he first encountered racism. At that point he became "determined to root out the disease of prejudice" this would plant the seeds for his life's work. Returning to India, he used nonviolent tactics to fight against its rigid caste system and oppressive British rule. The formal prose occasionally becomes awkward and a bit overblown (e.g., "Gandhi and his followers worked to accept the good and bad in life, to meet challenges with humility and calm, and to bring harmony to the world"). But the author's passion for her subject comes through ("It is my own great hope that we will all try to live our lives in Gandhi's honor in truth, peace, and love," she writes in an endnote) and may well inspire readers to learn more about this extraordinary leader. Ages 7-10.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; First Edition edition (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689841493
• ISBN-13: 978-0689841491
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( G ) > Gandhi, Mahatma

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Book of Historical Inaccuracies, July 21, 2002

By 

"parthshukla98" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gandhi (Hardcover)

The author has obviously spent a great deal of time and effort in making her illustrations authentic as well as beautiful. Unfortunately, the authenticity of this recount of Mahatma Gandhi's life ends there. The author seems to have failed in spending even a minute in researching the facts surrounding the great Mahatma Gandhi's life. Starting with the very first sentence, the author begins to rewrite the life of Mahatma Gandhi according to her own political or personal agenda, without any regard to the truth surrounding this great soul's life. Had she only taken the time to read the first few pages of Mahatma Gandhi's own, handwritten autobiography (available in numerous languages, including English), she would find most of the statements she has made regarding Gandhi's religious upbringing, personal beliefs and life quests are wholly inaccurate and in most cases, complete fabrications.

Here are only a few examples of the historical inaccuracies that the author has included in this so-called fact-based biography:

Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu, not a Jain as stated by the author. Furthermore, his entire life philosophy was based on Hindu teachings.

Gandhi fought many existing social injustices of the time, but his primary battle, the battle which earned him the title of "Mahatma" or "Great Soul" was that against the British for India's independence. The author states this battle almost as an aside to that of his fight against caste-based prejudicial practices.

India and Pakistan were the two countries formed at the end of this great Independence Struggle, however, India was not formed as "Hindu India" as the author states. India was created a democracy and remains a democracy to date. In fact, 75% of India's Muslims chose to remain in India rather than relocating to Pakistan during Partition, which, incidentally was created as a Muslim state.

I am dismayed by both the author's and publisher's lack of regard to historical accuracy, especially in a biographical medium that will, in all likelihood, be used as an educational source for children.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Searching for a World Hero, October 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Gandhi (Hardcover)

This beautiful biography causes child and adult to stop and think about the power of our actions. Throughout his life, Gandhi viewed every challenge he faced as an opportunity to serve others. He especially wanted to challenge the evils of prejudice, but only in nonviolent ways. After reading this book as an adult, I found myself longing for a present-day world leader with his spiritual strength. After reading the book to my third graders, I saw how this leader from the past could still influence thinking of today's people. They were very moved by Gandhi's non-violent beliefs and decided to put this quote (from the dust jacket)up on our classroom bulletin board: "If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred." Demi has succeeded in making Gandhi a timeless world figure for young children--both in her words and illustrations. I thank her for this incredible book; in light of our current world events, I think Gandhi's teachings are very powerful for all of us.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fictional "History". This book is not even based on historical events and people., February 3, 2008

By 

BookBloke "indiacomicsandbooks" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gandhi (Hardcover)

The author does not know much about Mahatma Gandhi and his life. Almost everything the author says about the great man's life is inaccurate. In fact, should this bok have been about a North American leader the author would have ended up paying damages for the ridiculously erroneous potrayal of a historical personality. The authors ignorance is almost criminal.

In this world, where cultures are divided and we seem to be constantly in war, it is important to educate children with accurate information. This books takes up a world personality who was born and lived in a different country, and our little children form impressions about these cultures from these windows to those cultures. Calling India a "Hindu" India is an insult to India. It is the largest democracy in the world and one of the very few secular countries. The country DOES NOT have a religious identity. In fact it has the second largest muslim population in the world and to my knowledge, has more christians living there than in the United States of America.

Please do not waste your money on this book