Customer Reviews

Gandhi

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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

This is an exquisite book,
written and painted with a great deal of sensitivity and artistry!

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a shy, frightened, and deeply religious child, who even after he married, at thirteen, had to sleep with the lights on. He was a poor student, barely graduating from high school and college. While in London, studying law, he came to realize that he was not happy with all the trappings of wealth, and decided to live a simpler and more self-reliant life. With his law degree in hand, he moved his family to South Africa, and for the first time experienced racism, and hatred for his brown skin firsthand. Instead of going back to India, he drew strength from the challenges of living and working in an unfriendly country. "He began to look on every difficulty as an opportunity for service to others. This was to be the secret of his success for the rest of his life." Author Demi has written an eloquent and evocative biography that details the life of this extraordinary man as he struggles to bring change to India's social and political policies, and win independence from British rule. She explains how Gandhi was "...determined to root out the disease of prejudice, but never to yield to violence and never to use violence against others." His tireless and passionate work, through non-violent marches, fasts, nationwide strikes, and civil disobedience, led to the liberation of India from Great Britain, and the end of the caste system. Demi's passionate and expressive text is beautifully complemented by elegant and exquisite illustrations, and together word and art paint a memorable portrait of a unique individual who left his mark on the world for generations to come. With an author's note at the end to enhance the text, augment lessons, and further discussions, Ghandhi is a superb and inspirational biographical starting point for youngsters 8-12, that shouldn't be missed.

The illustrations in this book are wonderful. But the facts are missing. The author needs to research the subject before writing about it. I bought the book for my children and ended up throwing it in the trash can.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an important Indian leader whose leadership in overthrowing British rule became an inspiration for the American Civil Rights movement. This picture-book biography presents the major events of his life with Demi's characteristically beautiful illustrations. For the purpose of nurturing a Christian worldview, this book may be problematic. Gandhi's human greatness was inseparable from his Hindu faith, and the text is infused with a Hindu view of reality, along with quotes from the Bhagavad Vita. Young children will probably be unable to separate the spiritual aspects of the story from the qualities that earned Ghandi's reputation as a "Great Soul." Our family will have to wait until a later, more sophisticated age to introduce this important human figure to our children.