Gandhi Reader, the Penguin

Culled from the “Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi”, this volume contains a representative selection of his writings focusing on themes which were central to Gandhi’s philosophy. The book is divided into eight sections and discusses the following in detail: Gandhiji’s complete rejection of what is known as modern civilisation together with its materialistic nature; the doctrines of swaraj and swadeshi, which meant more to him than mere independence from the British; the creed of non-violence, the centrepiece of his political theory; his role in mass movements, particularly in the Non-Co-operation Civil Disobedience and Quit India movements; his views on women and sex; his arguements against caste and untouchability; his thoughts on capitalisnm and socialism; his commitment to a united India, his firm belief in religious tolerance and, finally, his lifelong struggle towards the attainment of both home rule and self rule.