Gandhi as Disciple and Mentor

A series of biographical reflections on those who influenced and were influenced by Gandhi.

Thomas Weber (Author)

9780521842303, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 December 2004

294 pages
22.9 x 2.1 x 15.2 cm, 0.627 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Weber has written a stimulating and informative work …'. Resurgence

Thomas Weber's book comprises a series of biographical reflections about people who influenced Gandhi, and those who were, in turn, influenced by him. Whilst previous literature tended to focus on Gandhi's political legacy, Weber's book explores the spiritual, social and philosophical resonances of these relationships, and it is with these aspects of the Mahatma's life in mind, that the author selects his central protagonists. These include friends such as Henry Polak and Hermann Kallenbach, who are not as well known as those usually cited, but who left a deep impression nevertheless, and motivated some of Gandhi's major life changes. Conversely, the work of luminaries such as E. F. Schumacher and Gene Sharp reveal the Mahatma's influence in arenas which are not traditionally associated with his thinking. Weber's book offers intriguing insights into the life and thought of one of the most significant figures of the twentieth century.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Gandhi influenced
3. Henry Polak and the setting up of Phoenix settlement
4. Hermann Kallenbach and the move to Tolstoy Farm
5. Maganlal Gandhi and the decision to leave Sabarmati
6. Jamnalal Bajaj and the move to Sevagram
7. The top of the hourglass: Gandhi influenced
8. Gandhi's influence
9. Arne Naess: the ecological movement finds depth
10. Johan Galtung: peace research moves beyond war
11. E. F. Schumacher: economics as if people mattered
12. Gene Sharp: nonviolent activism becomes a political method
13. The bottom of the hourglass: Gandhi's influence.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], History of ideas [JFCX], Philosophy [HP], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], Asian history [HBJF], Regional studies [GTB]