Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography

Gandhi was among the most photographed world leaders of his time if not of all times. If I had not seen Pramod Kapoors profusely illustrated biography. I would not have believed there was a whole treasure chest of photos yet to be discovered that were neither seen, printed or published before. The accompanying text makes it a highly accessible and readable biography. A rare collectors item.SHYAM BENEGAL, Acclaimed Filmmaker and Director This seemingly modest book on Gandhi is not merely a charming mix of photographs and texts. It is also a memorable lesson on how to be celebratory without being hagiographic. ASHIS NANDY, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Countries Pramod Kapoors book is a personal and wonderfully intimate photographic journey through Gandhis life. Eventhose familiar with Gandhis story will discover things to surprise, delight and inform them in this moving book. SUNIL KHILNANI, Director, Kings India Institute and Professor of Politics, Kings College, London. His life and ideals remain an inspiration across the world but in reality, it was the complexity of his character that made Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi such a fascinating subject. Yet, much of the finer details of his life and intellectual growth has been obscured by the greatness of his achievements. To bring them all together in this illustrated biography is to bring alive one of the most revered figures in modern Indian history and in a way that is a departure from earlier works. Gandhi: An Illustrated Biography is an intimate study into the evolution of a mischievous, fun-loving boy, into the Mahatma. From his schooling andearly marriage in Kathiawar to his first brushes with the grandeur of London; from his chance employment for a legal case in South Africa to a train ride in Pietermaritzburg that led to his first fight for equality; from a relatively unsuccessful lawyer to a globally celebrated crusader for human rights - Gandhi was that rare rebel who redefined the meaning of mass resistance for generations to come. This book is the result of intensive research and tracks Gandhis life through photographs sourced from across the world. The chronological text and accompanying photographs bring out his unique complexities - his failures and successes, the intimate relations he shared with his contemporaries and the difficult one he shared with his own family. This book is a labour of love and an attempt to portray Gandhis methods and his message for a new generation of readers.