Gandhi

Rating:
Summary: Mahatma...the Great Soul.....
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A Book of Historical Inaccuracies
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Facts and fiction merge to create beautiful looking garbage.
Review: 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.