This is a new book from Richard Johnson, who tells me that his book is the first Gandhi reader in 50 years with writings by and about Mahatma Gandhi and the first ever with a biography. It looks quite good, and it seems likely that I will use it as a text the next time I teach the Philosophy of Gandhi. –Barry Gan
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Gandhi’s Experiments with Truth: Essential Writings by and about Mahatma Gandhi. Edited by Richard L. Johnson:
“Those looking for an introduction to Gandhi, seasoned nonviolent activists, and long time students of Gandhi will all find this to be a remarkable collection. Johnson has brought together key selections from Gandhi’s writings with insightful essays by a variety of Gandhian scholars on Gandhi’s nonviolence, views on religion, methods of political, economic, and cultural change and his continuing influence and relevance for today. I cannot think of a better book that unites Gandhi’s own words with very readable essays covering a breadth of topics on Gandhi’s life and thought. Johnson’s book makes clear again Gandhi’s importance as a resource for creating a more just and peaceful world.” –Peter R. Gathje, Christian Brothers University
“In a time ravaged by large-scale violence and unending ‘terror wars,’ nothing seems more urgent than to be reminded of another possibility: the path of non-violent struggle for justice exemplified by Gandhi. This volume assembles for the first time writings both by Gandhi and about Gandhi, the latter by some of the most distinguished experts in the field. Richard Johnson deserves credit for his judicious selections and for persuasively arguing that Gandhian satyagraha is ‘the only way to stop terrorism.'” –Fred Dallmayr, University of Notre Dame
This comprehensive Gandhi reader provides an essential new reference for scholars and students of his life and thought. It is the only text available that presents Gandhi’s own writings, including excerpts from three of his books-“An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth”, “Satyagraha
in South Africa”, “Hind Swaraj” (“Indian Home Rule”)-a major pamphlet, “Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place ‘, and many journal articles and letters along with a biographical sketch of his life in historical context and recent essays by highly regarded scholars. The writers of these essays-hailing from the United States, Canada, Great Britain and India, with academic credentials in several different disciplines-examine his nonviolent campaigns, his development of programs to unify India, and his impact on the world in the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first.
“Gandh’s Experiments with Truth” provides an unparalleled range of scholarly material and perspectives on this enduring philosopher, peace activist, and spiritual guide.
About the Editor
*Richard L. Johnson* professor of Germanic languages and director of peace and conflict studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Ft. Wayne.
Contents:
Gandhi’s Experiments with Truth: Private Life, *Satyagraha*, and the Constructive Programme, Richard L. Johnson
*Part I: Gandhi’s Life and Thought*
From Childhood to *Satyagrahi *by Richard L. Johnson
Return to India by Richard L. Johnson
*Part II: Selections from Writings by Gandhi*
*An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth*
*Satyagraha in South Africa*
*Hind Swaraj (Indian Home Rule)* and Related Writings
*Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place* and Related Writings
Short Moral and Political Writings
*Part III: Writings about Gandhi*
Part A. Gandhi’s Practice and Theory of *Satyagraha*
The Birth of Gandhian *Satyagraha*: Nonviolent Resistance and Soul Force by Michael Sonnleitner
Gandhian Freedoms and Self-Rule by Anthony J. Parel
Gandhi’s Politics by Ronald J. Terchek
“*Satyagraha*, the Only Way to Stop Terrorism” by Richard L. Johnson
Gandhi and Human Rights: In Search of True Humanity by Judith M. Brown
Gandhi’s Constructive Programme by Michael Nagler
Part B. Gandhi’s Impact on the World
Gandhi in the Mind of America by Lloyd I. Rudolph
The Availability of Gandhi: Toward a Neo-Gandhian Praxis by Makarand Paranjape
Gandhi, Contemporary Political Thinking, and Self-Other Relations by Douglas Allen
Gandhi’s Legacy by Bhikhu Parekh
Gandhi’s Contribution to Global Nonviolent Awakening by Glenn Paige
Gandhi, Nonviolence, and the Struggle against War by Richard Falk
Studies in Comparative Philosophy and Religion series
November 2005, 408 pages
ISBN 0-7391-1143-4 $28.95 paper
ISBN 0-7391-1142-6 $90.00 cloth
*Considering this book for your course? Visit
www.RowmanLittlefield.com/CollegePublishing to order an exam copy today.*
