Author: Thomas Weber
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 279
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8175964324
Description
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 the previous literature has 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 has selected his central protagonists. These include friends such as Henry Polak, Hermann Kallenbach, Maganlal Gandhi and Jamnalal Bajaj, who are not as well known as those who are usually cited, such as Ruskin and Tolstoy, but who left a deep impression nevertheless, and motivated some of Gandhi’s major life changes, such as his move to Tolstoy Farm. Conversely, the work of luminaries, such as Arne Næss, Johan Galtung, 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 new and intriguing insights into the life and thought of one of the best known and most significant figures of the twentieth century.
Contents
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. Bibliography Index