Another book which was pressed into my reluctant hands by my Indian friend at work. Once again, I am not sure to what extent my friend has any real interest in Ghandhi per se, or just enjoys making people read something that may perhaps reflect back on him in a literate and worldy way.
While most of my co-workers who received this large tome of historical recounting responded by taking it home for a few weeks and then returning it unread, I took it home, made a decision about where it may fit into my timeline and committed myself to the daunting task of forcing my way through a large volume that I had uncertain interests in. Why? I ask myself this question still today, nearly two years after the sludgery of downing dry historical and socialogical musings about a dead (great, but dead nonetheless) man whose excellence was often best personified by inaction. Was it out of a debt to my friend? Was it a semi-conscious urge to better myself by reading something not containing little green men or dudes in capes? Did I think it would give me a better perspective on contemporary graphic novels about Hinduism? Perhaps I was wanting to expand my understanding of the early twentieth century setting of my readings. My overall interest was, it has to be said, just not there, though.
In truth the book did contain a lot of interesting facts and musings on Ghandhi's early life, as well as many stories of his early involvement with labor strikes and unions. I read the book as set in the late sixties, as that is the timeframe in which the author visited India and collated interviews and research on Ghandi's life. It is interesting to hear friends and acquantences of Ghandi speak of him. I am quite sure that there were a few passages I read aloud to my wife, as they may have been very interesting, suprising or humorous stories about the man.
Although the book served very well as something I could read on an airplane and look intellectual, and it also was a super good paperweight, it mostly worked effectively as a sleeping aid. The length seemed doubled as I could often only get through half a page at a time without nodding off.
I recommend this book only to die-hard Ghandi historians. And people who are easily pressured by friends from India.
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