Mahatma Gandhi

First published in 1993, Dennis Dalton's iconoclastic account of Gandhi's political and intellectual development gained prominence for its balance and extensive research, as well as its portrayal of Gandhi as a deeply human and complex force. Focusing on the leader's two signal triumphs: the civil disobedience movement (or salt satyagraha) of 1930 and the Calcutta fast of 1947, Dalton makes clear that Gandhi's lifelong career in national politics gave him the opportunity to develop and...
More Description

First published in 1993, Dennis Dalton's iconoclastic account of Gandhi's political and intellectual development gained prominence for its balance and extensive research, as well as its portrayal of Gandhi as a deeply human and complex force. Focusing on the leader's two signal triumphs: the civil disobedience movement (or salt satyagraha) of 1930 and the Calcutta fast of 1947, Dalton makes clear that Gandhi's lifelong career in national politics gave him the opportunity to develop and refine his ideals. He controversially concludes with a comparison of Gandhi's methods and the strategies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, proposing a fascinating juxtaposition that not only enriches the biography of all three figures but also proves Gandhi's relevance to the study of race and political leadership in America. A new afterword situates Gandhi within the ""clash of civilizations"" debate, identifying the implications for continuing nonviolent protests. Dalton also conducts an extensive overview of Gandhian studies and includes a detailed chronology of events in Gandhi's life and leadership.