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 Jeeez, I didn't know Gandhi was so contentious September 5, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was a little disappointed in this book. I have to admit I get a certain amount of pleasure from seeing heroes dethroned. The Mother Theresa book by Christopher Hitchens comes to mind. But the dethroning has to be done in a neutral, balanced, logical manner and it has to actually contain material that dethrones the person. This book dosen't do that. Take the racism thing. There are some tepid quotes that use racist terms (at least I think their racist), but at worst Gandhi comes off looking like person whose main concern is the welfare of other Indians and has some of the prejudices of his era. So he was an Indian fighting for Indian rights, this makes him a bad person how? I mean there is no Nazi-like hate, just some stereotyping very mild racist imagery. I mean, he wasn't writing diatribes on genocide. And we have to remember the times. Lincoln was a racist, but nobody tries to say he was a bad man. So Gandhi's racism comes off as nothing particularly salacious. Moreover, a generous reading of the quotes could even exculpate Gandhi from the racist charge. You know, he was writing for a particular audience, cognisant that a brutal racist regime was monitoring his words and activities so over course his writings were going to be of the moment.
So for me, a successful expose and dethroning requires facts, some neutrality on the part of the author, and a compelling case. This book doesn't have those things. That being said, it is educational to see the other side of gandhi in order to remind ourselves that was just a man who had a time and a context, not a prophet from up high.
And if this is the worst that can be said about Gandhi, maybe he really was a great man. So in short, this book was interesting but not something that changed my mind on Gandhi to any great degree. Now for a good dethroning, check out Hitchens' Mother Theresa book. That one's done right.
The thing I find more interesting than the book are the other reviews and the comments people have left. I had no idea Gandhi was such a politicized figure in today's world. I mean he did die like fifty years ago, but people's passions still get aroused by his image. But I guess that's what happens when try to deify a person.
 Must read to find the truth behind Gandhi October 21, 2007
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
Book details the real and true life of Gandhi, which is different from what is told and taught in India. Hadn't I left India, I would have never known this truth. This book talks about How Gandhi exploited South Africans and Indians. His life as portrayed in Hollywood and Bollywood movies is far from the truth. His character and moral was very low contrary to what society thinks. G.B. Singh has done a great a job in bringing truth to light. Everyone should read this book and decide for themselves. Do check out the excerpts from Gandhi's biography as mentioned in the book. Should be read. Excellent book.
Great book at last to uncover the true Gandhi October 3, 2007
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
At last someone actually has unmasked Gandhi (Gand...meaning garbage in Punjabi; hi meaning it is). I remember when I read Gandhi's, "My Experiences with Truth" in my early 20's I was puzzled to read his loyalty towards the oppressor in South Africa and not with the oppressed. Further reading of his own book made me wonder about the idealist who is portrayed as Father of the Indian Nation and his true being.
A must read for any and all Western people who want to study India, Indian contemporary politics and race relations. I will make this book a gift to all my Western friends who are interested in India, non-violence, anti-Muslim riots in India so that they can read Gandhi's own words. Great effort and of course it had to be a Singh (lion) to write and confront the Indian Administration's propaganda machine!!
An execellent approach August 6, 2007
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is the real face of so called "the bappu of India", a wolf disguised in sheep's clothing. Now people (especially Indian) should accept this truth, or at least think before telling stories about him as "Mahatma".
Excellent Book June 16, 2007
10 out of 18 found this review helpful
An excellent book by Colonel Singh and a compelling addition to the existing literature about M.K. Gandhi. No historical figure is beyond critique.
I cannot believe M. Bawa posted such an idiotic review:
"Author is a biggest liar on the mother earth. I cannot imagine that he was Colonel in Indian Army. I have an opinion that he must have deserted his men and his country before stooping to this level to gain cheap popularity."
G.B. Singh is a full-bird Colonel in the AMERICAN Army and has been serving the United States for nearly three decades.
It is fine if you have qualms with the book, but shame on you M. Bawa for insulting the author in such an ignorant manner.
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