Gandhi's Truth: On the Origins of Militant Nonviolence

I was surprised to discover that Erikson’s Gandhi is a sort of travelogue or journalistic diary. It is not like ‘Young Man Luther’ at all, and, pleasantly enough, doesn’t seem to keep to it’s basic assumptions, such as its traumatology. The fact that it is built around an ‘Event’, but not in any traumatological or originological sense, was unexpected. Certainly, Erikson comes out as a brilliant observer as a better talker. Erikson is thoroughly interesing. I find that in this book he’s sort of works backward, trying to find childhood evidence of what he knows transpired in the future. The background information, though apparently sufficient to his purpose, is not extensive. He said nothing, for instance, about the political or social context at the time of Gandhi’s life before leaving for England. Of course, strictly speaking this is not a biography, and seems to take minute biographical data (which does not interest him) as given elsewhere. Nonetheless, the book is a brilliant work of many insights and sharp acumen. I was surprised that, midway through his work, Erikson addresses a sort of talk to Gandhi himself. An interesting style I didn’t expect. Though he deals with violence extensively (and non-violence), it seems important to him to find a link with Gandhi’s sexuality, which, of course, makes sense, since Gandhi himself seems to have made the connection. Erikson’s intuitions are profound and wide-ranging. His work leaves you wanting more. It gives one much food for thought. Thoroughly fascinating. His deep insights are a wonder to behold. Erikson peels intuitions off Gandhi layer by layer, seldom missing anything, always giving due credit, and consistently going to the limits of whatever he deals with. A master of psychobiography, Erikson does honour to biography writing as to psychology.

Very interesting book. I like the way Erikson tries to understand Gandhi’s motives, 1900’s South African/Indian zeitgeist, and cultural context. His aim is to think like Gandhi so that he can explain him. Great book, difficult to read at times because of its highly academic jargon.

For a psychobiography, this book hit the nail on the head. Erikson took the small but fundamental aspects of Gandhi's early beginnings, adolescence, and adult life and brought them to life and understanding through the use of theory.

Recommended book for anyone in the social sciences, especially developmental psychology. Includes the developmental milestones of adulthood. Maybe difficult for some to understand unless the individual has a background in psychology

This is an intriguing analysis of Gandhi from a developmental point of view. Anything by Erikson is a joy to read and this is no exception.

Incredible book to read night after night. Erikson's analysis is methodical. After reading the biography, this was a great update.

Helped great for psych. research.

Classic, brilliant.