Mohandas K. Gandhi, Autobiography

"My purpose," Mohandas K. Gandhi writes of this book, "is to describe experiments in the science of Satyagraha, not to say how good I am." Satyagraha, Gandhi's nonviolent protest movement (satya = true, agraha = firmness), came to stand, like its creator, as a moral principle and a rallying cry. In this autobiography, Gandhi recounts his boyhood, legal studies in England, and growing desire for purity and reform. He details his gradual conversion to vegetarianism and ahimsa (nonviolence) and the state of celibacy (brahmacharya, self-restraint) that became one of his most arduous spiritual trials. Mahatma Gandhi was a fascinating, complex figure, a brilliant leader and guide, a seeker of truth who died for his beliefs but had no use for martyrdom or sainthood. His story is a critical work of the 20th century, and timeless in its display of courage and inspiration to millions the world over.