Catching up with Gandhi by Graham Turner has just been published by Penguin Books, India. It is a fresh introduction and appraisal of Gandhi and his legacy. Questioned by the Indian press about whether the world needed another book on Gandhi, Turner is quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying, 'I wanted to write something that young people would find interesting and accessible.'
The book's cover reads:
'In a world in thrall to money, how does one recapture the essence and unveil the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi - this man who espoused poverty but whose face is now, ironically, on every Indian bank note? What better than to follow in his footsteps, to visit the places which meant most to him and to talk to some of the people who knew him best?
'That is what Graham Turner decided to do, often in company with two of Gandhi's grandchildren, Rajmohan in India and Ela in South Africa. He went to the childhood homes of both Gandhi and his wife Kastur in Porbandar and visited the former British Residency in Rajkot from which Gandhi was unceremoniously ejected by one of the Raj's servants. The author stood in the modest courtroom in Ahmedabad where Gandhi was found guilty of sedition by that same Raj and ventured into the prisons to which Gandhi was so often consigned. Turner walked along the beach at Juhu where the Mahatma went to recuperate; and talked with Rajmohan at Birla House in New Delhi where his grandfather was assassinated.
'The result is both a fascinating journey and a candid and readable portrait of the man who, with all his well-documented foibles and weaknesses, not only led his country to freedom but also lit up the world with his life and ideas.
'Graham Turner has been for many years a nationally known, award-winning journalist in Britain. He was the BBC's first economics correspondent and worked for the Sunday Times, the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the Observer and the Daily Mail. His other books include a biography of Queen Elizabeth, based on intimate conversations with many of her family and friends. He has one wife, three children and one cat.'
The beautifully designed paperback includes sketch illustrations by Juliet Boobbyer, who is described in the book as 'an artist and writer who knows India well. Since her first visit in 1952 and subsequent visits with her husband Brian, a former England rugby international, she has travelled to almost every part of the country.' The front cover painting of Gandhi with his disciples is by the late Pandit Somnath Khosa ((1911-1983). The striking back cover photo of Rajmohan Gandhi walking with Graham Turner is taken by Peter Riddell. Turner has dedicated the book 'To Peter and Su Riddell, without whom this book would never have been started, still less finished.'
Reviews of the book have appeared in The Asian Age (2 January 2011), the Sunday Times of India, Mumbai (2 January), and The Hindustan Times (4 January).
ISBN 973-0-143-41569-5
English