Gandhi and Churchill: The Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age - Softcover

Herman, Arthur

4.12

1,355 ratings by Goodreads

9780091921323: Gandhi and Churchill: The Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091921325 ISBN 13: 9780091921323

Publisher: Hutchinson, 2008

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Mohandas Gandhi and Winston Churchill: India's moral leader and Great Britain's greatest Prime Minister. Born five years and seven thousand miles apart, they became embodiments of the nations they led. Both became living icons, idolized and admired around the world. Today, they remain enduring models of leadership in a democratic society. Yet the truth was Churchill and Gandhi were bitter enemies throughout their lives. This book reveals, for the first time, how that rivalry shaped the twentieth century and beyond. For more than forty years, from 1906 to 1948, Gandhi and Churchill were locked in a tense struggle for the hearts and minds of the British public, and of world opinion. Although they met only once, their titanic contest of wills would decide the fate of nations, continents, peoples, and ultimately an Empire. Here is a sweeping epic with a fascinating supporting cast, and a brilliant narrative parable of two men whose great successes were always haunted by personal failure - and whose final moments of triumph were overshadowed by the loss of what they held most dear.

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Review:

"Gandhi & Churchill is a powerful tale of the monumental clash between two of the giants of the twentieth century. Set against the backdrop of war and conflict, this brilliant dual biography of strong-willed visionaries locked in a struggle each believed in makes for compelling reading. Arthur Herman has written a masterful and superbly well researched account of the lives of two men who have had a profound influence on the world in which we live in today that will long stand as a testament to their legacy."--Carlo D'Este, author of "Patton: A Genius For War" and "Eisenhower: A Soldier's Life" "A fast-paced narrative history...Herman brings to life the twilight of the British Empire and reminds us how the twists and turns of fate helped propel these two men to their places in history. He shows us that there was more common ground between the two than most realize and that the seemingly simple tale of the imperialist and the nationalist is far more nuanced than it seems." -- Pramit Pal Chaudhuri," The Hindustan Times," Bernard Schwartz Fellow, Asia Society "Cutting through decades of narrow or shallow reporting, Arthur Herman offers a balanced and elegant account which captures both Churchill's generosity of spirit and Gandhi's greatness of soul. While recognizing their faults, he shows what motivated them and made them great--with impressive research that in Churchill's words leaves "no stone unturned, no cutlet uncooked." The last two chapters, and the author's Conclusion, are alone worth the price of what must become the standard work on the subject."--Richard M. Langworth, Editor, "Finest Hour""The rivalry between Winston Churchill and Mohandas Gandhi could hardlyhave been played for higher stakes. The future of British India hung upon the outcome of their 20-year struggle.... As one might expect from the author of "To Rule the Waves, "a fine history ... Mr. Herman has researched Gandhi & Churchill meticulously and written it fluently."--"Wall Street Journal" "An amazingly interesting and perceptive presentation of these two titans of the 20th century.... I learned so much."--Deirdre Donahue, "USA Today's "book reviewer, on the NPR program "On Point" "A forceful portrait of the emergence of the postcolonial era in the fateful contrast--and surprising affinities--between two historic figures.... Fascinating."--"Publishers Weekly ""Herman's book focuses on two imposing figures who epitomized the clash .... he has probed beneath the stereotypes... [and] tells their stories stylishly and eloquently."--"Washington Post Book World" "Herman's storytelling style is engaging, giving new life to stories we have already heard and even forgotten.... Then there are the surprises.... Provocative, intriguing, even controversial."--"India Today" "Scruplous, compelling, and unfailingly instructive.... A detailed and richly filigreed account that introduces the Anglo-American reader to many facts and vivid if little-known personalities, both English and Indian." -"Commentary" " Brisk narrative flow.... Showing history eluding Gandhi and Churchill, Herman provocatively presents their efforts to shape it."--"Booklist ""Exhaustively detailed."--"St. Louis Post-Dispatch" "From the Hardcover edition."

Book Description:

The epic story of the rivalry that shaped the 20th century and poses questions for the 21st.

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