In this touching yet rigorous biography, Louis Fischer narrates the life of the Mahatma Gandhi: his childhood in India; his life in London where he studied law; his experiences in South Africa where he worked for legal equality between Hindus, blacks and whites; and finally, his return to India, where he applied his extraordinary talent towards the cause of independence.

The author reflects on the true meaning of the lessons of Gandhi for each of us: his insistence in goodness, honesty, humility, nonviolence and reverence for the human spirit.