Gandhi—Pioneer of Nonviolent Social Change

This biography examines the life and work of Gandhi within a global context, with an emphasis on how Gandhi's ideas and life shaped the 20^th-century world. Gandhi: Pioneer of Nonviolent Social Change, part of the Library of World Biography Series, is aimed primarily at readers with little or no background knowledge of Gandhi or his ideas. This book covers the important aspects of his life and the major components of his philosophy. Through an examination of Gandhi's life and legacy, particularly as a pioneer in the quest for justice and freedom through nonviolent means, this biography reveals lessons that inform our world--both present and future.

Tara Sethia is Professor of History, founder and Director of Ahimsa Center at California State Polytechnic University , Pomona, where she has helped establish on campus a degree program for a Minor in Nonviolence Studies. In addition to teaching courses dealing with India and Southeast Asia, Women and South Asia, and nonviolence, she has also offered a seminar on Gandhi and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in World history. Her recent publications include an edited book ,Ahimsa , Anekanta and Jainism (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass , 2004); and articles on Vardhamana Mahavira , Mohandas K. Gandhi , Nonviolence and Social Change for the Berkshire Enclyopedia of World History (2005). She has also made numerous presentations at national and international conferences on a variety of topics , including peace and nonviolence. Sethia is the recipient of several grants, awards and honors, including Gold and Silver Medals from the University of Rajasthan, India. She was the principal investigator and director of Program on India and China for K-12 Educators, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1995-98.Currently, she is editing a volume of essays, Rediscovering Gandhian Wisdom: Building a Peaceful Future (forthcoming, Penguin India).