Like all creditable biographies, Gandhi is dedicated to presenting a balanced portrait of its subject. Many biographies emphasize personalities and do not adequately analyze the world in which the subject operated. Coolidge, however, acknowledges that Gandhi was a unique and fascinating man, but concentrates on the growth of his movement in the context of contemporary political events, particularly India's struggle for independence from Britain and for harmony among diverse religious groups. Of course, Coolidge does not altogether neglect Gandhi the man: anecdotes shed light on his complex personality, and succinct yet colorful descriptions of his friends and foes liven the text.