Gotama Buddha's influence after the lapse of 26 centuries is still a mighty force in the world. The modern world, with its passionate belief in organization and in wealth, may learn much from Gotama. According to the author, "Here was a man who, without setting up an elaborate organization, despising wealth and trusting only the contagion of great ideas, exerted an influence which is still potent in the heart of half the human race.

In this biography of Buddha, Gotama the man stands and breathes again. It is captivating in its combination of scholarly accuracy with undisguised admiration for the majestic character of Gotama. It will enable the reader of rise above prejudice and recognize in Gotama one of the world's noblemen, a rare lover of his kind, a hater of sham, a seeker after the unknown God.