I have written this review on the Amazon website about a profound and important book about Mahatma Gandhi by his grandson, Rajmohan.

I cannot begin to imagine the feelings of those poor people fleeing from persecution in places like Syria and then suddenly finding their dreams of getting to the United States devastated. Actually I can begin to, but only just. In 1984 my wife and I were living in Oregon and that summer we travelled to a conference in Switzerland followed by a visit to friends in England. On the last day I called in at the US Embassy in London and was suddenly told that we were not travelling on the right visa and wouldn’t be allowed in.

I have lived in the United States for about a third of my life. As an evacuee from war-torn Britain (1940-45) I imbibed in my American schools all that young Americans did growing up at that time whether it was the patriotism of Nathan Hale: ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country’ or of Barbara Frietchie’s Civil War story: "Shoot if you must this old grey head but spare my country’s flag” she said.’ I learned to recite Paul Revere’s story from Longfellow’s poem: ‘On the 18th of April 75 hardly a man is now alive who remembers that famous day and year’ (I was actually in the same class at school with his descendant, Paul Revere).

The Times of London last week carried an obituary of RAF officer Tom Tate. The paper said of him, 'In the story of Anglo-German reconciliation after the war there were few more extraordinary tales than that of Tom Tate.' His story is one of the many featured by Michael Henderson in his book 'No Enemy to Conquer - Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World.'

Did he spell my name right?

Forgiveness: a stunningly original strategy

Books: Towards a better future for our grandchildren

Evacuation: I think your mother was very brave

Family: You may be surprised whom you encounter

'I wouldn't have missed doing my little bit out here' - Pvt A Douglas Henderson London Scottish Regiment, France 1915