Swami Vivekananda remains an icon for all time, especially for the youth. He touched theives of numerous personalities across the globe, including physicistsike Nikola Tesla and J.C. Bose; and entrepreneursike Rockefeller and J.R.D Tata. His famous Chicago address at the Parliament of Religions in 1893 is considered the turning point in the revival of Hindu pride at a universalevel. His speeches and writings cover a vast range of topics"from science to spirituality, from technology to casteism, from Yoga to Vedanta. In a shortifespan of thirty-nine years, he triggered national resurgence in all walks ofife. Essential Vivekananda is a compact, concise, representation that unveils all the shades of his personality and gives the reader an essential understanding of Swami Vivekananda"the monk and the man. It serves to introduce readers to hisife, message and influence, and hopes to urge the reader to go to the original sources and know more about this glorious son of India.