I read this in my early youth and it had tremendous influence on me. Back then I was far less a cynic then I am today, but I think that even reading this today I would be inspired. I like Gandhi's very plain, straight-forward approach to politics, and I do wish there were more like him - that is, wo-men of values - in my generation.
If read by an someone with some free time on their hands, I would probably recommend reading this alongside George Orwell's short essay on Gandhi's autobiography. It makes for a good (that is, leftist critical) reading companion.