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A Long Walk to Freedom Vol 2
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Amazon.co.uk Review
The famously taciturn South African president reveals much of himself in Long Walk to Freedom. A good deal of this autobiography was written secretly while Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island by South Africa's apartheid regime. Among the book's interesting revelations is Mandela's ambivalence toward his lifetime of devotion to public works. It cost him two marriages and kept him distant from a family life he might otherwise have cherished. Long Walk to Freedom also discloses a strong and generous spirit that refused to be broken under the most trying circumstances--a spirit in which just about everybody can find something to admire. --Amazon.com
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Review
A tale of anger and sorrow, love and joy, grace and elegance (DAILY NEWS )
Indispensable ... [a] unique life-story (Anthony Sampson )
A truly stunning account of his extraordinary life ... A vivid testimony to an unusual mixture of courage, persistence, tolerance, and forgiveness (Sir David Steel )
One of the most life- affirming books you'll read (GQ )
Indispensable ... [a] unique life-story (Anthony Sampson )
A truly stunning account of his extraordinary life ... A vivid testimony to an unusual mixture of courage, persistence, tolerance, and forgiveness (Sir David Steel )
One of the most life- affirming books you'll read (GQ )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mandela combines the gift of a natural story-teller with a lawyer's skill in presenting his tale, and from the evocative pictures drawn of his childhood in a rural tribal settlement to the impulsive adventures of youth in Johannesburg, there is an unerring sense of destiny. The image of the run-away youngster gives a telling hint of the spirited courage Mandela would need later when he took on the mantle of political pioneer in a national cause.
The sense of destiny is also there in the long years of imprisonment when Mandela's patience and tolerance are fully tested by the cruelties of long-term confinement. His accounts of rare visits from family and friends, equally rare letters, read and re-read, plus living with memories and photographs of people and places last seen up to two decades before, all have an authentic and poignant ring. Far from being dull or monotonous, the account of the years in prison is absorbing, as Mandela has a gift for bringing alive some colourful anecdotes.
Mandela manages to smooth over some events such as the circumstances of his arrest, his deteriorating relations with Winnie, and whose idea it really was to open negotiations with de Klerk, since I remain unconvinced he could have really been operating outside of previously agreed ANC criteria. However quite enough information is provided to make a full story, and nothing can detract from Mandela's towering achievement in delivering a fledgling democracy without an accompanying and much-feared bloodbath.
The many references Mandela makes to being a "freedom fighter," and his backing for the use of arms in the struggle against apartheid, could read uncomfortably in the light of more recent global terrorism concerns, and it is clear that only someone with his natural integrity could have harnessed those energies to such a constructive outcome.
Heroism, adventure, the fulfilment of destiny following a long period of adversity, plus a measure of the politician's polish in smoothing over the awkward passages, all combine to make Mandela's autobiography a great read. His fluent use of the English language alone makes the book worthwhile , and having finished it I found myself missing the companionable authority of the author's tone. The book as whole helped me to glimpse the workings of the mind of a great statesman at some key historic moments. Highly recommended.
The sense of destiny is also there in the long years of imprisonment when Mandela's patience and tolerance are fully tested by the cruelties of long-term confinement. His accounts of rare visits from family and friends, equally rare letters, read and re-read, plus living with memories and photographs of people and places last seen up to two decades before, all have an authentic and poignant ring. Far from being dull or monotonous, the account of the years in prison is absorbing, as Mandela has a gift for bringing alive some colourful anecdotes.
Mandela manages to smooth over some events such as the circumstances of his arrest, his deteriorating relations with Winnie, and whose idea it really was to open negotiations with de Klerk, since I remain unconvinced he could have really been operating outside of previously agreed ANC criteria. However quite enough information is provided to make a full story, and nothing can detract from Mandela's towering achievement in delivering a fledgling democracy without an accompanying and much-feared bloodbath.
The many references Mandela makes to being a "freedom fighter," and his backing for the use of arms in the struggle against apartheid, could read uncomfortably in the light of more recent global terrorism concerns, and it is clear that only someone with his natural integrity could have harnessed those energies to such a constructive outcome.
Heroism, adventure, the fulfilment of destiny following a long period of adversity, plus a measure of the politician's polish in smoothing over the awkward passages, all combine to make Mandela's autobiography a great read. His fluent use of the English language alone makes the book worthwhile , and having finished it I found myself missing the companionable authority of the author's tone. The book as whole helped me to glimpse the workings of the mind of a great statesman at some key historic moments. Highly recommended.
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a long book, but extremely worthwhile in its insights into South Africa as well as to Nelson Mandela himself. I got a real feeling from this book of what it feels like to live in a society where the state is constantly tightening the screws on your rights and freedoms. The contrast between the way that Mandela is treated outside the country (as a scholar and statesman) and at home (as a dangerous terrorist and member of a racial underclass) comes over most strongly.
Mandela's tales of prison life (of 27 years) also give an insight into the way that the political mind works. Where many would have succumbed to desperation and terminal introspection, Mandela is still compelled to debate, to organise, to protest and to educate. Finally, Robben Island was widely considered an "ANC University", and the authorities were still afraid of Mandela and his colleagues even after they had been in prison for two decades.
A fascinating personal history of one the key conflicts of the 20th century, and a must for students of democracy.
75 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I will admit that as a twenty year oldguy i have not really read a whole book in my entire life..with other media like television stealing my mind, books have not really appealed to me. I dont know why i bought this book, but i can tell you that from the first page i becam glued!!! I read it at every oppurtunity i had from when i had breaks at work...to when i was goin to sleep. This book has a hook in every chapter that makes you want to read on. My friends and I knew nothing of Nelson Mandela ebfore i read this book, apart from this image that he was a hero. I now understand why, and idolise this man who dedicated his life to give the people of South Africa the right to live. This book covers everything from his early childhood, through to the ANC, His imprisonment at Robben Island...right up to the freedom that he achieved. I am not a professinal crtic, and i have no real great words in my mind that could the describe this book to its fullest...so all i will say is its AMAZING, and that if you havent read this book...do...it will make you think twice about the world we live in and understand the goodwill in people throughout this world...my next task is to read up on Winnie Mandela..who would of thought i would become a book freak!!! ;-)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting book
Very interesting story of an amazing man and a hero. Don't normally read this sort of book but glad I did.
Published 2 months ago by Jinesh Patel
Quite simply the best book I have ever read.
This is the best book I have ever read and I cannot believe I will read a better one.
Picking this book up I knew very, very little of Nelson Mandela and knew even less... Read more
Picking this book up I knew very, very little of Nelson Mandela and knew even less... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Matt Black 81
Inspiring and Informative
I decided I wanted to find out more about this living legend. The story is one that had to be told and I was honoured to hear it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by MC
Really Enjoyable
I thought this book a bit fat and chunky when I first got it through the post but after reading the first few pages I realised it was written well and because of this it wasn't so... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nathan Strange
Nelson
Despite the size of the book it was an extremely easy read. Interesting and informative how events unfolded by the man himself.
Published 7 months ago by Chris
Iconic Book
NM is obviously an icon of our generation, and this book although long is one for the bucket list and has to be read.
Published 8 months ago by Ben Rawson
Long Walk To Freedom
Coming from South Africa, it is amazing to read the other side of what happened.
Good for political discussions.
Loved it!
Good for political discussions.
Loved it!
Published 9 months ago by Jason Kenneth Mahar
Well worth it
In a day and age when there are many international issues beseiging us on a daily basis to the point where we have become immune, this is the legacy of a man who made history. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ash
Brilliant read
I thought it was beautifully written and very engaging; you feel the passion of this tireless and endless battle that Nelson upheld. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ms. V. Johnson
Inspirational Learning
If like me, you are familiar with the name and know a little about his past; then this is the book to read. Whilst an autobiograph is one sided. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ms. J. K. Moore
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