- Unknown Binding
- Publisher: Quality Paperbacks Direct (1999)
- ASIN: B002GCEHYK
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
Mandela: The Authorised Biography
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this book Anthony Sampson has produced a thoroughly detailed account, not just of Mandela's life but of the history of the ANC. Having read "The Long Walk to Freedom", the reservations I had with that book are fully resolved here. Firstly Mandela writes little of the activities of the ANC whilst he was in prison; Sampson has provided an excellent coverage of both life within the prison and the activities without. Secondly, and understandably, Mandela writes little of the accusations against Winnie and the gradual deterioration of her status as a legitimate freedom fighter; Sampson discusses in great detail Winnie's role in the disturbances during the eighties and her lack of remorse as shown in her testemony to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
Sampson pays great attention to detail, covering each event thoroughly. This has been helped by the large amount of research he has done and the documentation he has been privy to. He has had access to all letters sent and received by the inmates on Robben Island, to the prison reports, to British and American diplomatic correspondance and to intelligence reports within South Africa, Britain and America. He has also interviewed many key figures on all sides.
Finally this book has the advantage of having been written after Nelson Mandela retired as President. As such we are provided with a fine analysis of his years in office, which previous biographies have lacked. Throughout this book Sampson also pays particular attention to discussing the views of the international community, at the time, of the situation in South Africa. This is an excellent book and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sampson first met Mandela in the early days - he saw him as a firebrand who would be a help for the cause, but was perhaps too impetuous and rash to have a lasting impact. Little did he know! But this early acquaintance combined with a deep understanding of South Africa mean that Sampson is able to trace both Mandela's development and his place in the big picture. This is no hagiography and Sampson is not one to gloss over the flaws and mistakes. But having these articulated makes for a much more powerful and credible life story - the man who did more than anyone to prevent a blood-bath and national carnage in 1994 comes across all the more remarkably.
A wonderful and gripping book - probably the best and most authoritative of contemporary biographies that will provide an invaluable resource for generations.
A wonderful and gripping book - probably the best and most authoritative of contemporary biographies that will provide an invaluable resource for generations.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read it while in Cape town and visiting Robben Island and it helped me understand. Sampson is sympathetic but seems to give the full story and continues after Long Walk to Freedom ends. A great book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
great book
I really enjoyed this book and found it very imformative,it does not leave much to the imagination which is a good thing considering it is a biography would recomend it to anyone.
Published 16 months ago by grandad
An excellent political autobiography
This is potentially one of the best (if not the best) autobiographies written about Nelson Mandela. The focus is on his political activities, with special emphasis on events during... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2003 by Varuni
Probably the definitive biography
This hugely detailed biography is recommended for anyone wanting to know more about Mandela (the icon and politician), the ANC and the political transformation of South Africa. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2000 by M. Weaver
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