- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Atlantic Books (1 Sep 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843548593
- ISBN-13: 978-1843548591
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 300,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
A tight, gripping and powerful book that shines a light on a moment of hope, not just for one nation but the whole world. -- Daily Express
Review
"* 'I think the way [Carlin] carried out his task in South Africa [in the 1990s] was magnificent. It is easy now for a journalist to criticise everybody, including the government, but in those days you could count journalists with that courage on the fingers of one hand.' - Nelson Mandela"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Playing the Enemy is a very timely book. In these days when nations are often more divided than before, Nelson Mandela's instinct to show respect, friendliness, and common purpose with those who saw him as an enemy is a beacon that lights up the potential for all people to come together to accomplish more. John Carlin has used the Rugby World Cup imaginatively to illustrate the essence of President Mandela's approach. Mr. Carlin is a wonderful story teller, and you'll feel chills as you read the many great moments he brilliantly captures in Playing the Enemy.
Leaders have always used foreign enemies to bring their purpose together. Who realized that this could be done at the level of sport rather than through war as a way to unify a country where people were deeply suspicious (even paranoid) about one another?
I was glad to see that Mr. Carlin provided lots of background about how someone imprisoned for decades became the leader of a reconstituted nation in South Africa and went on to accomplish things that not even the most optimistic would have expected. President Mandela's story is one for the ages, and this way of telling the story makes it easier to understand for those who never saw South Africa during the Apartheid regime.
Although I had long studied and worked to help change the government in South Africa from the inside and outside, the political impact of the international boycott of the South African rugby team had been lost to me. I hope those who would like to encourage governments to behave more appropriately towards their people will remember this example.
Bravo, Mr. Carlin!
Leaders have always used foreign enemies to bring their purpose together. Who realized that this could be done at the level of sport rather than through war as a way to unify a country where people were deeply suspicious (even paranoid) about one another?
I was glad to see that Mr. Carlin provided lots of background about how someone imprisoned for decades became the leader of a reconstituted nation in South Africa and went on to accomplish things that not even the most optimistic would have expected. President Mandela's story is one for the ages, and this way of telling the story makes it easier to understand for those who never saw South Africa during the Apartheid regime.
Although I had long studied and worked to help change the government in South Africa from the inside and outside, the political impact of the international boycott of the South African rugby team had been lost to me. I hope those who would like to encourage governments to behave more appropriately towards their people will remember this example.
Bravo, Mr. Carlin!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A simply brilliant read - John Carlin is excellent and provides a unique look behind the scenes of South Africa's transformation...I can't recommend it highly enough. If you like sport then this book is a must.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Carlin's book is wonderful from a political point of view. If you are a rugby fan (and you read it probably because you are) then be warned - the book is more about the transition to democracy than the World Cup tournament and the historical role of the Springboks.
Unfortunately Carlin has made the facts suit his story instead of the other way round. A chapter about the Boks' role in White Society (and the reverse for Blacks) would have lent his story more weight instead of relying on prior knowledge on the part of the reader. It doesn't fit his story but from 1970-76 the Boks played 22 internationals (plus the 1977 Northern Transvaal celebration game) and from 1980-86 they again played 25 games (plus the 1989 controversial World XV games to mark the SARUs centenary for which all were paid but that's another story!). True the Boks could only tour a few times (France 1974, South America 1980 and New Zealand 1981 with a stopover in New York) but reading Carlin you would think that the Boks didn't play any rugby at all after 1981. Yes some of those internationals were against anyone that would risk condemnation and visit the Republic (such as various South American teams, weakened England sides and of course the Kiwi Cavaliers). None of this rates a mention, not even the aborted 1986 Lions Tour. Only the 1985 All Blacks do - but that tour did go ahead, in a way.
The story would have been more powerful if Carlin had showed how the Boks became increasingly isolated, not just tell us it happened. Luckily the rugby side of things has been told elsewhere, by Edward Griffiths (covering the period 1992-95) and Chris Greyvenstein (just ignore his dated excuses for apartheid). Also the artificial 1979 South African Barbarians tour of the UK (made up of a third white, third black and third coloured players) gave the insular world of rugby an excuse to readmit the Boks to the international calendar.
But it's a good read nonetheless and with background knowledge can be appreciated fully.
Unfortunately Carlin has made the facts suit his story instead of the other way round. A chapter about the Boks' role in White Society (and the reverse for Blacks) would have lent his story more weight instead of relying on prior knowledge on the part of the reader. It doesn't fit his story but from 1970-76 the Boks played 22 internationals (plus the 1977 Northern Transvaal celebration game) and from 1980-86 they again played 25 games (plus the 1989 controversial World XV games to mark the SARUs centenary for which all were paid but that's another story!). True the Boks could only tour a few times (France 1974, South America 1980 and New Zealand 1981 with a stopover in New York) but reading Carlin you would think that the Boks didn't play any rugby at all after 1981. Yes some of those internationals were against anyone that would risk condemnation and visit the Republic (such as various South American teams, weakened England sides and of course the Kiwi Cavaliers). None of this rates a mention, not even the aborted 1986 Lions Tour. Only the 1985 All Blacks do - but that tour did go ahead, in a way.
The story would have been more powerful if Carlin had showed how the Boks became increasingly isolated, not just tell us it happened. Luckily the rugby side of things has been told elsewhere, by Edward Griffiths (covering the period 1992-95) and Chris Greyvenstein (just ignore his dated excuses for apartheid). Also the artificial 1979 South African Barbarians tour of the UK (made up of a third white, third black and third coloured players) gave the insular world of rugby an excuse to readmit the Boks to the international calendar.
But it's a good read nonetheless and with background knowledge can be appreciated fully.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Playing with the Enemy
Playing with the Enemy is a very inspirational book. The book brought back many memories as I reflect on my childhood playing baseball in the housing projects in Boston. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jack
Fantastic read
An unbelievable story, exceptionally well captured. I bought 4 copies to give as presents as soon as I finished. Everyone has come back with a similar review. Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. Robinson
Superb
'Don't address their brains, address their hearts!' What a book, I nominated this in my book club as I only knew the basics about Mandela. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by Eimear Mithen
Incomplete, yet wonderfully moving
Well, might as well admit it. I cried, and not just remembering how that shocking, ear-splitting low-level fly-over - on top of one of the worst hangovers I've ever had - almost... Read more
Published on 18 May 2009 by M. Ryan
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