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kareimer's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this book up quickly from the library and was very excited about it. I wish I'd taken a moment to look it over (and see that the author was white). It's not that a white man can't necessarily write an autobiography of Mandela, but I felt that Carlin lacked respect for the racial tensions in South Africa and the impact of his framing. He made the perspective from this white general. He humanized this leader of these white movements (showing his family, his bros that he worked with, and how he just wanted to become a farmer). Thus, this general, became not only the narrator but also the man to feel for. Mandela, by contrast, was not humanized (he seemed like just the stock figure of another movement). He was not shown with family, very limited scenes with other members of his organization (the African National Congress) and it was super glossed over that he was detained in prison for 27 years! It seems almost impossible not to have made the readers sympathetic to Mandela (and if he wasn't already so well known you would have thought of him just to be another guy leading another group). The next issue was the book framed these different movements as just different organizations. The ANC was shown as just another group that needed reconciling with different white supremacist groups (the white wolves). Instead, these self-described neo-nazi groups should be represented as the terrorist groups they are. Meanwhile, the work Mandela did with the ANC should have been portrayed as the organization fighting to end apartheid. The scene where there were alternating views of the white general and Mandela telling their members to "imagine walking in the others shoes" I felt was very offputting. I understand that much of Mandela's work is driven by empathy and trying to connect with those opposing. I also understand the value of trying to understand different perspectives. However, equating the need for white folks to consider the impacts of segregation and the race-based killings is not the same as asking Black folks to empathize with these white folks who have been engaging in these systems of segregation and engaging in violence.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating graphic novel about the escalating violence and racial tension in South Africa following Mandela’s release and the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to his presidency.
valeria13's review against another edition
4.0
Me encantó. Es una lectura ligera aunque súper interesante.
toastx2's review against another edition
4.0
Mandela and the General: amazing art, apartheid, uncomfortable povs
I am not sure how I feel about this graphic novel. It was absolutely amazing, but it also borders on a white ‘we were not all bad!’/ ‘not me’ denial. Also- while Mandela is a character in this, but the book is actually more of a transformative view. Follows a man being influenced toward change and the complexity of a white perspective struggling with the upheaval of social structure they were taught was proper.
Nelson Mandela and General Constand Viljoen, the former chief of apartheid South Africa's military. These men are the core of this graphic novel. With distrust and mistreatment sedimented into strata over the years, there is no reason why the outcome of the South African apartheid revolution should have avoided more violence. Yet somehow..
Beginning with the release of Mandela after 27 years of incarceration and ending with the presidential election of the same man, this is a difficult work to read. The South African political and social structures were backward, needing shifting, while factions of white supremacists hid in open sight guised as political groups.
During this time, White Dutch ancestor Afrikaners start to become fearful of change. Viljoen himself is not as extremist as many and sees value in accepting many conversations over tea with Mandela. These conversations ultimately change the course of South African history with Viljoen.
Viljoen was not a super kiss and make up sort of gentleman, but he did have a strong desire to avoid open battle and citizen combat. This was the main driver pushing him to listen to Mandela and support universal suffrage. General Viljoen steps forward to headline the interest of retaining Aparteid in a bid for government seat.
The graphic novel is presented in a series of detailed black and white drawings, and mustard/gold highlights throughout. There are a number of panels feature beautiful rainbow colored shadowing which were striking and well timed.
Review based on a copy supplied by the publisher
I am not sure how I feel about this graphic novel. It was absolutely amazing, but it also borders on a white ‘we were not all bad!’/ ‘not me’ denial. Also- while Mandela is a character in this, but the book is actually more of a transformative view. Follows a man being influenced toward change and the complexity of a white perspective struggling with the upheaval of social structure they were taught was proper.
Nelson Mandela and General Constand Viljoen, the former chief of apartheid South Africa's military. These men are the core of this graphic novel. With distrust and mistreatment sedimented into strata over the years, there is no reason why the outcome of the South African apartheid revolution should have avoided more violence. Yet somehow..
Beginning with the release of Mandela after 27 years of incarceration and ending with the presidential election of the same man, this is a difficult work to read. The South African political and social structures were backward, needing shifting, while factions of white supremacists hid in open sight guised as political groups.
During this time, White Dutch ancestor Afrikaners start to become fearful of change. Viljoen himself is not as extremist as many and sees value in accepting many conversations over tea with Mandela. These conversations ultimately change the course of South African history with Viljoen.
Viljoen was not a super kiss and make up sort of gentleman, but he did have a strong desire to avoid open battle and citizen combat. This was the main driver pushing him to listen to Mandela and support universal suffrage. General Viljoen steps forward to headline the interest of retaining Aparteid in a bid for government seat.
The graphic novel is presented in a series of detailed black and white drawings, and mustard/gold highlights throughout. There are a number of panels feature beautiful rainbow colored shadowing which were striking and well timed.
Review based on a copy supplied by the publisher
val3xq_'s review against another edition
4.0
Me encantó. Es una lectura ligera aunque súper interesante.
livingpalm1's review
4.0
A graphic novel may be the best format for me to dive into this story that I would otherwise know nothing. Yes, I’m generally aware of Mandela’s legacy and the evils of apartheid, but this story fleshes out in a fuller dimension a few of the historical figures and their opposing movements. Take a chance on the illustrated format and read this book. Then pass it along. We need these stories, and I’m so grateful to Plough Publishing for getting them into our hands.
dgrachel's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through LibraryThing's early reviewer program in exchange for my honest review.
Mandela and the General is a brief history, in graphic novel format, of the end of apartheid in South Africa and how that came to pass. It's based primarily on an interview the author conducted with General Constand Viljoen. The book does have some good details, but I feel like this is a case where less is not more, and I was left feeling dissatisfied. I wanted more information on this pivotal time in South African history, as this barely scratched the surface.
Part of the problem may be that I am not the target audience, and I can see where this would be a good introduction to Mandela's history for a middle school student, something that would whet their appetite for further study. It lacked real depth. Another issue for me was the artwork. I didn't care for it, and when you don't like the art in a graphic novel, that makes it difficult to enjoy the story.
Overall, I'd give it 2.5 of 5 stars. I can see its value for a younger audience, but I wanted more.
Mandela and the General is a brief history, in graphic novel format, of the end of apartheid in South Africa and how that came to pass. It's based primarily on an interview the author conducted with General Constand Viljoen. The book does have some good details, but I feel like this is a case where less is not more, and I was left feeling dissatisfied. I wanted more information on this pivotal time in South African history, as this barely scratched the surface.
Part of the problem may be that I am not the target audience, and I can see where this would be a good introduction to Mandela's history for a middle school student, something that would whet their appetite for further study. It lacked real depth. Another issue for me was the artwork. I didn't care for it, and when you don't like the art in a graphic novel, that makes it difficult to enjoy the story.
Overall, I'd give it 2.5 of 5 stars. I can see its value for a younger audience, but I wanted more.
faegirl's review
4.0
I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy that people have been using graphic novels to tell history since a lot of these stories lend themselves well to the idea of action, adventure, and heroic people. This one was really well done about a difficult topic, the election of Mandela. I would suggest this to someone who has no idea about the history of the ANC, apartheid, or Mandela, but if you are interested you should definitely delve deeper into the story.
I enjoyed the minimalist style and colorations that were used for this book. With such an important story, using this simple style helps keep the attention on the story rather than the design of the art.
I really enjoy that people have been using graphic novels to tell history since a lot of these stories lend themselves well to the idea of action, adventure, and heroic people. This one was really well done about a difficult topic, the election of Mandela. I would suggest this to someone who has no idea about the history of the ANC, apartheid, or Mandela, but if you are interested you should definitely delve deeper into the story.
I enjoyed the minimalist style and colorations that were used for this book. With such an important story, using this simple style helps keep the attention on the story rather than the design of the art.
aquavenatus's review
5.0
Nelson Mandela was a man who inspired millions throughout the end of the 20th century. Even after his death in 2013, Nelson Mandela remains one of the most prominent figures of civil rights alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. However, outside of South Africa and the rest of Africa, not much is known about the anti-apartheid movement such as the formation of the African National Congress, or the ANC, and The National Party.
"Mandela and the General" is a recount of the events that led to democracy in South Africa with the 1994 Election of Nelson Mandela as the country's First President. John Carlin, the author, is the journalist who interviewed both Nelson Mandela and Retired General Constand Viljoen for accuracy of both sides of the events that occurred up until 1999. Events from Nelson Mandela's sentence and eventual release from prison, to General Viljoen's retirement from the military and his eventual involvement with South African politics, and to the assassinations and the street riots are included in this retelling of events. Mandela and General Viljoen were men who became leaders and acted like leaders for the better of all who resided in their country. Both men knew they would have to convince their supporters to do the same thing. Everything you'd expect from a divided country attempting democracy would be going through to get to their first election is recounted by both Mandela and the General, and told to John Carlin.
"Mandela and the General" provides an impressive view into the internal struggles of a country from the points-of-view of two men at opposite ends of the political parties. Readers who are interested in learning more about Nelson Mandela and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, as well as other civil rights leaders, should read this book. Readers who have read historical graphic novels such as the "March" trilogy and "Safe Area Gorazde" will appreciate the artistic depictions and illustrations of the events, done by Oriol Malet, as recalled by those who were there, including John Carlin. This book is a must read for readers of both history and graphic novels.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
"Mandela and the General" is a recount of the events that led to democracy in South Africa with the 1994 Election of Nelson Mandela as the country's First President. John Carlin, the author, is the journalist who interviewed both Nelson Mandela and Retired General Constand Viljoen for accuracy of both sides of the events that occurred up until 1999. Events from Nelson Mandela's sentence and eventual release from prison, to General Viljoen's retirement from the military and his eventual involvement with South African politics, and to the assassinations and the street riots are included in this retelling of events. Mandela and General Viljoen were men who became leaders and acted like leaders for the better of all who resided in their country. Both men knew they would have to convince their supporters to do the same thing. Everything you'd expect from a divided country attempting democracy would be going through to get to their first election is recounted by both Mandela and the General, and told to John Carlin.
"Mandela and the General" provides an impressive view into the internal struggles of a country from the points-of-view of two men at opposite ends of the political parties. Readers who are interested in learning more about Nelson Mandela and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, as well as other civil rights leaders, should read this book. Readers who have read historical graphic novels such as the "March" trilogy and "Safe Area Gorazde" will appreciate the artistic depictions and illustrations of the events, done by Oriol Malet, as recalled by those who were there, including John Carlin. This book is a must read for readers of both history and graphic novels.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”