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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A freedom fighter learns the hard way that it is the oppressor who defines the nature of the struggle,and the oppressed is often left no recourse but to use methods that mirror those of the oppressor.At a point, one can only fight fire with fire
- Nelson Mandela , Long Walk to Freedom
.
.
It doesn’t get better especially when you know Apartheid only ended somewhat 30 years ago and the impact of this racist law is still
visible till date. Every single law enacted by South African Government during Apartheid is to further encroach the rights of black/colored/indians of South African. How do you undo 300 years of Injustice and white oppression in the country? It’s the same story of colonisation. Afrikaners settler came to South Africa, overstayed their welcome and eventually taking over the whole country. The white minority owned almost 87% of land leaving ONLY 13% of land ownership to the 8 millions of black/colored/indians of South African didn’t surprise me at all. After all back then the government will do whatever they can to push the Majority to the brink of poverty, to give them a limited education, to always reminded them of their place that they are subservient to white minority in South Africa. The fact that there are few parts of South Africa is still so segregated until now due to inequality manifested from the long term of subjugation. The wide gap between rich which is mostly consist of white South Africans and Poor which is belonged to black/colored/indians is crystal clear. Throughout the book, we see the efforts of the government to defeat every attempt made by Nelson Mandela and ANC to end the apartheid. New laws is being added to divide and disengage marginalised community from being united to demand for equality and freedom.
.
.
I have nothing to say on ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ book except read it. It has such a humble beginning - A boy who’s lost a father in such a young age, being taken in by the regent household and raised properly so that he could fulfils the tribe role, he was educated accordingly until the regent wanted him to be married and already choose a bride for him. He defied the order and escaped to the city and aspire to become a lawyer. It didn’t get better because being a lawyer during segregation and apartheid only further demonstrate that most of the time, the law was not on their side / color / people. Then he enter into politics, started to amplify the equality and freedom messages in his movement. His speech resonated to those who have had enough with this oppression and wanted a change. Of course, the government will not stand still. This is perceived as a threat to the current ruling hence imposing a travel bans to him for quite a numbers to restrict him from reaching to masses. He was not defeated by that. His spirit remains enkindled and the fight must go on. Even being held in a Robben Island’s Prison for nearly 3 decades and subjected to day to day humiliation and abuse , his perseverance is truly admirable.
.
.
The writing is straightforward and easy to read. You will feel like the whole story is narrated in front of you by Nelson Mandela Himself. Granted there are many names mentioned here and there, you couldn’t possibly remember them all especially for such a thick book. My edition has 656 pages. However, the lessons and values to be learned is there. Just like us, Nelson Mandela went through learn, unlearn and re-learn phase the whole time. From white worshipping attitude , the suspicion towards communist and Indians true motives, the clashes of those who wanted to do it in a peaceful manner and those who see that violence is a solution - all of it is covered throughout the book. When i recalled back the movie, i feel like a huge chunk of the book has been tossed out. I am glad i read this book now.
- Nelson Mandela , Long Walk to Freedom
.
.
It doesn’t get better especially when you know Apartheid only ended somewhat 30 years ago and the impact of this racist law is still
visible till date. Every single law enacted by South African Government during Apartheid is to further encroach the rights of black/colored/indians of South African. How do you undo 300 years of Injustice and white oppression in the country? It’s the same story of colonisation. Afrikaners settler came to South Africa, overstayed their welcome and eventually taking over the whole country. The white minority owned almost 87% of land leaving ONLY 13% of land ownership to the 8 millions of black/colored/indians of South African didn’t surprise me at all. After all back then the government will do whatever they can to push the Majority to the brink of poverty, to give them a limited education, to always reminded them of their place that they are subservient to white minority in South Africa. The fact that there are few parts of South Africa is still so segregated until now due to inequality manifested from the long term of subjugation. The wide gap between rich which is mostly consist of white South Africans and Poor which is belonged to black/colored/indians is crystal clear. Throughout the book, we see the efforts of the government to defeat every attempt made by Nelson Mandela and ANC to end the apartheid. New laws is being added to divide and disengage marginalised community from being united to demand for equality and freedom.
.
.
I have nothing to say on ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ book except read it. It has such a humble beginning - A boy who’s lost a father in such a young age, being taken in by the regent household and raised properly so that he could fulfils the tribe role, he was educated accordingly until the regent wanted him to be married and already choose a bride for him. He defied the order and escaped to the city and aspire to become a lawyer. It didn’t get better because being a lawyer during segregation and apartheid only further demonstrate that most of the time, the law was not on their side / color / people. Then he enter into politics, started to amplify the equality and freedom messages in his movement. His speech resonated to those who have had enough with this oppression and wanted a change. Of course, the government will not stand still. This is perceived as a threat to the current ruling hence imposing a travel bans to him for quite a numbers to restrict him from reaching to masses. He was not defeated by that. His spirit remains enkindled and the fight must go on. Even being held in a Robben Island’s Prison for nearly 3 decades and subjected to day to day humiliation and abuse , his perseverance is truly admirable.
.
.
The writing is straightforward and easy to read. You will feel like the whole story is narrated in front of you by Nelson Mandela Himself. Granted there are many names mentioned here and there, you couldn’t possibly remember them all especially for such a thick book. My edition has 656 pages. However, the lessons and values to be learned is there. Just like us, Nelson Mandela went through learn, unlearn and re-learn phase the whole time. From white worshipping attitude , the suspicion towards communist and Indians true motives, the clashes of those who wanted to do it in a peaceful manner and those who see that violence is a solution - all of it is covered throughout the book. When i recalled back the movie, i feel like a huge chunk of the book has been tossed out. I am glad i read this book now.
Fascinating and inspiring book. I've been interested in Nelson Mandela's life and this was so illuminating! I appreciated his wisdom on leadership, commitment, equality, justice, and family.
really long and a bit skeptical about how Nelson Mandela portrays himself. Still an enjoyable read (Mandela’s talk of oppression and racial tensions are interesting), but need a stronger purpose/more motivation.
It's always interesting to know more about the lives of the people who changed our world for the better and from their perspectives, nonetheless.
Visionaries always have to sacrifice their personal lives in order to fight for the greater good.
Nelson Mandela himself came to know this. He sacrificed the life he could have had with the people he loved and cared the most, simply because he had a higher calling.
At some point he said something along the lines of 'it is hard to hear your young child asking why you're never home and you having to answer that there are other children like them out there.'
That might have been one of the parts that made me more emotional. Just imagine not being able to be by your child's side, because you're trying to make the lives of other children better.
It really makes you think about the twisted ways of this world.
Anyway, a great read indeed, recommended to young and old alike.
Sometimes the politics might be a little too heavy on this autobiography, hence why I didn't give it 5 stars, but it is expected giving that this is about a prominent freedom fighter and politician.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
When I did end up purchasing this book to read as a part of a book club challenge I expected it to be a difficult read and I actually expected that it would take closer to a year to complete instead of the 10 days that it did take. It was a book that had the highest page count which I managed to complete thus far to be honest I did not hold much faith in myself being able to complete such a long book.
However, once I got over the first pages which detailed names and places that I didn't know and didn't quite really understand how read I found myself becoming not just more familiar with the author of the book but also with the surrounding that were around him. I must say by the end I found myself flying through the book, seeing as it was one of the more interesting ones I have read this year and definitely opened my eyes to struggles which I didn't see before as they were too far away quite before my time.
This book gave me a greater understanding not just of Nelson Mandela and the reason for his fame, but also of the nature of Africa and the struggle which the people of Africa had to face over centuries of mistreatment and prejudice. I read a book previously on the struggle, but this book gave me a more open overview on the topic, going from beginning to end and showing me what the other books I have read previously couple not and that was someone who saw the struggle not just from his own side but also from the side of the oppressor and showed an understanding of what mindset might effect the actions of those oppressors and how they deal with the oppressed. It showed me the change that occurred in people and how through some simple explanations and showing of resilience and compassion one can change the minds of those who wish to bring you down and spread hate.
In the world of 'positive thinking' and 'equality' I think that everyone should read this book, this book that shows you both sides of every story and honestly I can say that it changed my as a person and my view of the world around me. I know that I am going to put this book down but as a result of it I will be a better person in the future and for this I am eternally grateful and humbled by the experience and insight that this book gave me. I wish that it was one of those books that was set as a requirement to read in school, to allow kids to have a look at their own lives and perspectives and hopefully those who are prejudice would be more inclined to change.
However, once I got over the first pages which detailed names and places that I didn't know and didn't quite really understand how read I found myself becoming not just more familiar with the author of the book but also with the surrounding that were around him. I must say by the end I found myself flying through the book, seeing as it was one of the more interesting ones I have read this year and definitely opened my eyes to struggles which I didn't see before as they were too far away quite before my time.
This book gave me a greater understanding not just of Nelson Mandela and the reason for his fame, but also of the nature of Africa and the struggle which the people of Africa had to face over centuries of mistreatment and prejudice. I read a book previously on the struggle, but this book gave me a more open overview on the topic, going from beginning to end and showing me what the other books I have read previously couple not and that was someone who saw the struggle not just from his own side but also from the side of the oppressor and showed an understanding of what mindset might effect the actions of those oppressors and how they deal with the oppressed. It showed me the change that occurred in people and how through some simple explanations and showing of resilience and compassion one can change the minds of those who wish to bring you down and spread hate.
In the world of 'positive thinking' and 'equality' I think that everyone should read this book, this book that shows you both sides of every story and honestly I can say that it changed my as a person and my view of the world around me. I know that I am going to put this book down but as a result of it I will be a better person in the future and for this I am eternally grateful and humbled by the experience and insight that this book gave me. I wish that it was one of those books that was set as a requirement to read in school, to allow kids to have a look at their own lives and perspectives and hopefully those who are prejudice would be more inclined to change.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced