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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
I was over at Nathaniel's house and said the one thing I've changed my mind on recently was political passivism as an absolute. Like, it's never okay to be violent to achieve political ends. Nathaniel almost immediately got up and returned with a copy of Nelson Mandela's biography. I didn't know much about South Africa, partially because everyone I know whose gone their comes back as an "expert" and wants to talk about all they've learned indirectly, like it's deeply ingrained knowledge that spills out because it has so many applications to their present-day life and they're just so *worldly*. So yeah I didn't know anything but if it was from a book I was willing to learn.
And yeah it's a good book. Mandela writes like a politician, but well, although it did make crave a biography — an outsider's perspective, someone who could criticize his decisions and his moral failures (I had to Google about his infidelity). Every action he took was carefully reasoned and, since we got his reasoning for each move, every step seemed artfully calculated. Who knows if that was just Mandela going back to set the record straight, you know?
Nathaniel's intent for me with this book, to see a famous world leader who eschewed peace in the name of achieving political change, worked. I'm certainly on board with the idea that violence is justified in certain contexts. Opposition must be expected, but an outside observer can't fault the freedom fighter. Also, it taught me violence isn't a commodity, and has gray areas. Attacking government facilities is a step below attacking government officials. By stating a clear set of targets, Mandela and the rest of the ANC were able to execute a campaign of controlled violence. That's impressive.
Anyway. Good book, especially for an autobiography. (I'd recommend skipping the childhood and youth sections of the book, though, you can jump right to when he's a lawyer. Damn histories and their reliance on chronological structures.)
And yeah it's a good book. Mandela writes like a politician, but well, although it did make crave a biography — an outsider's perspective, someone who could criticize his decisions and his moral failures (I had to Google about his infidelity). Every action he took was carefully reasoned and, since we got his reasoning for each move, every step seemed artfully calculated. Who knows if that was just Mandela going back to set the record straight, you know?
Nathaniel's intent for me with this book, to see a famous world leader who eschewed peace in the name of achieving political change, worked. I'm certainly on board with the idea that violence is justified in certain contexts. Opposition must be expected, but an outside observer can't fault the freedom fighter. Also, it taught me violence isn't a commodity, and has gray areas. Attacking government facilities is a step below attacking government officials. By stating a clear set of targets, Mandela and the rest of the ANC were able to execute a campaign of controlled violence. That's impressive.
Anyway. Good book, especially for an autobiography. (I'd recommend skipping the childhood and youth sections of the book, though, you can jump right to when he's a lawyer. Damn histories and their reliance on chronological structures.)
Great read.
It doesn't only have political lessons, but also have many life lessons.
It doesn't only have political lessons, but also have many life lessons.
I have had this book on my shelves for years and always been daunted by it. I have been slowly reading it over the last few months and it's incredibly interesting and educational.
It covers Nelson Mandela’s life from childhood to becoming president of South Africa. It also explains clear the history of South Africa and the various local tribes. It gave me a much better understand of the situation at the time and was accessible and easy to understand. Mandela’s high ideals and his fight for freedom comes through loud and clear in this. The book is clearly about the fight for civil rights.
The book is well written, however a little dry at times and written with little emotion. However it is an excellent memoir of an incredible man. Its 100% worth a read and I really enjoyed finding out more.
It covers Nelson Mandela’s life from childhood to becoming president of South Africa. It also explains clear the history of South Africa and the various local tribes. It gave me a much better understand of the situation at the time and was accessible and easy to understand. Mandela’s high ideals and his fight for freedom comes through loud and clear in this. The book is clearly about the fight for civil rights.
The book is well written, however a little dry at times and written with little emotion. However it is an excellent memoir of an incredible man. Its 100% worth a read and I really enjoyed finding out more.
I went on many long walks while listening to this story, and there was always a lot to mull over in my mind. This isn't just an autobiography of Mandela, but a history of the fight for freedom in South Africa and a story of the depths of human resilience, compassion, and courage. One thing that really struck me was Mandela's acknowledgement and deep conviction that his commitment to "the struggle" as he called it cost him his family and personal life and that he didn't really see how a person could truly be committed to both.
A long and difficult read but well-written and compelling and touching and educational. The evils of apartheid were more pernicious and brutal than I understood. And the complicity of the "free" world for so long was not an aspect of history that I remembered. The concept of 'banning' a person is mind-boggling and heart-breaking. Mandela is forthright about his character flaws, (he stole his fister father's cattle when he ran away to Johannesburg), and his mistakes and the problems inside the ANC. So much more to say about this book, but it can't be put into words. It was difficult to read this book with discussions of racism at uts worst, particularly with the rise of hate in today's world and the violence against religious minorities that keep happening.
informative
slow-paced
It was very interesting, but also almost entirely factual. I wish there had been more philosophy, more self-reflection, and more commentary on personal growth/things learned.
Nelson Mandela is the real life version of Sisyphus.
Despite not knowing Nelson Mandela in person, through his autobiography I could feel how stubborn and how determined he was toward his cause as a freedom fighter.
I can't believe I actually finished this. I took me a while, and I'm glad I took my time ... soaking it up bit by bit. There were parts- especially in relation to his family life- that really got me. His autobiography really emphasises all aspects of Mandela's life and it's incredibly eye-opening.
As someone who hasn't read many books based in South Africa; this was incredibly eyeopening to my understanding of history, and equality and more. Reading about the struggle in South Africa, and the logical steps Nelson Mandela and the ANC took was fascinating as it highlighted that he tried everything before deciding to use military action. Even then, Mandela broke it down taking as few steps as necessary, because he knew violence could not be the final answer.
I loved this! I highly recommend it! Especially in today's climate, its commentary on equality and more is incredibly insightful and helpful, because there will always be something more to fight for in this world.
Despite not knowing Nelson Mandela in person, through his autobiography I could feel how stubborn and how determined he was toward his cause as a freedom fighter.
I can't believe I actually finished this. I took me a while, and I'm glad I took my time ... soaking it up bit by bit. There were parts- especially in relation to his family life- that really got me. His autobiography really emphasises all aspects of Mandela's life and it's incredibly eye-opening.
As someone who hasn't read many books based in South Africa; this was incredibly eyeopening to my understanding of history, and equality and more. Reading about the struggle in South Africa, and the logical steps Nelson Mandela and the ANC took was fascinating as it highlighted that he tried everything before deciding to use military action. Even then, Mandela broke it down taking as few steps as necessary, because he knew violence could not be the final answer.
I loved this! I highly recommend it! Especially in today's climate, its commentary on equality and more is incredibly insightful and helpful, because there will always be something more to fight for in this world.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced