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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
This book is incredible. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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challenging
informative
inspiring
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I cannot believe it took me so long to get around to this. I actually listened to the audio book read by Danny Glover. There are so many times when I was on the verge of tears but more than anything, once the last audio clip had ended, I was filled with such immense hope and a desire to try harder and be better to be more inclusive and to learn to forgive. I was filled with a sense of having received such profound wisdom across the generations.
And at the same time, I was filled with such an overwhelming sense of loss. A loss of a man, of a generation, who gave up everything for the struggle and never doubted themselves. Who were so devoted to the cause that they risked it all. And knew that there was a better future. How do we recreate that? Where does the world go without that guidance?
And at the same time, I was filled with such an overwhelming sense of loss. A loss of a man, of a generation, who gave up everything for the struggle and never doubted themselves. Who were so devoted to the cause that they risked it all. And knew that there was a better future. How do we recreate that? Where does the world go without that guidance?
This fascinating account of the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, The Father of South-Africa begins with the memories of his childhood growing up in Cape Province among family and later at about nine years of age as he is entrusted to a foster father’s care after the death of his own father.
His pursuit of higher education and involvement with a student council that in some ways set the trajectory of his life.
In a chronological and objective narrative Mandela, whose Xhosa name -Rolihlahla means “troublemaker”, gives us a glimpse into his life as he went from accepting the “White superiority” norm as a way of life to realizing the extent of how deeply racism had infiltrated all of society and championing for equal rights for all South Africans regardless of color.
Despite having spent 27 years in jail Mandela refused to give up his demands for a free society or renounce the use of violence as a valid way of fighting apartheid. Yes, you read that right.
Mandela admits the moral goodness of non-violence and makes frequent references to Gandhi and the Indian community of South Africa while also being very clear on the fact that non-violence in such a situation is an ineffective weapon.
His journey from being a prisoner of the state to its leader is captivating to say the least and his clear, concise recollections, simple language, and basic humanity as he faced insurmountable odds make for an enlightening and unforgettable read.
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
“While I did not normally give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money.
In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman.
In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.”
“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”
His pursuit of higher education and involvement with a student council that in some ways set the trajectory of his life.
In a chronological and objective narrative Mandela, whose Xhosa name -Rolihlahla means “troublemaker”, gives us a glimpse into his life as he went from accepting the “White superiority” norm as a way of life to realizing the extent of how deeply racism had infiltrated all of society and championing for equal rights for all South Africans regardless of color.
Despite having spent 27 years in jail Mandela refused to give up his demands for a free society or renounce the use of violence as a valid way of fighting apartheid. Yes, you read that right.
Mandela admits the moral goodness of non-violence and makes frequent references to Gandhi and the Indian community of South Africa while also being very clear on the fact that non-violence in such a situation is an ineffective weapon.
His journey from being a prisoner of the state to its leader is captivating to say the least and his clear, concise recollections, simple language, and basic humanity as he faced insurmountable odds make for an enlightening and unforgettable read.
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
“While I did not normally give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money.
In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman.
In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.”
“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”
This made me think, a lot, about the white-washed messages we receive about peace-keeping. What was markedly different about the anti-apartheid fight I SA is that unarmed nonviolence didn't work in the pursuit of justice and equality for all people. Hearing Nelson's journey caused me to think deeper about the extent to which marginalized people perhaps need to go to pursue justice and equality. And I am here for it. This long read challenged my empathy and apathy, and educated me on a history in SA that I didn't receive much education about in school or homeschool. I am left with gratitude for fighters like Nelson Mandela, and challenged by their persistent bravery in the pursuit of justice for all.
11 years ago, I was lucky enough to travel to South Africa to visit my sister who was studying there at the time. While we were there, we visited Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner. It was an incredibly moving experience to learn more about this amazing man and to see the place where he was imprisoned and endured so much in his quest to end apartheid and create a democratic government in South Africa.
This memoir follows Mandela’s life from childhood through the swearing in ceremony where he took the oath of office as South Africa’s first democratically elected President. It is a fascinating and empowering read about an amazing and selfless man who changed the course of history.
This memoir follows Mandela’s life from childhood through the swearing in ceremony where he took the oath of office as South Africa’s first democratically elected President. It is a fascinating and empowering read about an amazing and selfless man who changed the course of history.
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced