Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
This was indeed a LONG walk. Since Mandela is not a writer by trade, many passages were exhausting and disorganized. Besides the difficulty, though, this was an excellent book. Mandela's voice was very honest, as he admitted to his mistakes during the struggle for freedom, and I was surprised to learn about his role in the violent "uprisings" that he claims helped to bring about the end of apartheid. While I believe that apartheid could have been ended through international pressure, economic sabotage, and strikes and protests, I can't say for sure because I wasn't there. Overall, this loooong book was very worth it and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in race issues or modern African history.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Absolutely riveting autobiography. From Mandela's ancient ancestors up to the point where South Africa has its first elections with universal suffrage. Lots of good lessons on organizing and politics. He writes in a straight-forward, somewhat formal style, but he writes well. I broke it up with 3 other books; I think that was better than a reading straight through. What a man!
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
medium-paced
This book has been sitting on the family bookshelf since it was published. I only got around to finishing it this year. The timing seemed apt as a farewell after Madiba's passing. Though by necessity, this book glossed over certain details and had propaganda moments, one of the autobiography's major purposes was to let us know that Mandela was no Saint, he was a human being who made mistakes, was sometimes swept along with events and had failings in his life.
This of course does not in any way detract from the man and his amazing capacity for action, activism, charisma and forgiveness, but in fact provides a stronger message about the human spirit (cliche I know, but true). Worthy and valuable book that brought me back to my childhood spent in Johannesburg. I learned more about myself reading this book as well. It is the type of story that makes you wonder if there's something more you could do in your life.
This of course does not in any way detract from the man and his amazing capacity for action, activism, charisma and forgiveness, but in fact provides a stronger message about the human spirit (cliche I know, but true). Worthy and valuable book that brought me back to my childhood spent in Johannesburg. I learned more about myself reading this book as well. It is the type of story that makes you wonder if there's something more you could do in your life.
This was a fantastic read. It was given to me as a Christmas gift, and well timed. Nelson Mandela passed away recently, and it occurred to me that I didn't know much about his story, beyond the events of the last 20 years, after he was released from close to 30 years in prison, a sentence that began when he was already 44 years old, with much life, and struggle behind him.
The writing is not particularly colourful, he's fairly succinct, and matter of fact, as he talks about his childhood, coming of age, his rebellion against his benefactor's wishes, becoming a practising lawyer and slowly but surely devoting more and more of his life to the struggle against apartheid. It's a warts and all story, and he doesn't shy away from illuminating the mistakes he made, the poor decisions, he's very humble in acknowledging his flaws, and it only serves to strengthen the impact of his many bold and selfless acts. His great spirit is unbreakable, and this is made more apparent as he his put through wringer of the apartheid 'justice' system.
There were many passages in the book that I would like to quote, but I didn't mark them and I can't find them so quickly now. There's a beautiful remark on the last page that brought a tear to my eye:
"When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning."
Nelson Mandela was not the most peaceful of men. He was involved in a fight against oppression, and one does not win a fight against a tyrannical regime with just a gentle soul and an intelligent argument. But he had both of those things, and that he held on to them throughout, that he managed to finish the race without relinquishing them to cynicism and hatred, it warms my heart. What a beautiful person he was, a true inspiration.
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela, you surely earned it. <3
The writing is not particularly colourful, he's fairly succinct, and matter of fact, as he talks about his childhood, coming of age, his rebellion against his benefactor's wishes, becoming a practising lawyer and slowly but surely devoting more and more of his life to the struggle against apartheid. It's a warts and all story, and he doesn't shy away from illuminating the mistakes he made, the poor decisions, he's very humble in acknowledging his flaws, and it only serves to strengthen the impact of his many bold and selfless acts. His great spirit is unbreakable, and this is made more apparent as he his put through wringer of the apartheid 'justice' system.
There were many passages in the book that I would like to quote, but I didn't mark them and I can't find them so quickly now. There's a beautiful remark on the last page that brought a tear to my eye:
"When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning."
Nelson Mandela was not the most peaceful of men. He was involved in a fight against oppression, and one does not win a fight against a tyrannical regime with just a gentle soul and an intelligent argument. But he had both of those things, and that he held on to them throughout, that he managed to finish the race without relinquishing them to cynicism and hatred, it warms my heart. What a beautiful person he was, a true inspiration.
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela, you surely earned it. <3
La vida de Nelson Mandela es un relato fascinante de un luchador de la libertad. Un hombre admirable por su inteligencia, tenacidad, principios e ideales arraigados.
Sus momentos más interesantes los vivió en la cárcel. Ni la peor de las adversidades puso minar su desee de lucha por un país libre, justo y democrático.
Es un libro muy político, quizás sea difícil de leer, pero vale la pena.
Sus momentos más interesantes los vivió en la cárcel. Ni la peor de las adversidades puso minar su desee de lucha por un país libre, justo y democrático.
Es un libro muy político, quizás sea difícil de leer, pero vale la pena.