Nelson mandela biography book review
•
Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom, Autobiography Book Review
Quotes from book.
I’m a fan of reading autobiographies I was recommended Mandela’s autobiography by two people I highly respect so I decided to read it. I read it twice, it’s a long book with a lot to say, obviously, looking at the man’s life.
I didn’t know much about Mandela apart from he was in prison for a long time, fought and dismantled apartheid and became president of south Africa. He was an icon of the 20th century. He’s one of the few truly good and inspired leaders of the 20th century.
The beginning
He was born on the 18th of July 1918 in a tiny village in the country. His father was a tribal chief. He had a large family of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and lived a meager life. He details tribal and clan life that was the historical make up of south Africa and Africans. Naming locations, importance of lineage, traditions and history of battles.
He went to scho
•
I read A Long Walk To Freedom as part of a college history class, but ended up keeping it and re-reading it a few years later.
Even in college, this book was on those “100 biographies that everyone should read” lists. But it was so long and the topic unfamiliar enough to me that I figured it would be one of those “100 biographies that everyone should read, but never actually does” books.
Turns out, the book is absolutely worthwhile. And while long, it is very well written for an autobiography. Nelson Mandela is one of those “but wait, there’s more” people in history. He’s absolutely worth learning more about.
What I Liked
I loved the details & scope. Mandela does not shy away from sharing intimate details and setting context. The context is especially helpful. I’m an American and was 9 when he became President of South Africa…and 5 when Apartheid ended. The background and context takes a while to set up, but it very
•
Books by Nelson Mandela and Complete Book Reviews
Conversations with Myself
Nelson Mandela, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, $28 (320p) ISBN 978-0-374-12895-1
The South African statesman and former political prisoner bares his mind and soul in this inspiring collection of writings and interviews. Culled from Mandela's letters, notebooks, taped conversations, prison diaries, calendars, and an unfinished...
READ FULL REVIEW
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, Author Little Brown and Company $24.45 (558p) ISBN 978-0-316-54585-3
This fluid memoir matches South African President Mandela's stately grace with wise reflection on his life and the freedom struggle that defined it. Mandela began this book in 1975, during his 27-year imprisonment. He has fleshed out a sweeping...
READ FULL REVIEW
Notes to the Future
Nelson Mandela. Simon & Schuster, $20 (208p) ISBN 978-1-4516-7539-9
South African human rights activist and politician Mand