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Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela (Paperback)
by Nelson Mandela
| Category:
Autobiography, South Africa, Fighting for freedom, Motivation |
| Market price: ¥ 198.00
MSL price:
¥ 178.00
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Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
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 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
The story of greatness: A suprisingly honest and unflinching look at the life of Nelson Mandela. |
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Author: Nelson Mandela
Publisher: Back Bay Books; 1st Paperback Ed edition
Pub. in: October, 1995
ISBN: 0316548189
Pages: 656
Measurements: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.8 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA00645
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0316548182
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- Awards & Credential -
The International Bestseller. One of the best references on the life of Mandela as a great human being. |
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- MSL Picks -
Great men and women of history seldom are able to tell their stories effectively and truthfully. Most often it is left to the historians to tell the stories behind the greatness, but in the case of Nelson Mandela, he is able to tell his unique story directly to the world without the filter of decades gone by. What we get is honest, raw, and unflinching, and occasionally dull in spots. Long Walk to Freedom provides the reader a glimpse into the man behind the legend.
The story of Mandela's early life is interesting but reads slowly, and we don't gain much insight into any dawning or awakening of consciousness as to his political and social views. Perhaps this is due to Mandela's having wrote this section while in captivity on Robben's Island. What we do get is the portrait of a well-to-do upper class Xhosa man, born into relative priviledge, who defies tradition and strikes out on his own as a lawyer.
Mandela's burdgeoning involvement in the African National Congress and its political activities provides us a glimpse of the outspoken Mandela we know now. Based on his memories, there was no one distinct moment where Mandela realized the course his life would take; It was an understanding that gradually emerged after numerous injustices at the hands of the Afrikaaner minority government and failed attempts at peaceful solutions. Mandela's story, like any life, is one of excitement and boredom, of days filled with events and months that pass by without a whisper. This book covers almost 70 years of Mandela's personal history, and does so in a manner that never loses the reader.
Mandela makes no bones about his decisions for armed rebellion. He is clear about things he regrets, about poor decisions he made, and offers no excuses; Mandela is his own harshest critic at times. Mandela takes comfort in the knowledge that his decisions and his leadership helped destroy apartheid and give the African and Indian populace in South Africa an equal chance. Mandela shows that 27 years in prison can't silence the spirit of someone who is certain of the righteousness of their actions. Man can oppress, but those that refuse to accept injustice can never be chained down for ever. This is a great book by a great man.
(From quoting A. G. Corwin, USA)
Target readers:
Readers interested in the life of Nelson Mandela, South Africa, and human pursuit of freedom and happiness.
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Nelson Mandela's greatest pleasure, his most private moment, is watching the sun set with the music of Handel or Tchaikovsky playing.
Locked up in his cell during daylight hours, deprived of music, both these simple pleasures were denied him for decades. With his fellow prisoners, concerts were organised when possible, particularly at Christmas time, where they would sing. Nelson Mandela finds music very uplifting, and takes a keen interest not only in European classical music but also in African choral music and the many talents in South African music. But one voice stands out above all - that of Paul Robeson, whom he describes as our hero.
The years in jail reinforced habits that were already entrenched: the disciplined eating regime of an athlete began in the 1940s, as did the early morning exercise. Still today Nelson Mandela is up by 4.30am, irrespective of how late he has worked the previous evening. By 5am he has begun his exercise routine that lasts at least an hour. Breakfast is by 6.30, when the days newspapers are read. The day s work has begun.
With a standard working day of at least 12 hours, time management is critical and Nelson Mandela is extremely impatient with unpunctuality, regarding it as insulting to those you are dealing with.
When speaking of the extensive travelling he has undertaken since his release from prison, Nelson Mandela says: I was helped when preparing for my release by the biography of Pandit Nehru, who wrote of what happens when you leave jail. My daughter Zinzi says that she grew up without a father, who, when he returned, became a father of the nation. This has placed a great responsibility of my shoulders. And wherever I travel, I immediately begin to miss the familiar - the mine dumps, the colour and smell that is uniquely South African, and, above all, the people. I do not like to be away for any length of time. For me, there is no place like home.
Mandela accepted the Nobel Peace Prize as an accolade to all people who have worked for peace and stood against racism. It was as much an award to his person as it was to the ANC and all South Africa s people. In particular, he regards it as a tribute to the people of Norway who stood against apartheid while many in the world were silent.
We know it was Norway that provided resources for farming; thereby enabling us to grow food; resources for education and vocational training and the provision of accommodation over the years in exile. The reward for all this sacrifice will be the attainment of freedom and democracy in South Africa, in an open society which respects the rights of all individuals. That goal is now in sight, and we have to thank the people and governments of Norway and Sweden for the tremendous role they played.
(MSL quote)
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From Library Journal
This is an articulate, moving account of Mandela's life from his "country childhood" following his birth on July 18, 1918 to his inauguration as president of South Africa on May 10, 1994. Mandela traces the growth of his understanding of the oppression of the blacks of South Africa; his conviction that there was no alternative to armed struggle; his developing belief that all people, black and white, must be free for true freedom; and the effect that his commitment to overthrowing apartheid had on his family, who "paid a terrible price." Over a third of Mandela's memoir tells of his 27 years in prison, an account that could stand alone as a prison narrative. He ends his book with the conclusion that his "long walk" for freedom has just begun: "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." Highly recommended for all collections.
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| View all 10 comments |
Jean Pouliot (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-21 00:00>
The sheer bulk and length of Nelson Mandela's magnum opus seemed daunting, and I left it on the shelf for a long time. But once I started, the author's enthusiam and optimism - in the face of some of the most virulent and entrenched racism and oppression faced by human beings - made it a delight to read.
Mandela takes us from his childgood in the Transkei region of South Africa, through his school years, his coming of age as a lawyer and politician, through his treason trials and imprisonment on Robben Island and final vindicatory release. Along the way, he provides fascinating and often funny vignettes of his perceptions, his maturation and even his mistakes. Mandela is not out to write hagiography here, but subtly and honestly describes his struggles and failures as a man, and those of the ANC (African National Congress), with which he was associated for many years. He even writes about his own struggles (personal and pragmatic) with treating people differently based on skin pigmentation. Mandela's deep desire to maintin his dignity in the face of apartheid's ludicrous tyranny are memorable and uplifting. Those who see him as a terrorist need only ponder his decades of working within the system, attempting to follow the non-violent lead of Mohandas Ghanhi - only to be subject to repeated attempts by the government - via bannings, silencings and forced relocations - to disempower him and his people. Reading the book will make the reader appreciate that using violence was a measure of last resort against a conscienceless foe.
Long Walk to Freedom is a must-read to those who wish to know Nelson Mandela better, who love South Africa or who simply cherish freedom and the dignity of all human beings.
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Elijah Chingosho (MSL quote), Kenya
<2007-01-21 00:00>
After reading this book, I was absolutely thrilled. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is this remarkable person that you kind of feel a personal relationship to as you go through this great piece of work. Mandela represents the struggle of the oppressed South Africans to regain their pride and freedom and it is fantastic that Mandela has lived his ideals, a unique achievement by a mere mortal.
Going through the book reveals that you are reading about someone who is not trying to exalt himself but someone who is really human and makes mistakes, is man enough to admit to them and goes to show that even after spending a generation in prison, he neither lost his humanity nor was brutalised by the nasty experience.
Mandela was the first president of a truly democratic South Africa but as soon as he was President, be broke with traditional African leaders practice and started grooming a successor. After only one term in office, he voluntarily gave up power, a rarity on the continent.
Mandela is a man of disarming simplicity, very honest and has done Africa proud. I sometimes day dream of what the African continent would be like if most countries were blessed with half a Mandela leader each (it would be asking too much to ask for a full Mandela.
This is an inspirational book to the whole of humanity that is well written that I strongly recommend to everyone. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-21 00:00>
Wow, what an inspiring book. It was recommended to me by a South African, whose ethnic background is Caucasian, that to learn about South Africa's recent history and culture, one should read this book.
This book is truly amazing and very, very informative. The civil rights struggle for equality and equal treatment is vividly depicted. The decades spent to peacefully open the government policies so that the citizens of the country can equally share the benefits and contribute to the improvement of their society is remarkable.
One important point is that many individuals did not share their government's oppressive policies and many, regardless of ethnic background, supported Mr. Mandela. His ability to unite a divided country is truly inspiring.
If one wants to learn how difficult it is to live as a second class citizen, with very restrictive policies in a police state, this book is it. We in the US are very fortunate to have many freedoms and opportunities that we often take for granted. After reading this book, I am very thankful that we are a united country where we promote based on a person's ability to perform, not their ethnic or religious background.
Reading Colin Powell's autobiography My American Journey one also gets a good view on how we in the US can achieve based on our own accomplishments once given a open, honest, and fair opportunity to perform our job. |
Ashley Person (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-22 00:00>
Long Walk to Freedom is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders of South Africa. It gives a detailed account of his childhood, youth, and adulthood. It takes you through his years in college and his work as a lawyer as well as all of his political struggles with apartheid including his years in jail.
The book is extremely well written and gives the detail that only someone who witnessed the events could posses. Mandela's hindsight as he reviews the events of his life shows a more personal side to him. I liked the book but anyone who is considering reading it should be reminded that it is an autobiography so it does have a bias. He wrote the book as someone who had been wronged. Long Walk To Freedom provides an interesting and detailed account of the South Africans struggle with apartheid. It details Nelson's joining of the ANC (African National Congress) his rise in the ANC, and his creation of the MK. It also gives facts about his personal life and the life of his family. It is recommended to anyone who enjoys autobiographies or to anyone who is looking to learn more about the history of apartheid and South Africa.
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