1962-1994 (v. 2) by Nelson Mandela (2003-01-02) - Long Walk to Freedom

After thinking you know a person because of their celebrity,reading this was a eye opening.To read some of the actual things that made Mr.Mandela who he was raised my level of respect for his sacrifice.To see that above all he was still human and not deity(lol)was good.Media can deify people,yet reading this made me appreciate "the long walk".

The writing is very concise and easy to follow. There are a lot of facts and names but it only adds to the reading and does not hinder the progress. This is really a story about love and hardship to win a goal that all should be able to enjoy. It is enlightening and terrifying at the same time.

I recently finished a leadership training course sponsored by my company. One of the activities that we did in the class was to reflect on great world leaders and think about what qualities made them great. It came up during the session that some years ago the teachers had led a similar exercise, but had actually asked the participants to try to communicate with a living leader who had personally affected them. The idea had been for people to get in touch with a former manager or teacher. However, it happened that one of the participants (not having a manager who he or she had admired) contacted Nelson Mandela by email. To everyone's surprise, he responded quite kindly and shared some thoughts about leaders and leadership.

When I was traveling in South Africa, I heard many similar stories. Tour groups who told about Mandela coming out of the parliament building to greet and talk to the tourists. Employees at Robben Island talked reverently about how he had taken personal interest in their lives based on the briefest of acquaintenceships. Every story emphasized his humbleness, his respect for others, and his basic approachability.

Long Walk to Freedom, for me, confirms that image of Mandela as a man who is great in part because of his humbleness, and his resistance to myth. He emphasizes his role as the man in the middle, pushed by circumstances and common decency into greatness. He consistently avoids overdone bragging (the little that is there is surely allowed him) and looks hard at the actions that the ANC took in their quest for freedom.

While it would have been interesting to read this before going to South Africa, I actually think that I got more out of it now after seeing the country first.

I really enjoyed the book. It is not a perfect narrative. It suffers in parts from being written over a period of years. There are some little repetitions and awkwardnesses along the way. None of those things matter at all in relation to either the reading experience or the importance of the book. I liked it very much, and would recommend it highly to others. Do not be daunted by its size (625 pages, in my edition). It is actually a very quick read and kept me intensely interested the whole time. Genuinely inspirational.

Although the cover is slightly different than what was advertised on the store website, I am very pleased with this book. It's "used" but looks brand new. There's nothing like the feel of handling a real book vs on a website...I love "real" books. Thank you.

The book gave me how much more extensive understanding of the South African history of Oppression by the Dutch and the solutions proposed by the ANC and Mandela much more than a autobiography more like a comprehensive history of Oppression and freedom

An honest, humble biography.
One gets a true sense of why this man was such a powerful leader as you read this book. He doesn't put on airs, and he doesn't hide his mistakes. He's very clear about his humanity, his foibles, and his humble beginnings.

Just finished reading this excellent book. In Indian minds African anti-apartheid struggle has a special place, because it was in South Africa that Mahatma Gandhi first experienced the injustice of colonialism and took his first steps towards fighting against it. As an Indian, we were always taught that this was an important incident in both South African and Indian history. From reading this book, apparently not so for South Africa. It may have been a transformational moment for Mahatma Gandhi, but not for African National Conference. In fact, at least Mr. Mandela was slightly anti-Indian in his early attitudes, fearing that they would usurp the blacks in the African freedom struggle.

Something else that I liked about the book was the detailed descriptions of how the non-white Africans were repressed in day to day lives. The book gives great insight into how an organization like ANC works, the nitti-gritty of the day to day management and organization of protests and rallies. This was a contrast from the Indian independence books and histories. Looking back, I do not really know exactly how the British repressed Indians. We all know of the few big highlights, like Jalllianwala Bagh massacre, but not so much about day to day lives of Indians under British rule. Also missing is the organizational details of Congress. We all know how Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, but we have no idea, how the message was conveyed to all the people all over India about the movement in absence of 24 hour news channels.

Long Walk To Freedom is rich in all these details, the shocking and unbelievable attitude of Afrikaners (the white ruling class of South Africa) towards blacks and repression, till so late in 20th century when it seemed all the rest of the world had left these things so far behind. Given all this, its even more amazing that Mr. Mandela espoused reconciliation with the former oppressors, and was even successful at it.

The book is also very personal, and traces the personal growth of Mr Mandela from a fiery youth who cared more about who got credit for a campaign rather than the results, to the great selfless statesman that the world knows now. From the person who started the military arm of' ANC and was its first commander in chief, to the noble peace prize winning first president on South Africa responsible for the only country in Africa to peacefully integrate former colonist into the new black dominated order.

Overall a very educational book.

My 12-year old grandson requested this book for Christmas. However, since Mr. Mandela's death, this book was sold out in many stores (including the store). However I ordered it and was put on the wait list. I was very happy I received this book before Christmas. He was very happy and looked forward to reading it.

The journey was exciting and it showed how to create peace and salvage your spirit.
He taught you how to remain a feeling human being instead of an animal.

Love it! Blueprint for life inside jail and out in the world.

Apartheid was one of the evils than man placed on another man in recent history. Mandela's account of the history of South Africa, the roots and witness of the ANC, and the historic events that led to a free South Africa is a piece of history every student of the world should be aware of. History could easily repeat itself; let us not forget. And let us tell our children and their children's children.

This book is my reference for Nelson Mandela's life story. After his death I realized that I only knew what the media had provided. Nelson Mandela story offers more than just history....it can be used as a life lesson.

A truly inspirational and informative read. It is very easy to read and enjoy, and makes you wish some of our leaders could develop the same style of negotiating with respect and dignity, rather than always from a confrontational stance.

a must read! The historical picture of Africa is articulated excellently. A must read if you want to understand the dynamics and politics of todays Africa. Not a light read of course but still kept me engaged from beginning o end.

I wish I read this before visited South Africa. The book not only gives insight into the man (Mandela) but also helps the reader develop an understanding of the struggles of a country. It flows and is constantly engaging! I highly recommend for both enjoyable reading and important learning.

Long Walk to Freedom will reassure the reader that integrity and determination can achieve the greatest goals.
Every verse and every line in the book contains words of wisdom from the very man that personifies sacrifice for a greater good.
Needless to say there are a couple of chapters in the book that came become boring and endless, but at the end you understand why the writer goes to every detail; it is the only way to reinforce the idea in the reader, that no matter how bad everything could be, the human spirit and character will always prevail against all odds.
JCC

Mr. Mandela stays with facts and never embellishes for a more flattering self-image. In addition to the historical significance of the world story, he presents a tremendous study of humanity and the many perspectives that must be satisfied.

Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom,” is an autobiographic record of his life and struggle to abolish apartheid which segregates the black South African from their own land by limiting the types of jobs they can have, the absences of universal suffrage, education, and land evictions and relocations. His struggle recount’s what it was like to live in a regime dictated by apartheid. His struggle catches the international attention of the world and would spur the world into action while “Mandela and others” were on trial. The U.S., cold war Russia, Britain, and a number of nations were calling on the Dutch Nationalist government to do right by Mandela and the other political prisoners on trial; instead of receiving death, they were given life sentences.

Reading Mandela’s story leads one to the maxim, “it is easier to die for what one believes then it is to live for it.” Mandela has been offered freedom on many occasions by the Nationalist government by which Mandela rightfully contends, “Prisoners cannot enter into contracts,” even if he took the deal, he would be back in prison unless the government abolishes apartheid and removes the ban on political institutions. Though Mandela was willing to die for his beliefs, he was also willing to live for them though the cost was great. His struggle will deprive him of a life of loving memories, the embrace of his wife and children, watching one’s children grow, marry, and have children of their own. “Long Walk to Freedom” captures Mandela’s legacy, and posterity will tell, if he will be a Patriarch of Liberty for all time.

Although I have not quite finished reading the book, I would thoroughly recommend it, not only to South Africans or those living in RSA, but to anyone across the world. Nelson Mandela was truly a freedom fighter right to the day he was freed. To have given up most of his life and contact with his family for so many years and then to still remain committed to the ANC and the Freedom Charter for the good of the people is mind-blowing, he is a legend. Well worth the read.

Nelson Madela was always one of my heroes and this book proves I was right. In life time you are lucky if there is one true hero who changes the world or his part of the world. This man did all of that at great sacrifice to himself and his family. He the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa are humans that we should try to emulate.

This was a very impressive book. This is my first attempt to understand anything about Nelson Mandela so it's hard to retain as many facts as I would like to. Mandela also goes out of his way to mention the many people and organizations who deserve a lot of the credit for the outcome of the struggle. It poses some challenges for the average reader like myself but I finished the book feeling much more confident in the basic idea and events that took place. I feel like I could speak more intelligent about Nelson Mandela and above all appreciate him and the many people who sacrificed so much for humanity.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. Mandela is someone everyone should read about but be prepared as this is a looooong book, and heck yeah does it come together. Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary fellow--and though his autobiography sometimes (to me) gets bogged down in details about the myriad organizations and splinter organizations and groups and people that he's involved with, I can see why he mentions it all. I got a little tired of the phrase "the life of a freedom fighter," which he says many, many times over the course of 700ish pages, but ultimately that's forgivable. Because he IS a freedom fighter, and his fight is so inspiring.

Reading this book made me question what the heck it is that I'm doing in MY life. All my concerns seem so petty and selfish compared with his.

I'm really glad I finally read this. Super inspiring

Simply outstanding. The part after prison was most interesting and was news to me. This period shows his true genius, how he lived when he had options and enticements. Ever faithful to his goal, he was remarkable, a gift to the world.

For Mandela to go through the most dehumanizing and outrageous treatment handed down to him in his own country and,upon his release,show such abundant capacity to let go of the past,is a characteristic that his rare in today's leaders of the world.No wonder he was adored by the world at large.His legacy would endure forever and stand the test of time.

Nelson Mandela is a man who transcends time. His story is one of great struggle and ultimate success. He is a man who not only helped transform South Africa, but his influence helped people in other African countries make their lives better too.

A story of righting wrongs, not just of one man (albeit a biography) but of many. Mandela's story represents many voices in the fight against opression. Beautifully written - tense, taught, written with clarity - a must read for those of us who many be off track with our truth. This will put you back on it, for sure.

The only negative issue around downloading the ebook - the photographs (within the hard copy) are not not part of the e book, which is a shame and I'm not sure why that is the case, given the costs for the hard copy and ebook are the same.

I actually purchased this book before Mandela died and regret I hadn't read it before. I've always admired Mandela and this book gives you the backstory of what was going on in South Africa during his lifetime.

Nelson Manela has portrayed what is true "freedom" in this book. I cant imagine a person who's closed up for more than a quarter a century, gets out still has such passion and zeal to do so much. His humanity is overwhelming. The world has so much to learn from this living legend. I am amazed at how Mandela prompted the Truth and Reconciliation comission and created a national healing process.
I wish the 'developed' nations can learn from him.

I had meant to read Mr. Mandela's autobiography for years, but life gets in the way and so life went until he passed on. At that point, I downloaded and started reading immediately. What has always inspired me about Mr. Mandela's story is how when he was in prison, he was able to make the decision to choose his jail, thus allowing him to be free and all of his jailers to be imprisoned by him. In this book though, I learned so much more about Mandela than his imprisonment and ultimate triumph as leader of South Africa. We also get a true window into Mandela as a child, young man, and adult. This is a human story, told with vivid honesty, and it's words linger long after you've turned off your e-reader. In short, you should read this book. Of course you should!

I also had no issues with this version being abridged, probably because you can only read so much on your iphone anyway. But with that said, when I get the print version, I'll look up the unabridged version.

The personal story of a great human being; a person that went through pure hell, and for what? I don't know anyone that would have spent 1/2 his adult life in prison, and have the loving soul of Mr. M!

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of...
Nelson Mandela
So clearly written, I hear his distinctive voice and accent reading the words. Very, very moving and revealing. I learned so much about South Africa during aparthied and Mandella himself and his driving motivation, despite all the suffering, humiliation, and sadness.

Every South African high school should make this book a prescribed text book. Mandela's knack for suspending judgment of the oppressors and to call the oppressed to take responsibility for their part in a messy but humane transformation of a wounded country is a phenomenon. This book is worth every page. A great story of the 20th century World History.

This Biography is an example for everybody in today global conflicts. The Man can uvercome a life of injustices, jail and several other offenses; and continue fighting for LIBERTY. Is also a personal example of spiritual superation, this we all cand do.
Excelent book