Customer Reviews

Long Walk to Freedom

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not only a great historical fount of information, but a surprising look at Mandela the human being. Couple this with the fact that it is such a page turner that it is agonizing to walk away from and you've got the best book I've read in years.

one of the 5 best books i've read. nelson mandela may be the most courageous leader of my lifetime. like MLK, he showed great courage and inspired millions. like ghandi, he changed his country and the course of history. i thought i knew the story of aparthied but i knew very little. pls read this book.

This book was so very inspiring.

It details the hardships Mandela endured and sacrifices he made to end the apartheid in South Africa. I was amazed at the oppression that actually existed for black Africans during this time. And the unbelievable sacrifices Mandela made in order to better the future for his people.

Until you read a first hand account of these national tragedies you can only imagine how hard things were during those times. And it's often harder than you imagined.

The book begins at the time he was born and his early life gives you a glimpse into tribal customs and beliefs. Just this information alone makes it an excellent read. The personal and public sacrifices Mandela made in the name of freedom from racial oppression, and the toll it took on him, are amazing. A definite must read for anyone that enjoys good autobiographies!

I was born and raised in South Africa and lived through the apartheid era in a household that did not voice negative views about our Black people so I was not exposed to its nasty side. I am ashamed that I did not see the other guy's misfortune and I can't think of a better person than Nelson Mandela to have brought this home to me. The book is a wonderful tribute to how one can be above the bad things of life and how he rose above the oppressive governments we had there who held the system in place with severe punishment for anyone who dared to "buck the system". This book is truly the best autobiography I have read. You cannot help but admire the man for his wisdom and lack of revengeful actions. I could not put the book down. I want everyone to read and benefit from this man's experience and his outlook on life. It is so uplifting.

I thought I knew the story of apartheid. I believe everyone should read this book. Amazing convictions and courage! 27 years in prison! I remember being in college and signing petitions re: free Mandela. Apartheid was bad, so I signed. If only I had known the whole story back then! I revisited this story, as I had read it once before. Once "Mandela's Ways" came out, I wanted to refresh my memory. Wow! The 2 books go together so very well!

This man has lived a remarkable life. this book describes some of the many struggles it took for him to become the man and the leader of a nation that he became. it is a must read, he is the real thing.

"Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela" by Nelson Mandela, arrived as advertised, very good condition packed safely in a bubble-pak. The book looks as if it was read only once by a person that respects books. I would recommend purchasing from the seller and would myself buy from them in the future.

INTRO: This is the first book of this size that I have read about S. Africa. Having many relatives from S. Africa , I've heard the white side of the story about post-apartheid atrocities and unfairness, but this is the first history I've read of the history before 1994. This book really is fascinating in seeing the black perspective of the problem as well as chronologically laying out the evolution of the struggle.

BODY: An important thing to keep in mind is that this book is written by Nelson Mandela himself who is not a partial bystander. Many times in fact, the book reads like a training manual for aspiring revolutionaries. While the history of the book is not in question, you need to understand that he paints them in a very specific light. At the end of the book, you hear nothing about any killings on behalf of the ANC only about the killings which were done to them. Another example of the political agenda of this book is near the beginning when Nelson Mandela makes the statement that the tribal politics that existed before the white man was "democracy in it's purest form".

CONCLUSION: You should enjoy this book and admire Nelson Mandela for his lifetime of sacrifice and devotion to racial equality. However, don't place all your eggs in one basket and realize that there is more to the story than that of the radical revolutionary Mandela's. This book has inspired me to look further into S. Africa's present and past history.

Although, it has been some time that I read this inspirational book, it is forever singed into my mind as one of the best books written by a most noble, couragous and wise man. I have added Nelson Mandela to my very short "Hero" list. With the holidays approaching it would be a wonderful gift!!!!

Can there be any question that the wisdom and life of this man is worthy of five stars?