Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation [Mass Market Paperback]

John Carlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2009

Beginning in a jail cell and ending in a rugby tournament- the true story of how the most inspiring charm offensive in history brought South Africa together

After being released from prison and winning South Africa's first free election, Nelson Mandela presided over a country still deeply divided by fifty years of apartheid. His plan was ambitious if not far-fetched: use the national rugby team, the Springboks-long an embodiment of white-supremacist rule-to embody and engage a new South Africa as they prepared to host the 1995 World Cup. The string of wins that followed not only defied the odds, but capped Mandela's miraculous effort to bring South Africans together again in a hard-won, enduring bond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" This wonderful book describes Mandela''s methodical, improbable and brilliant campaign to reconcile resentful blacks and fearful whites around a sporting event, a game of rugby."
-The New York Times Book Review

" If you have any doubts about the political genius of Nelson Mandela, read John Carlin''s engrossing book . . . [A] feel-good slice of history."
-USA Today

About the Author

John Carlin is senior international writer for El País, the world’s leading Spanish language newspaper, and was previously the U.S. bureau chief for The Independent on Sunday. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, Wired, Spin, and Conde Nast Traveler.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Reprint edition (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143115723
• ISBN-13: 978-0143115724
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Other Team Sports > Rugby
  • #6 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Mandela, Nelson
  • #12 in Books > History > Africa > South Africa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Forgivness in overtime., November 9, 2009

By 

Sara Shwartz "buy fresh buy local" (PVD, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation (Mass Market Paperback)

Awe inspiring. Carlin gives enough back history of South Africa and the poltical tension that preceeded the 1995 World Cup Rugby game to make you want to stand up and cheer at the end of the book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, July 2, 2010

By 

aquarius - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation (Mass Market Paperback)

As a simple story about an underdog national rugby team beating all odds to win a championship, this would be a very good story. What makes this story great, is that team has been chosen (by newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela) as a way to unite a South Africa torn by divisions caused by decades of government enforced segregation of blacks and pave the way for reconciliation between bitter enemies. Can the Springboks, a symbol of the old segregated government, truly make their motto "One Team, One Country" come true?

If you have watched "Invictus" be assured that this book has much more of the background to the people and events portrayed by the movie. The added detail gives one a sharper understanding of many of the principle characters in the movie and the true scope of Mandela's brilliance.

Highly recommended!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful!, May 30, 2010

By 

madison (wisconsin usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of the finest books I have ever read. As someone who loves rugby and politics in equal measure it really hit the spot with me. It is SOOOO much better than the movie. I smiled at the end of the movie; I cried for the last three chapters of the book. John Carlin is a phenomenally evocative writer; he puts you right there, helps you to understand the complexities of both the political times and the sport without patronising. A lesson for the ages!