The Rainbow People of God [Paperback]

Desmond Tutu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

The Rainbow People Of God traces South Africa's glorious victory over apartheid in the writings and speeches of one its central figures, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. From the graveside of Steven Biko to the triumphant inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa, Tutu's words and presence helped shape events and led South Africa toward justice and freedom. This astonishing tapestry of narrative is not only a valuable historical document of those significant events, but it also showcases the unique sense of spirit of one of the foremost spiritual leaders in the world. Tested through the greatest adversity, these writings will endure for generations to come by their truly powerful combination of compassion and strength.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This is a collection of miscellany-speeches, letters, sermons, interview extracts-by Nobel Peace Prize winner and Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tuto, who since 1976 has spoken out against apartheid and for human rights. "The Bible and the church predate Marxism and the ANC by several centuries," we read here in his letter to rabidly anticommunist South African President P.W. Botha in 1988, and indeed, Tutu's deep faith and biblical grounding infuse his communications. His denunciation of apartheid, especially in testimony to a government commission investigating church activists, has an imperturbable impact ("human beings are created in the image and likeness of God"). After the 1990 lifting of the ban on political powers, Tutu's role receded, but he has remained a voice of conscience, especially when criticizing the "culture of violence," which he stresses cannot be blamed solely on apartheid. While this book is mainly for browsing, the sections are linked by a useful narrative that explains their historical context. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This collection of sermons, speeches, and writings of the Archbishop of Capetown, one of the foremost Christian leaders of the struggle against apartheid, provides a history of nearly two decades of the struggle from a Christian perspective. Tutu's unfaltering conviction that apartheid would be defeated because it was wrong, his firm belief that God is on the side of the oppressed, and his commitment to a nonracial struggle come through in periods of apparent defeat as well as in times of success. Editor Allen has provided a useful chronology and, with each selection, gives the specific historical context. This enables the reader with little knowledge of South Africa to understand the context and thus the force and skill of the message. The collection begins with a letter to Prime Minister John Vorster in May 1976, warning of the possibility of violence in reaction to the violence of apartheid. Scarcely more than a month later such violence erupted in Soweto. It ends with Tutu's May 9, 1994 speech, following the first post-apartheid elections. There is little overlap with previous collections of Tutu's sermons (Crying in the Wilderness, Eerdmans, 1982, and Hope and Suffering, Eerdmans, 1983). An excellent volume for all collections.
--Maidel Cason, Univ. of Delaware Lib., Newark
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Image (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385483740
• ISBN-13: 978-0385483742
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #795,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Desmond Mpilo Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and was only the second black person ever to receive it. In 1986 he was elected archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in South Africa. In 1994, after the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela, Tutu was appointed as chair of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate apartheid-era crimes. His policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has become an international example of conflict resolution, and a trusted method of postconflict reconstruction. He is currently the chair of The Elders, where he gives vocal defense of human rights and campaigns for the oppressed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding collection of Tutu's antiapartheid efforts, March 14, 2003

By 

Emily Kristansen (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rainbow People of God (Paperback)

The Rainbow People of God is a must-have anthology of Desmond Tutu's most motivating and inspiring letters, sermons and addresses between 1974 and 1994. John Allen (editor) includes some of Tutu's most memorable public addresses and skillfully weaves historical background information into the public addresses for the reader's benefit. This proves extremely helpful in painting an overall picture of the antiapartheid movement in South Africa. Anyone who has listened to Tutu speak understands that he often employs humor to illustrate the darkness and oppression caused by apartheid. Readers expecting such humor will enjoy complete satisfaction in this collection of Tutu's speeches. Through Tutu's voice, we learn how he successfully merged African and Christian philosophy to become one of the key players in defeating apartheid.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Man, April 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rainbow People of God (Paperback)

Any book by Desmond Tutu is inspirational, and he always has an appealingly humorous style. Read this and "An African Prayer Book." And if you are intriqued by this great man, read "A TELLING TIME" by Glynnis Hayward, too. There is a character in this moving South African novel, Rev Mkize, who is a Zulu priest. I feel he is inspired by the famous Archbishop, whom he quotes respectfully.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, November 22, 2000

By 

"rpaine" (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rainbow People of God (Paperback)

Desmond Tutu is definately a man of God. His love, forgiveness and courage is set firmly in his belief of the Gospel. Through this book he clearly demonstrates the power that comes from a belief. The journals will inspire anybody.