A Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

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Product Details

Author : Nelson Mandela
Binding : Paperback
EAN : 9780349106533
Edition : New edition
Number of Pages : 784
Product Group : Book
Publication Date : 1995-10-12
Publisher : Abacus

ASIN : 0349106533

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

The famously taciturn South African president reveals much of himself in Long Walk to Freedom. A good deal of this autobiography was written secretly while Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island by South Africa's apartheid regime. Among the book's interesting revelations is Mandela's ambivalence toward his lifetime of devotion to public works. It cost him two marriages and kept him distant from a family life he might otherwise have cherished. Long Walk to Freedom also discloses a strong and generous spirit that refused to be broken under the most trying circumstances--a spirit in which just about everybody can find something to admire. --Amazon.com

Customer Reviews

The book you should read after this one (2008-10-31)

Seretse Khama (the first president of Botswana on its independence) was a man greatly admired by Mandela. They had many qualities in common. Khama also had many obstacles put in his way by the UK, Rhodesian and South Africa governments and showed the same greatness of character as Mandela. Susan Williams' book 'Colour bar' chronicles Khama's story brillaintly, and I think that if you enjoyed 'Long walk to freedom' then you'll get a lot from this book too.

Those undaunted by the page count will be justly rewarded (2008-10-21)

Anyone who has heard of this book but hasn't read it will be at least familiar with its size - it's a doorstep of a book - but those undaunted by the page count will be justly rewarded. Mandela's life has been characterised by the 27 years he spent incarcerated on Robben Island as a political prisoner for his involvement with the anti-apartheid African National Congress. Understandably this period in his life (where he covertly wrote a large portion of the book) is covered in some detail as he attempts to explain the tedium and challenge this time presents each man. However, this book sets that period in the context of Mandela's life as well as its historical and political context.Mandela's childhood and early years were the most interesting part for me as I'm always curious to see how people came to be who they are, and the size of the book allows Mandela to do this period in his life justice without sacrificing detail of his later political life.Mandela's penchant for detail is apparent, from the administrative procedures of the ANC to details of meetings with the National Party Leadership towards the end. Friends of mine have said that the political detail was dull and too detailed but the book would not be complete without that depth and to me this reflects Mandela the man and his manner of thinking.Throughout the book Mandela employs compelling language and even shows himself to be an entertainer - never better than in court, using the legal system and his apparent courtroom flair to show the state prosecutor to be inadequate and unjust.In reading this book and recalling the events you are participating in history and cementing the lessons of the past. This is a timely moment to read The Long Walk to Freedom as you will put down the book and pick up the newspapers to continue almost uninterrupted as Zimbabwe swings in the opposite direction and Thabo Mbeki resigns as leader of the ruling ANC in South Africa.If this book was a story and if you didn't know how it ended you would never believe that the ANC party that Mandela gave his whole life to would ever be allowed to participate in Government, let alone lead the South Africa today.

Still my favourite, and I'm trying to replace it! (2008-08-25)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, absolutely engaging. The early most significant struggles of his life depicted in this book fight with you as you try to find a good point to stop for the day.A must read for everyone!

It will get you interested! (2008-05-21)

I have never really been that interested in politics; I would say I have a level of interest in UK politics as that is where I live but not foreign politics so for me, buying and then reading such a long book, I really wondered whether I would get through it. I have to say, it was interesting from the start and difficult to put down. I am not even an avid book reader but if you are curious about people generally, then this is a great book to get into. This isn't just about Nelson Mandela, fighting apartheid. It's about someone who started out similar to us - just an ordinary person but who had a simple but enjoyable childhood - different in relation to culture and upbringing. If you don't understand politics, you don't need to know a great deal and neither do you have to have indepth knowledge of South African history.I came away with a feeling of understanding this person - even knowing him to a certain extent because of how much he lets you into his thoughts and his heart. I also gained knowledge and interest from South African politics. I am in my 30s - all that I heard on television as a child myself during the Thatcher years, remembering the song Free Nelson Mandela - it all means so much more to me now.But this book not only gives you insight into Nelson Mandela as a politician, but as a person. Even that has great interest in itself. If you are similar to me and you read this book, you'll not be disappointed.

Indispensible (2008-04-11)

"Indispensible" is one of the reviewer quotes that appears on the cover of this book, and this really sums it up - this is a book that everyone should read. The book is simply Mandela telling his own life story. His life has been truly exceptional - it strains the limits of credulity that someone jailed as a political prisoner for almost 30 years could maintain a positive attitude and grow as person while in prison the way he did and ultimately emerge as the leader of a nation. Given the circumstances and experiences of his life, the lack of bitterness toward his enemies and lack of racial prejudice that he expresses in the book is inspirational and bound to make an impact on any reader. Despite its length, the book is easy to read and moves along quickly. There is little historical context provided, but this is not attempting to be a book about South African history but rather a book about humanity.

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