Moving Mountains: The Principles and Purposes of Leon Sullivan

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Summary: What a peaceful revolutionary can achieve
Review: A black boy is not allowed to sit down and drink a coke. Having to undress in customs when leaving South Africa. These were two events that galvanised Reverend Leon Sullivan into action. And what action! The book reads like a novel. Rev Leon made a real difference in breaking down racial barriers in the US and in ending Apartheid in South Africa. I attended a lecture of Rev Leon in London in October 2000. Being well over seventy Rev. Leon is still a very inspiring speaker. That is why I bought the book. I was also curious to meet the man behind the Sullivan principles, part of the global compact between the UN and more than thirty global companies. The book describes very clearly how Rev. Leon succeeded in being such a strong and effective force for the good. Faith, effective use of non-violent power, and education are his tools. Education focuses on giving the downtrodden self-confidence and skills that are in demand. It is one of the few books that breathes optimism about the future of sub- Saharan Africa. It contains an excellent description of the problems and more importantly what can and should be done about them as well about the progress being made. Perhaps the Rev Leon is too optimistic but he has backed what look like hopeless cases before and succeeded. That is what moving mountains is all about. A very inspiring book.