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Summary: The Long Walk to Freedom
Review: At first glance, "The Long Walk To Freedom", the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, is very intimidating. The book is as thick as the bible and it's bold title made me want to run far away from it and never return. Upon receiving the book, I thought to myself, "HOW AM I GOING TO READ THIS?!" That night, the book sat alone on my kitchen table across from me. I stared menacingly at it. In a rush of adrenaline, I grabbed the book and ripped open the cover. Slowly I began to read. One page, two pages, pretty soon I had read ten WHOLE pages! Surprisingly, the book wasn't frightening at all! It was very interesting and more story-like than I had imagined. The author does a great job of enticing the reader while teaching us about Nelson's life. I got to learn a lot about political South Africa while also getting a glimpse into Nelson's personal life every once in a while. Nelson was not truly a stern political leader, in fact he was quite lighthearted. The book reveals this through a few comical stories and touching moments in Nelson's long life. It successfully ties factual yet personal information into a great story that should be read by anyone who enjoys good, thick books.
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Summary: Well worth the length
Review: I was required to read Long Walk to Freedom for a class in school. I had heard from students who were previously required to read the book that it was too long, and very bad. I did not go into this book with high expectations, which made Long Walk to Freedom a pleasant surprise. Written by Nelson Mandela over the course of several years, beginning with a first draft written in prison (which was lost to authorities), the book covers each stage of Nelson's life. Beginning with his early childhood in an African tribe, through his education and career as one of the first black lawyers of Africa, and eventually his decision to join the famed political party, the African National Congress, where Nelson began his struggle for equal rights for his people. From there Nelson goes on to describe his life fighting for the freedom of the native people of Africa. Harassed and 'banned' by the authorities for his actions, Mr. Mandela's struggle is not an easy one. He would be put on trial three separate times for crimes stemming from his political views, his third trial landing him a life sentence. But with Nelson's natural resiliency in bad situations, and nations all over the world calling for his release, he did not fear spending the rest of his life in prison. His years spent in prison would be long and hard, but he knew upon his release that the long walk to freedom would near an end. The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela is written well, and its length is not of issue, especially when taking into account how expansive the story of his life really is. The pacing of the story is actually very well done, years are written away in a few pages without anything seeming to be missed. In my opinion, even if this book had the worst writing of any novel, it would still be worth reading; its story holds so much importance and teaches so much about so many aspects of life, that it would lose nothing. Long Walk to Freedom leaves one feeling refreshed; if the racist policies of the government of an entire nation can be taken down by a group of common citizens, perhaps there is hope for reform in any nation that is going through a period of strife.
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Summary: A touch of Spirit
Review: I have never before read this hand touched autobiography. This book will lift anyone of off their feet. It tells about how he lived a life in tourture and a life in heaven. This book is great to do project on. I think all people in school schould read this book.
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Summary: Long Walk to Freedom book review
Review: The storyline of Long Walk to Freedom would make an excellent novel. However, this is the real story of a man and his country's struggle for a fair, democratic society. The fact that the events told in this autobiography actually happened is reason enough to read this book because of the moral values instilled in the reader. It's important for anyone to read this book so they not only learn about the hero Nelson Mandela is, but the unjust apartheid run South Africa as well. Occasionally the book may seem long (it is 600 pages) and slow, but overall the book is entertaining. Also, the reader can be easily frustrated with the myriad of African names thrown at him/her. Still, Mandela does a superb job as a storyteller. The reader is given excellent insight into the mind of Nelson Mandela and his reasons for the decisions he made. Also, the book has several interesting sub-stories that coincide well with his journey to a free South Africa. Most people have heard of Mandela, but few actually know the details surrounding the inspiration he is. Without a doubt, he lived one of the most eventful lives of the 20th century. His journeys from growing up as young boy in the Transkei with no opportunities to setting his people free is incredible. This is a powerful story of the struggle for equality one man and his country made. It will influence you for the rest of your life. This long walk is definitely worth taking if you're anyone interested in history/politics or anyone with a little patience.
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Summary: THE DETERMINATION OF ONE MAN- A MUST READ!
Review: After reading LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, I came away with a sense of awe for a man who spent 27 years in prison but never gave up the hope for his freedom and the freedom of his country.
Communicating was key to keeping the "freedom fighters" on the outside informed and encouraged. One way this was done was to write in tiny, coded script on toilet paper. The paper was so small and easily hidden that this became a popular way of smuggling out messages. When the authorities discovered a number of these communications, they took the extraordinary measure of rationing toilet paper. After awhile, only eight squares of toilet paper were given to each prisoner each day. To live under such conditions where you can be so isolated from the world (For 27 years), that you contemplate conversing with a cockroach, is a test of the human spirit. To sacrifice the obligations of family so that a nation of people can breath in freedom is nothing short of courageous with a fiercely determined spirit. Here is what Nelson Mandela writes about in his struggle for family and nation: I did not in the beginning choose to place my people above my family, but in attempting to serve my people, I found I was prevented from fulfilling my obligations as a son, a brother, a father, and a husband. In that way, my commitment to my people, to the millions of South Africans I would never know or meet, was at the expense of the people I knew best and loved most. It was as simple and yet as incomprehensible as the moment a small child asks her father, "Why can you not be with us?" And the father must utter the terrible words: "There are other children like you, a great many of them....." and then one's voice trails off. Nelson Mandela is a man that has a spirit and determination that is above and beyond most people or leaders today. READ THE BOOK!! It will open your eyes and in the end, it'll make you feel good about the human spirit.
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Summary: LOOOOONG Book
Review: This book kept me in prison for a long time. It really bogs down in the middle and then hurries to wrap up. It's a much more "satifying" read in the first 1/3 of the book.
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Summary: Rise above hatred
Review: I was impressed by the author's struggle against apartheid, but I was more impressed by his struggle to rise above hatred. His vision for the future of South Africa included freeing the South African people of color from opression and freeing the white South Africans from fear. Paraphrasing Bishop Tutu: Nelson Mandela is perhaps the icon of forgiveness. His generosity of spirit was inspiring and the history was fascinating.
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Summary: If you read one book in your life...
Review: ...it should be this one. The most eloquent expression of human spirit, experience, and undying hope. This book is magic, and the man who wrote it the greatest hero of our time.
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Summary: Takes Your Breath Away
Review: There are biographies and there are biographies. Frankly this book is just a masterpiece about a compelling person. It is one of the finest biographies I have ever read. It is a well done book about 600 pages with lots of details and lots of photos. The writing is clear and fluid, and the book does not bog the reader down. The book has received numerous rave reviews and one understands why when they read the book. An impresive book about a modern freeedom fighter. Jack in Toronto
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Summary: An Excellent Autobiography
Review: I have read quite a few autobiographies, but I have yet to read one that is as well-written as Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk To Freedom." In the book, Nelson Mandela sagaciously writes about his life in Apartheid South Africa and the struggles of the ANC, and the emergence of democracy. As a result, he provides the reader with insight that he/she may not receive from other nonfictional works concerning this subject. I highly recommend this book for those that wish to learn more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa, as well as those that wish to learn how he and others worked to end Apartheid.
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