Rivonia's Children: Three Families and the Cost of Conscience in White South Africa

Rating:
Summary: Real life - but a gripping story
Review: For a human face on Apartheid. Read it if you want to explore idealism. Reading this book makes one think of the wellsprings of commitment to a cause. It is sufficiently engrossing that it is possible to imagine why one would join in to try and change an unjust society.

Rating:
Summary: a well written and compellingly-told narrative
Review: If you've read Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom,' and want to learn more about some of the people you met in that book, such as Helen Suzman, Ruth First, or Bram Fishcer, this book will take you day by day through their lives in the anti-apartheid struggle. Frankel weaves together the intricate threads of their stories to create a solid tapestry of experience.

Rating:
Summary: a well written and compellingly-told narrative
Review: This book shows how even the resistance movements against apartheid fell to the mercy of apartheid. White people who worked against apartheid were treated better than black people in prison and in court. A white person was less likely to be convicted in court of crimes against the state than a black person. Also, since many of the white people had economic privileges they could leave South Africa for other countries when the police harassed them. Also, many white people who worked with the ANC claimed to be communists but lived lavish lifestyles. This book focuses on the white aspect of the movement as its title suggests.

Rating:
Summary: Story of a Resistance Movement
Review: This book shows how even the resistance movements against apartheid fell to the mercy of apartheid. White people who worked against apartheid were treated better than black people in prison and in court. A white person was less likely to be convicted in court of crimes against the state than a black person. Also, since many of the white people had economic privileges they could leave South Africa for other countries when the police harassed them. Also, many white people who worked with the ANC claimed to be communists but lived lavish lifestyles. This book focuses on the white aspect of the movement as its title suggests.