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Long Walk to Freedom #1-2
乇丨賱鬲賷 丕賱胤賵賷賱丞 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞
丕賱賳丕卮乇:
乇丨賱鬲賷 丕賱胤賵賷賱丞 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 "賰鬲丕亘 賷乇賵賷 爻賷乇丞 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 丕賱匕丕鬲賷丞. 賵賴賵 賲賳 兀賴賲 丕賱賲乇丕噩毓 丕賱鬲賷 賷賲賰賳 賲賳 禺賱丕賱賴丕 丕賱鬲毓乇賮 毓賱賶 賲賱丕賲丨 鬲噩乇亘鬲賴 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 丕賱賮匕丞 丕賱鬲賷 兀爻賮乇鬲 亘毓丿 兀賰孬乇 賲賳 賳氐賮 賯乇賳 毓賳 丕賳鬲氐丕乇 廿乇丕丿丞 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 丕賱賲囟胤賴丿丞 賵毓賵丿丞 丕賱爻賱胤丞 廿賱賶 丕賱兀睾賱亘賷丞 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷丞.
賷爻鬲毓乇囟 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 亘兀爻賱賵亘 鬲丨賱賷賱賷 卮賷賯-賲賳 禺賱丕賱 鬲噩乇亘鬲賴 丕賱卮禺氐賷丞-丕賱賲乇丕丨賱 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 禺丕囟賴丕 卮毓亘賴 囟丿 爻賷丕爻丞 丕賱鬲賲賷賷夭 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱賯丕卅賲丞 毓賱賶 賴賷賲賳丞 丕賱亘賷囟貙 賮賳乇丕賴 胤賮賱丕賸 氐睾賷乇丕賸 鬲乇毓乇毓 賮賷 賯乇賷丞 賮賷 兀毓賲丕賯 丕賱乇賷賮貙 孬賲 卮丕亘丕賸 賷丕賮毓丕賸 賷胤賱亘 丕賱毓賱賲 賮賷 丕賱噩丕賲毓丞貙 孬賲 賲賵馗賮丕賸 亘爻賷胤丕賸 賷賰丕賮丨 賱爻丿 乇賲賯賴.
賷賵丕賰亘 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賲爻賷乇丞 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵賯丿 鬲賮鬲丨鬲 賲丿丕乇賰賴 賱賱毓賲賱 丕賱爻賷丕爻賷貙 賮賷賳禺乇胤 亘賰賱 賲卮丕毓乇賴 賵賵噩丿丕賳賴 賮賷 丨乇賰丞 丕賱賳囟丕賱 丕賱卮毓亘賷丞 丕賱賲賳丕賴囟丞 賱賱賳馗丕賲 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷. 賮賳乇丕賴 毓囟賵丕賸 賮毓丕賱丕賸 賮賷 丨夭亘 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 丕賱賵胤賳賷 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷貙 孬賲 乇賰賳丕賸 賲賳 兀乇賰丕賳賴貙 孬賲 賲丐爻爻丕賸 賵賯丕卅丿丕賸 賱噩賴丕夭賴 丕賱毓爻賰乇賷. 賵賳毓賷卮 賲毓賴 賵賴賵 賷賯丕乇毓 丕賱馗賱賲 噩賴丕乇丕賸 賲賳 丿丕禺賱 氐賮賵賮 丕賱丨夭亘 賵賲賳 禺賱丕賱 賲賴賳鬲賴 賰賲丨丕賲貙 賵禺賮賷丞 賲賳 禺賱丕賱 丕賱毓賲賱 丕賱爻乇賷 賵賴賵 胤乇賷丿 鬲賱丕丨賯賴 爻賱胤丕鬲 丕賱賯賲毓 賵丕賱丕爻鬲亘丿丕丿. 賵賳毓賷卮 賲毓賴 爻噩賷賳丕賸 賮賷 噩夭賷乇丞 乇賵亘賳 爻亘毓丞 賵毓卮乇賷賳 毓丕賲丕賸貙 孬賲 賲賮丕賵囟丕賸 氐賱亘丕賸 賲賳 兀噩賱 賲爻鬲賯亘賱 兀賲鬲賴貙 賮乇卅賷爻丕賸 賱兀賵賱 丨賰賵賲丞 卮乇毓賷丞 丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞 鬲丨賱 賲丨賱 丨賰賲 丕賱亘賷囟 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱匕賷 丿丕賲 孬賱丕孬丞 賯乇賵賳.
廿賳 兀賴賲 賲丕 賲賷夭 卮禺氐賷丞 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵噩毓賱 賲賳賴 乇賲夭丕賸 賱賳囟丕賱 爻賰丕賳 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕 毓賱賶 丕禺鬲賱丕賮 兀毓乇丕賯賴賲貙 賵賲丨賱丕賸 賱廿噩賲丕毓賴賲貙 賴賵 氐丿賯 廿賷賲丕賳賴 亘丨賯賵賯 兀賲鬲賴貙 賵氐賱丕亘鬲賴 賮賷 丕賱鬲賲爻賰 亘鬲賱賰 丕賱丨賯賵賯 胤賵賱 賲爻賷乇鬲賴 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 亘賱丕 賴賵丕丿丞 兀賵 賲爻丕賵賲丞貙 賰賲丕 鬲賲賷夭 亘鬲爻丕賲丨賴 賲毓 兀毓丿丕亍 丕賱兀賲爻 亘毓丿 兀賳 丕賳賴丕乇鬲 丿毓丕卅賲 丕賱賳馗丕賲 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱亘睾賷囟貙 賵兀匕毓賳 丕賱亘賷囟 廿賱賶 丕賱賯亘賵賱 亘丕賱毓賷卮 賰睾賷乇賴賲 賲賵丕胤賳賷賳 賮賷 馗賱 丿賵賱丞 丕賱賲爻丕賵丕丞 賵丕賱丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞.
氐丿乇鬲 兀賵賱 胤亘毓丞 賱賱賰鬲丕亘 亘丕賱賱睾丞 丕賱廿賳噩賱賷夭賷丞 毓丕賲 1994貙 賵鬲乇噩賲 廿賱賶 孬賱丕孬 賵毓卮乇賷賳 賱睾丞 賮賷 賲禺鬲賱賮 兀賳丨丕亍 丕賱毓丕賱賲. 賵賷爻毓丿賳丕 丕賱賷賵賲 兀賳 賳賯丿賲 廿賱賶 賯乇丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘賷丞 賴匕賴 丕賱賵孬賷賯丞 丕賱賴丕賲丞 賮賷 爻噩賱 丕賱兀丨丿丕孬 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺賷丞 丕賱禺丕賱丿丞.
乇丨賱鬲賷 丕賱胤賵賷賱丞 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 "賰鬲丕亘 賷乇賵賷 爻賷乇丞 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 丕賱匕丕鬲賷丞. 賵賴賵 賲賳 兀賴賲 丕賱賲乇丕噩毓 丕賱鬲賷 賷賲賰賳 賲賳 禺賱丕賱賴丕 丕賱鬲毓乇賮 毓賱賶 賲賱丕賲丨 鬲噩乇亘鬲賴 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 丕賱賮匕丞 丕賱鬲賷 兀爻賮乇鬲 亘毓丿 兀賰孬乇 賲賳 賳氐賮 賯乇賳 毓賳 丕賳鬲氐丕乇 廿乇丕丿丞 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 丕賱賲囟胤賴丿丞 賵毓賵丿丞 丕賱爻賱胤丞 廿賱賶 丕賱兀睾賱亘賷丞 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷丞.
賷爻鬲毓乇囟 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 亘兀爻賱賵亘 鬲丨賱賷賱賷 卮賷賯-賲賳 禺賱丕賱 鬲噩乇亘鬲賴 丕賱卮禺氐賷丞-丕賱賲乇丕丨賱 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 禺丕囟賴丕 卮毓亘賴 囟丿 爻賷丕爻丞 丕賱鬲賲賷賷夭 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱賯丕卅賲丞 毓賱賶 賴賷賲賳丞 丕賱亘賷囟貙 賮賳乇丕賴 胤賮賱丕賸 氐睾賷乇丕賸 鬲乇毓乇毓 賮賷 賯乇賷丞 賮賷 兀毓賲丕賯 丕賱乇賷賮貙 孬賲 卮丕亘丕賸 賷丕賮毓丕賸 賷胤賱亘 丕賱毓賱賲 賮賷 丕賱噩丕賲毓丞貙 孬賲 賲賵馗賮丕賸 亘爻賷胤丕賸 賷賰丕賮丨 賱爻丿 乇賲賯賴.
賷賵丕賰亘 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賲爻賷乇丞 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵賯丿 鬲賮鬲丨鬲 賲丿丕乇賰賴 賱賱毓賲賱 丕賱爻賷丕爻賷貙 賮賷賳禺乇胤 亘賰賱 賲卮丕毓乇賴 賵賵噩丿丕賳賴 賮賷 丨乇賰丞 丕賱賳囟丕賱 丕賱卮毓亘賷丞 丕賱賲賳丕賴囟丞 賱賱賳馗丕賲 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷. 賮賳乇丕賴 毓囟賵丕賸 賮毓丕賱丕賸 賮賷 丨夭亘 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 丕賱賵胤賳賷 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷貙 孬賲 乇賰賳丕賸 賲賳 兀乇賰丕賳賴貙 孬賲 賲丐爻爻丕賸 賵賯丕卅丿丕賸 賱噩賴丕夭賴 丕賱毓爻賰乇賷. 賵賳毓賷卮 賲毓賴 賵賴賵 賷賯丕乇毓 丕賱馗賱賲 噩賴丕乇丕賸 賲賳 丿丕禺賱 氐賮賵賮 丕賱丨夭亘 賵賲賳 禺賱丕賱 賲賴賳鬲賴 賰賲丨丕賲貙 賵禺賮賷丞 賲賳 禺賱丕賱 丕賱毓賲賱 丕賱爻乇賷 賵賴賵 胤乇賷丿 鬲賱丕丨賯賴 爻賱胤丕鬲 丕賱賯賲毓 賵丕賱丕爻鬲亘丿丕丿. 賵賳毓賷卮 賲毓賴 爻噩賷賳丕賸 賮賷 噩夭賷乇丞 乇賵亘賳 爻亘毓丞 賵毓卮乇賷賳 毓丕賲丕賸貙 孬賲 賲賮丕賵囟丕賸 氐賱亘丕賸 賲賳 兀噩賱 賲爻鬲賯亘賱 兀賲鬲賴貙 賮乇卅賷爻丕賸 賱兀賵賱 丨賰賵賲丞 卮乇毓賷丞 丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞 鬲丨賱 賲丨賱 丨賰賲 丕賱亘賷囟 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱匕賷 丿丕賲 孬賱丕孬丞 賯乇賵賳.
廿賳 兀賴賲 賲丕 賲賷夭 卮禺氐賷丞 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵噩毓賱 賲賳賴 乇賲夭丕賸 賱賳囟丕賱 爻賰丕賳 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕 毓賱賶 丕禺鬲賱丕賮 兀毓乇丕賯賴賲貙 賵賲丨賱丕賸 賱廿噩賲丕毓賴賲貙 賴賵 氐丿賯 廿賷賲丕賳賴 亘丨賯賵賯 兀賲鬲賴貙 賵氐賱丕亘鬲賴 賮賷 丕賱鬲賲爻賰 亘鬲賱賰 丕賱丨賯賵賯 胤賵賱 賲爻賷乇鬲賴 丕賱賳囟丕賱賷丞 亘賱丕 賴賵丕丿丞 兀賵 賲爻丕賵賲丞貙 賰賲丕 鬲賲賷夭 亘鬲爻丕賲丨賴 賲毓 兀毓丿丕亍 丕賱兀賲爻 亘毓丿 兀賳 丕賳賴丕乇鬲 丿毓丕卅賲 丕賱賳馗丕賲 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 丕賱亘睾賷囟貙 賵兀匕毓賳 丕賱亘賷囟 廿賱賶 丕賱賯亘賵賱 亘丕賱毓賷卮 賰睾賷乇賴賲 賲賵丕胤賳賷賳 賮賷 馗賱 丿賵賱丞 丕賱賲爻丕賵丕丞 賵丕賱丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞.
氐丿乇鬲 兀賵賱 胤亘毓丞 賱賱賰鬲丕亘 亘丕賱賱睾丞 丕賱廿賳噩賱賷夭賷丞 毓丕賲 1994貙 賵鬲乇噩賲 廿賱賶 孬賱丕孬 賵毓卮乇賷賳 賱睾丞 賮賷 賲禺鬲賱賮 兀賳丨丕亍 丕賱毓丕賱賲. 賵賷爻毓丿賳丕 丕賱賷賵賲 兀賳 賳賯丿賲 廿賱賶 賯乇丕亍 丕賱毓乇亘賷丞 賴匕賴 丕賱賵孬賷賯丞 丕賱賴丕賲丞 賮賷 爻噩賱 丕賱兀丨丿丕孬 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺賷丞 丕賱禺丕賱丿丞.
594 pages
First published January 1, 1994
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About the author
Nelson Mandela
253听books2,225听followersNelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, who held office from 1994鈥�99.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
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July 24, 2021
"Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished."
I'm not one for writing long reviews: I simply lack the patience, and usually end-up writing a concise review before jumping to the next book. However, every now and then, when I do come across something special, I find it inexcusable to move away hastily, before properly conveying my acclamation. 'A Long Walk To Freedom', it turns out, is very, very special. If I used all my highlights, the quotes alone could've made a lengthy review. Without any doubt, this is the best, and most impactful book I've read this year so far.
"Nurture, rather than nature, is the primary molder of personality."
"It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."
"I wondered鈥攏ot for the first time鈥攚hether one was ever justified in neglecting the welfare of one鈥檚 own family in order to fight for the welfare of others. Can there be anything more important than looking after one鈥檚 aging mother? Is politics merely a pretext for shirking one鈥檚 responsibilities, an excuse for not being able to provide in the way one wanted?"
Nelson Mandela is a person who needs no introduction. Aside from being one of the main political leaders who guided South Africa away from Apartheid, he was a man of morals, of vision, and above all, someone capable of seeing and understanding all human beings as equals. Even with all that making his life story a worthy read, it is reasonable for a reader to be hesitant in selecting between one of the other biographies of him and this autobiography. After all, more often than not, autobiographies tend to be subjective, somewhat distorted by the narrator's personal opinions. Don't let that be the reason why you stay away from this masterpiece. 'A Long Walk To Freedom', in my opinion, is as objective as it could get, without any of the author's personal views altering the reality of the events. And that is saying a lot, considering he spent almost three decades in prison, while his family was facing a continuous struggle, under a government that depended on racial discrimination.
"A man who takes away another man鈥檚 freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
"I was seven years old, and on the day before I was to begin, my father took me aside and told me that I must be dressed properly for school. Until that time, I, like all the other boys in Qunu, had worn only a blanket, which was wrapped around one shoulder and pinned at the waist. My father took a pair of his trousers and cut them at the knee. He told me to put them on, which I did, and they were roughly the correct length, although the waist was far too large. My father then took a piece of string and cinched the trousers at the waist. I must have been a comical sight, but I have never owned a suit I was prouder to wear than my father鈥檚 cut-off pants."
Journey starts with Mandela's family background, and early childhood memories. These early parts are relatively uneventful but provides a good understanding of the average African's aspects of life. Then we move on to his education, where he dives deeper to explain the education system at that time, and the limited facilities available to a student. Despite encountering numerous difficulties, he does not dawdle around those limitations, as, at the time, he had assumed those to be the accepted conditions of life for an African child. His political life only starts when he moves to Johannesburg, where he starts working while pursuing his higher education.
"I have always thought a man should own a house near the place he was born, where he might find a restfulness that eludes him elsewhere."
"In love, unlike politics, caution is not usually a virtue."
"After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one鈥檚 person."
The next few parts sets the overall direction of his life, where he joins politics, meets like-minded individuals, and becomes more and more active in the political arena. Usually, I prefer to stay away from books on politics, but the this book managed to keep me immersed even across completely political chapters. The logical, yet empathetic narrative kept me engaged, and I did not feel like skipping a single part. Again, I think this is due to the undistorted representation of events. Had the writing been influenced by any anger, it would have felt like a long criticism. The objective nature of the narrative completely shifts the book away from being a rant, to what feels like a great analysis. But what came after these political movement chapters were the most interesting one's for me, which were about his prison life. In these parts, the focus rapidly moves away from the external factors, and to the development of internal character of Mandela, where he spends most of his time contemplating a methodology for reaching a long-lasting peace.
"At pollsmoor I first understood the truth of Oscar Wilde's haunting line about the tent of blue that prisoners call the sky."
"To a narrow-thinking person, it is hard to explain that to be 'educated' does not only mean being literate and having a B.A., and that an illiterate man can be a far more 'educated' voter than someone with an advanced degree."
"While Mr. Sidelsky imparted his views of the law, he warned me against politics. Politics, he said, brings out the worst in men. It was the source of trouble and corruption, and should be avoided at all costs."
I believe, Mandela's character will teach most readers about humility and humbleness on a level that is only paralleled by characters like Lincoln, Gandhi, and MLK Jr. Though his part in uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) does deviate significantly from aforementioned characters, the underlying system of belief is more or less identical. Even after all he had gone through, Mandela's not being overly critical towards the opposition is commendable. He always addresses the issues of the system, not the individuals who are forced to act.
"The hurly-burly of city life has a way of erasing the past."
"There is little favorable to be said about poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship. Many people will appear to befriend you when you are wealthy, but precious few will do the same when you are poor. If wealth is a magnet, poverty is a kind of repellent. Yet, poverty often brings out the true generosity in others."
I believe this book should be read by every person, no matter where your interests lie. But the catch is, you'll have to be patient with this, and ready to invest the time it requires to make it to the end. Even if you find the middle parts too political, or too slow, don't give up. Unlike with fiction, don't be in a hurry to get to the end. It gets better, and better, and better, all the way to the end. You'll be glad you've done so, for, it is the journey not the destination that matters with this one, literally. The phenomenal reading experience, and the life experiences the book offers are well worth the long time it warrants.
"A mother鈥檚 death causes a man to look back on and evaluate his own life. Her difficulties, her poverty, made me question once again whether I had taken the right path. That was always the conundrum: Had I made the right choice in putting the people鈥檚 welfare even before that of my own family?"
"To humiliate another person is to make him suffer an unnecessarily cruel fate."
"The passing of the regent removed from the scene an enlightened and tolerant man who achieved the goal that marks the reign of all great leaders: he kept his people united. Liberals and conservatives, traditionalists and reformers, white-collar officials and blue-collar miners, all remained loyal to him, not because they always agreed with him, but because the regent listened to and respected all different opinions."
After a really, really long walk (took me 30+ hours to finish this), I'm glad to say, this book checked all the boxes for me, not just a few, all the way from writing style to the contents. I was never a fervent follower of politics, or social movements, but, once I started re-living the author's experiences with this book, I kept going for hours each time. I'm still surprised how I made it to the end without skipping a single sentence. A Long Walk to freedom has indeed been a long journey, but it has easily made it to my all-time-favorites, and all-must-read shelves. Irrespective of one's reading choices, this is a book one must read in his life time, and I urge every single one of your to add this to your reading list.
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered."
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
I'm not one for writing long reviews: I simply lack the patience, and usually end-up writing a concise review before jumping to the next book. However, every now and then, when I do come across something special, I find it inexcusable to move away hastily, before properly conveying my acclamation. 'A Long Walk To Freedom', it turns out, is very, very special. If I used all my highlights, the quotes alone could've made a lengthy review. Without any doubt, this is the best, and most impactful book I've read this year so far.
"Nurture, rather than nature, is the primary molder of personality."
"It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."
"I wondered鈥攏ot for the first time鈥攚hether one was ever justified in neglecting the welfare of one鈥檚 own family in order to fight for the welfare of others. Can there be anything more important than looking after one鈥檚 aging mother? Is politics merely a pretext for shirking one鈥檚 responsibilities, an excuse for not being able to provide in the way one wanted?"
Nelson Mandela is a person who needs no introduction. Aside from being one of the main political leaders who guided South Africa away from Apartheid, he was a man of morals, of vision, and above all, someone capable of seeing and understanding all human beings as equals. Even with all that making his life story a worthy read, it is reasonable for a reader to be hesitant in selecting between one of the other biographies of him and this autobiography. After all, more often than not, autobiographies tend to be subjective, somewhat distorted by the narrator's personal opinions. Don't let that be the reason why you stay away from this masterpiece. 'A Long Walk To Freedom', in my opinion, is as objective as it could get, without any of the author's personal views altering the reality of the events. And that is saying a lot, considering he spent almost three decades in prison, while his family was facing a continuous struggle, under a government that depended on racial discrimination.
"A man who takes away another man鈥檚 freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness."
"I was seven years old, and on the day before I was to begin, my father took me aside and told me that I must be dressed properly for school. Until that time, I, like all the other boys in Qunu, had worn only a blanket, which was wrapped around one shoulder and pinned at the waist. My father took a pair of his trousers and cut them at the knee. He told me to put them on, which I did, and they were roughly the correct length, although the waist was far too large. My father then took a piece of string and cinched the trousers at the waist. I must have been a comical sight, but I have never owned a suit I was prouder to wear than my father鈥檚 cut-off pants."
Journey starts with Mandela's family background, and early childhood memories. These early parts are relatively uneventful but provides a good understanding of the average African's aspects of life. Then we move on to his education, where he dives deeper to explain the education system at that time, and the limited facilities available to a student. Despite encountering numerous difficulties, he does not dawdle around those limitations, as, at the time, he had assumed those to be the accepted conditions of life for an African child. His political life only starts when he moves to Johannesburg, where he starts working while pursuing his higher education.
"I have always thought a man should own a house near the place he was born, where he might find a restfulness that eludes him elsewhere."
"In love, unlike politics, caution is not usually a virtue."
"After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one鈥檚 person."
The next few parts sets the overall direction of his life, where he joins politics, meets like-minded individuals, and becomes more and more active in the political arena. Usually, I prefer to stay away from books on politics, but the this book managed to keep me immersed even across completely political chapters. The logical, yet empathetic narrative kept me engaged, and I did not feel like skipping a single part. Again, I think this is due to the undistorted representation of events. Had the writing been influenced by any anger, it would have felt like a long criticism. The objective nature of the narrative completely shifts the book away from being a rant, to what feels like a great analysis. But what came after these political movement chapters were the most interesting one's for me, which were about his prison life. In these parts, the focus rapidly moves away from the external factors, and to the development of internal character of Mandela, where he spends most of his time contemplating a methodology for reaching a long-lasting peace.
"At pollsmoor I first understood the truth of Oscar Wilde's haunting line about the tent of blue that prisoners call the sky."
"To a narrow-thinking person, it is hard to explain that to be 'educated' does not only mean being literate and having a B.A., and that an illiterate man can be a far more 'educated' voter than someone with an advanced degree."
"While Mr. Sidelsky imparted his views of the law, he warned me against politics. Politics, he said, brings out the worst in men. It was the source of trouble and corruption, and should be avoided at all costs."
I believe, Mandela's character will teach most readers about humility and humbleness on a level that is only paralleled by characters like Lincoln, Gandhi, and MLK Jr. Though his part in uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) does deviate significantly from aforementioned characters, the underlying system of belief is more or less identical. Even after all he had gone through, Mandela's not being overly critical towards the opposition is commendable. He always addresses the issues of the system, not the individuals who are forced to act.
"The hurly-burly of city life has a way of erasing the past."
"There is little favorable to be said about poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship. Many people will appear to befriend you when you are wealthy, but precious few will do the same when you are poor. If wealth is a magnet, poverty is a kind of repellent. Yet, poverty often brings out the true generosity in others."
I believe this book should be read by every person, no matter where your interests lie. But the catch is, you'll have to be patient with this, and ready to invest the time it requires to make it to the end. Even if you find the middle parts too political, or too slow, don't give up. Unlike with fiction, don't be in a hurry to get to the end. It gets better, and better, and better, all the way to the end. You'll be glad you've done so, for, it is the journey not the destination that matters with this one, literally. The phenomenal reading experience, and the life experiences the book offers are well worth the long time it warrants.
"A mother鈥檚 death causes a man to look back on and evaluate his own life. Her difficulties, her poverty, made me question once again whether I had taken the right path. That was always the conundrum: Had I made the right choice in putting the people鈥檚 welfare even before that of my own family?"
"To humiliate another person is to make him suffer an unnecessarily cruel fate."
"The passing of the regent removed from the scene an enlightened and tolerant man who achieved the goal that marks the reign of all great leaders: he kept his people united. Liberals and conservatives, traditionalists and reformers, white-collar officials and blue-collar miners, all remained loyal to him, not because they always agreed with him, but because the regent listened to and respected all different opinions."
After a really, really long walk (took me 30+ hours to finish this), I'm glad to say, this book checked all the boxes for me, not just a few, all the way from writing style to the contents. I was never a fervent follower of politics, or social movements, but, once I started re-living the author's experiences with this book, I kept going for hours each time. I'm still surprised how I made it to the end without skipping a single sentence. A Long Walk to freedom has indeed been a long journey, but it has easily made it to my all-time-favorites, and all-must-read shelves. Irrespective of one's reading choices, this is a book one must read in his life time, and I urge every single one of your to add this to your reading list.
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered."
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
The air of one's home always smells sweet after one has been away.
December 24, 2013
鈥淎s I finally walked through those gates to enter a car on the other side, I felt- even at the age of seventy-one- that my life was beginning anew. My ten thousand days of imprisonment were over.鈥� - Nelson Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom
2013, my year of reading biographies, started off with Dr. King鈥檚 and ended with reading Nelson Mandela鈥檚. A perfect end to the year.
Apartheid is something that hit very close to home to me, being a member of the same Bantu people that the racist Afrikaner government believed were on the same level as animals. Mandela has always been a hero in my family and I grew up hearing about his life and his struggles to gain freedom for black South Africans. I knew about Apartheid before I knew about the American civil rights movement.
This autobiography is very comprehensive in scope, covering Mandela鈥檚 childhood, his adulthood, his transformation into a freedom fighter, and his time spent in jail, and finally his inauguration as South Africa鈥檚 first black president.The history of his African National Congress party was intriguing,and even more gripping were the stories of Mandela's days as the "Black Pimpernel" travelling all around Africa and Europe.
This was not an easy read. Mandela made so many sacrifices, as did his wife and children. It really hurt reading about how he, his wife and children were treated, and how it took so long for the world to wake up and send proper help.
鈥淚 was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.鈥�
A couple of things really stood out to me. The first was how colonized our thinking is. Black Africans have been told they are inferior and even now they often display that inferiority complex. The Afrikaners were fed the same lies and believed that blacks were inferior before witnessing for themselves that that wasn't true (Boer party propaganda). The second thing that stood out was how this book restored my faith in mankind at times. It was fascinating to read about the humanity that arose in the unlikeliest people.
Mandela was humble and acknowledged all those involved in the freedom struggle. About his inauguration, he said, 鈥淚 felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who have gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.鈥�
After reading this book, my respect for Mandela grew even more. I loved his spirit; he refused to be broken, he refused to become bitter and he somehow kept his wit and his sense of humour. He was honest about what he learned, about his own prejudices and mistakes.
The first time I visited South Africa was in 1995, a year after the democratic elections that officially ended Apartheid. The thought crossed my mind that a few years prior my family and I would not have been able to make that trip in such comfort and safety. Thank you, Madiba for making this happen.
To quote my GR friend Leola, 鈥淚 feel like the world could never be prepared enough to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela.鈥�
2013, my year of reading biographies, started off with Dr. King鈥檚 and ended with reading Nelson Mandela鈥檚. A perfect end to the year.
Apartheid is something that hit very close to home to me, being a member of the same Bantu people that the racist Afrikaner government believed were on the same level as animals. Mandela has always been a hero in my family and I grew up hearing about his life and his struggles to gain freedom for black South Africans. I knew about Apartheid before I knew about the American civil rights movement.
This autobiography is very comprehensive in scope, covering Mandela鈥檚 childhood, his adulthood, his transformation into a freedom fighter, and his time spent in jail, and finally his inauguration as South Africa鈥檚 first black president.The history of his African National Congress party was intriguing,and even more gripping were the stories of Mandela's days as the "Black Pimpernel" travelling all around Africa and Europe.
This was not an easy read. Mandela made so many sacrifices, as did his wife and children. It really hurt reading about how he, his wife and children were treated, and how it took so long for the world to wake up and send proper help.
鈥淚 was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.鈥�
A couple of things really stood out to me. The first was how colonized our thinking is. Black Africans have been told they are inferior and even now they often display that inferiority complex. The Afrikaners were fed the same lies and believed that blacks were inferior before witnessing for themselves that that wasn't true (Boer party propaganda). The second thing that stood out was how this book restored my faith in mankind at times. It was fascinating to read about the humanity that arose in the unlikeliest people.
Mandela was humble and acknowledged all those involved in the freedom struggle. About his inauguration, he said, 鈥淚 felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who have gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.鈥�
After reading this book, my respect for Mandela grew even more. I loved his spirit; he refused to be broken, he refused to become bitter and he somehow kept his wit and his sense of humour. He was honest about what he learned, about his own prejudices and mistakes.
The first time I visited South Africa was in 1995, a year after the democratic elections that officially ended Apartheid. The thought crossed my mind that a few years prior my family and I would not have been able to make that trip in such comfort and safety. Thank you, Madiba for making this happen.
To quote my GR friend Leola, 鈥淚 feel like the world could never be prepared enough to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela.鈥�
December 6, 2013
At over 700 pages, Nelson Mandela's autobiography might look like a serious commitment. Actually though, it doesn't feel like a heavy book at all. Like the thinking which informs it, the writing is clear, measured and straightforward, albeit scattered with bits of Harvard English that are presumably down to Mandela's (uncredited) American ghostwriter, Richard Stengel.
I sped through it in under a week, thanks mainly to a couple of long train journeys. I'm left with a much more nuanced view of Mandela and what he stood for, and a much clearer idea of the man behind the symbol.
What I found particularly valuable were the insights into how deeply apartheid ingrained racism not just on to the white minority, but on to the attitudes and assumptions throughout the whole of South African society. Mandela at one point mentions being struck by the sight of a young beggar-girl by the side of the road in a township, and reacting completely differently because she was white:
A few years and several hundred pages later, he has the corollary experience while taking a clandestine flight in Ethiopia.
If the leaders of the resistance movement can react like this 鈥� How could a black man fly a plane? 鈥� the reactions of less committed or thoughtful South Africans can readily be imagined, and you begin to get a sense of the sheer scale of the problem which faced the ANC and other activists. A problem which has not entirely gone away.
These are the well-chosen memories of someone interested in their own thoughts and responses, and who had the time 鈥� so much of it 鈥� to examine his life and sift out the experiences that counted. Everywhere in the book, there is this sense of a man who has thought long and hard about the choices he made, and can explain them simply and directly.
Not all of them are necessarily easy to sympathise with, or at least they perhaps shouldn't be. Let's be clear: Mandela is not Ghandi. We should remember (and he is admirably open about it) that Amnesty International always declined to work on Mandela's behalf because he refused to renounce violence as a valid tool in the fight against apartheid. He was the first head of the ANC's militant wing, the MK, and involved in paramilitary training; he drew up plans for action that ran from sabotage to guerrilla warfare. At one point, he describes his 1950s self as 鈥榓 young man who attempted to make up for his ignorance with militancy鈥� 鈥� but actually, that militancy never goes away, it just becomes more grounded in political and moral justifications. Mandela's ethical sensibility is always there; but ethics are not paramount.
Effective weapons were considered to include explosives, as demonstrated for example in the Church Street bombing of 1983 which killed 19 people and wounded over 200, including many civilians. Mandela mentions it in passing, and has the following to say.
We are on dangerous ground here. Can we put a number on how many civilian deaths are considered a reasonable price to pay for ending apartheid? At the same time, though, who on earth am I to question his decisions and moral code 鈥� I who have never experienced a fraction of the abuse and discrimination which was his daily life, and who am never likely to have to make the impossible choices that were so common under apartheid?
All I can say is Mandela doesn't shy away from it. I may not always be comfortable about it, but I felt a deep respect for his willingness to stand behind his actions and explain them as best he can.
Ultimately, Mandela was saved from being a truly ambiguous figure by the simple fact that he was arrested and imprisoned before he could be directly involved in any violence himself; for him, it's all theoretical, and, locked away behind bars, he could be viewed more simply as an innocent martyr to a just cause. And indeed, it's in his response to the years of incarceration that the greatness of Mandela's character comes through. Twenty-seven years in jail would be enough to make any man bitter; but he is the opposite of bitter. Time and again he shows himself willing to listen to and work with those who might easily be called his enemies 鈥� from dissenting black activists, through ambivalent prison warders, up to the president of South Africa.
It's his astonishing ability to do without bitterness 鈥� essentially, his capacity for forgiveness 鈥� which really makes Mandela an inspiration. Perhaps it's my na茂vet茅, but I can't help concluding that, when international pressure got too much for South Africa's government, it was Mandela's openness in negotiations which forged the breakthrough and not the MK's sporadic attempts to meet violence with violence. That's certainly what I'll take away from this excellent and fascinating memoir: that, and a delight in his unshakable belief that no matter how degrading the conditions, or how long the imprisonment, no one had the power to damage who he was on the inside:
I sped through it in under a week, thanks mainly to a couple of long train journeys. I'm left with a much more nuanced view of Mandela and what he stood for, and a much clearer idea of the man behind the symbol.
What I found particularly valuable were the insights into how deeply apartheid ingrained racism not just on to the white minority, but on to the attitudes and assumptions throughout the whole of South African society. Mandela at one point mentions being struck by the sight of a young beggar-girl by the side of the road in a township, and reacting completely differently because she was white:
While I did not normally give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money. In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman. In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.
A few years and several hundred pages later, he has the corollary experience while taking a clandestine flight in Ethiopia.
As I was boarding the plane I saw that the pilot was black. I had never seen a black pilot before, and the instant I did I had to quell my panic. How could a black man fly a plane? But a moment later I caught myself: I had fallen into the apartheid mind-set, thinking Africans were inferior and that flying was a white man's job.
If the leaders of the resistance movement can react like this 鈥� How could a black man fly a plane? 鈥� the reactions of less committed or thoughtful South Africans can readily be imagined, and you begin to get a sense of the sheer scale of the problem which faced the ANC and other activists. A problem which has not entirely gone away.
These are the well-chosen memories of someone interested in their own thoughts and responses, and who had the time 鈥� so much of it 鈥� to examine his life and sift out the experiences that counted. Everywhere in the book, there is this sense of a man who has thought long and hard about the choices he made, and can explain them simply and directly.
Not all of them are necessarily easy to sympathise with, or at least they perhaps shouldn't be. Let's be clear: Mandela is not Ghandi. We should remember (and he is admirably open about it) that Amnesty International always declined to work on Mandela's behalf because he refused to renounce violence as a valid tool in the fight against apartheid. He was the first head of the ANC's militant wing, the MK, and involved in paramilitary training; he drew up plans for action that ran from sabotage to guerrilla warfare. At one point, he describes his 1950s self as 鈥榓 young man who attempted to make up for his ignorance with militancy鈥� 鈥� but actually, that militancy never goes away, it just becomes more grounded in political and moral justifications. Mandela's ethical sensibility is always there; but ethics are not paramount.
For me, non-violence was not a moral principle but a strategy; there is no moral goodness in using an ineffective weapon.
Effective weapons were considered to include explosives, as demonstrated for example in the Church Street bombing of 1983 which killed 19 people and wounded over 200, including many civilians. Mandela mentions it in passing, and has the following to say.
The killing of civilians was a tragic accident, and I felt a profound horror at the death toll. But disturbed as I was by these casualties, I knew that such accidents were the inevitable consequence of the decision to embark on a military struggle. Human fallibility is always a part of war, and the price of it is always high. It was precisely because we knew that such incidents would occur that our decision to take up arms had been so grave and reluctant. But as Oliver said at the time of the bombing, the armed struggle was imposed upon us by the violence of the apartheid regime.
We are on dangerous ground here. Can we put a number on how many civilian deaths are considered a reasonable price to pay for ending apartheid? At the same time, though, who on earth am I to question his decisions and moral code 鈥� I who have never experienced a fraction of the abuse and discrimination which was his daily life, and who am never likely to have to make the impossible choices that were so common under apartheid?
All I can say is Mandela doesn't shy away from it. I may not always be comfortable about it, but I felt a deep respect for his willingness to stand behind his actions and explain them as best he can.
Ultimately, Mandela was saved from being a truly ambiguous figure by the simple fact that he was arrested and imprisoned before he could be directly involved in any violence himself; for him, it's all theoretical, and, locked away behind bars, he could be viewed more simply as an innocent martyr to a just cause. And indeed, it's in his response to the years of incarceration that the greatness of Mandela's character comes through. Twenty-seven years in jail would be enough to make any man bitter; but he is the opposite of bitter. Time and again he shows himself willing to listen to and work with those who might easily be called his enemies 鈥� from dissenting black activists, through ambivalent prison warders, up to the president of South Africa.
It's his astonishing ability to do without bitterness 鈥� essentially, his capacity for forgiveness 鈥� which really makes Mandela an inspiration. Perhaps it's my na茂vet茅, but I can't help concluding that, when international pressure got too much for South Africa's government, it was Mandela's openness in negotiations which forged the breakthrough and not the MK's sporadic attempts to meet violence with violence. That's certainly what I'll take away from this excellent and fascinating memoir: that, and a delight in his unshakable belief that no matter how degrading the conditions, or how long the imprisonment, no one had the power to damage who he was on the inside:
Prison and the authorities conspire to rob each man of his dignity. In and of itself, that assured that I would survive, for any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose because I will not part with it at any price or under any pressure.
May 4, 2022
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela (Long Walk to Freedom #1-2), Nelson Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island. He later achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle still continued against apartheid in South Africa.
毓賳賵丕賳賴丕蹖 趩丕倬 卮丿賴 丿乇 丕蹖乇丕賳: 芦乇丕賴 丿卮賵丕乇 丌夭丕丿蹖: 禺丕胤乇丕鬲 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貨 芦乇丕賴 胤賵賱丕賳蹖 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌夭丕丿蹖: 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 禺賵丕賳卮: 爻丕賱1995賲蹖賱丕丿蹖
毓賳賵丕賳: 乇丕賴 丿卮賵丕乇 丌夭丕丿蹖: 禺丕胤乇丕鬲 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賴賵卮 睾賱丕賲蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕胤賱丕毓丕鬲貙 爻丕賱1374貙 丿乇804貨 賵23氐貨 賲氐賵乇貙 毓讴爻貙 卮丕亘讴9644233263貨 趩丕倬 丿賵賲 爻丕賱1379貨 趩丕倬 爻賵賲 爻丕賱1383貨 趩丕倬 趩賴丕乇賲 爻丕賱1387貨 卮丕亘讴9789644233265貨 趩丕倬 倬賳噩賲 爻丕賱1390貨 趩丕倬 卮卮賲 爻丕賱1392貨 趩丕倬 賴賮鬲賲 爻丕賱1395貨 趩丕倬 賴卮鬲賲 爻丕賱1397貨 賲賵囟賵毓 蹖丕丿賲丕賳賴丕 賵 夭蹖爻鬲賳丕賲賴 蹖 賳賵蹖爻賳丿诏丕賳 丕賮乇蹖賯丕蹖蹖貙 丕賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖 - 爻丿賴20賲
毓賳賵丕賳: 乇丕賴 胤賵賱丕賳蹖 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌夭丕丿蹖: 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 鬲賱禺蹖氐 讴賵讴賵讴丕趩丕賱蹖丕 賵 賲丕乇讴 爻賵鬲賳乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲 爻蹖賲丕 乇賮蹖毓蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 毓胤丕蹖蹖貙 爻丕賱1392貨 丿乇168氐貨 賲氐賵乇貨 卮丕亘讴9789643137250貨 毓賳賵丕賳 丿蹖诏乇 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨
賳诏丕乇賳丿賴 蹖 讴鬲丕亘 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 丿乇 乇賵夭 賴噩丿賴賲 賲丕賴 噩賵賱丕蹖 爻丕賱1918賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿乇 芦鬲乇賳爻讴蹖貙 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 亘賴 丕蹖賳 丿賳蹖丕 丌賲丿賳丿貨 丕蹖卮丕賳 丿乇 爻丕賱1944賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 亘賴 芦讴賳诏乇賴 蹖 賲賱蹖 丌賮乇蹖賯丕禄 倬蹖賵爻鬲賳丿貙 賵 倬爻 丕夭 爻丕賱1948賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 倬蹖卮 丕夭 丿爻鬲诏蹖乇蹖 丿乇 賲丕賴 丕诏賵爻鬲 爻丕賱1962賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 亘乇丕亘乇 爻蹖丕爻鬲賴丕蹖 芦丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿禄 丨夭亘 賲賱蹖 丨丕讴賲 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖 讴乇丿賳丿貨 丿乇 賲丕賴 賳賵丕賲亘乇 爻丕賱1962賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丕蹖卮丕賳 亘賴 倬賳噩 爻丕賱 夭賳丿丕賳 賲丨讴賵賲 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 丿乇 爻丕賱1963賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿乇 夭賳丿丕賳 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇丕亘賳禄 亘賴 賳賵卮鬲賳 丌睾丕夭 讴乇丿賳丿貙 鬲丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 亘賴 芦倬乇鬲賵乇蹖丕禄 亘丕夭诏卮鬲 丿丕丿賴 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 爻倬爻 丿乇 丌賳噩丕貙 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丿乇 丿丕丿诏丕賴 芦乇蹖賵賳蹖丕禄 賲丨丕讴賲賴貙 賵 丕夭 爻丕賱1964賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 鬲丕 爻丕賱1982賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丿乇 夭賳丿丕賳 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇丕亘賳禄 夭賳丿丕賳蹖 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 爻倬爻 丕蹖卮丕賳 乇丕 亘賴 夭賳丿丕賳 芦倬丕賱爻賲賵乇禄 亘乇丿賳丿貙 讴賴 丿乇 丌賳噩丕 亘賴 鬲丿乇蹖噩 亘賴 毓賳賵丕賳 賳賲丕丿 賯丿乇鬲賲賳丿蹖 丕夭 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖貙 丿乇 亘乇丕亘乇 噩賳亘卮 囟丿 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿貙 亘賴 卮賴乇鬲 乇爻蹖丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 丿乇 胤賵賱27爻丕賱 夭賳丿丕賳貙 讴賴 亘蹖卮鬲乇 丌賳 乇丕 丿乇 蹖讴 爻賱賵賱 丿乇 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇賵亘賳禄 爻倬乇蹖 讴乇丿賳丿貙 賲卮賴賵乇鬲乇蹖賳 趩賴乇賴 蹖 賲亘丕乇夭 毓賱蹖賴 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿貙 丿乇 芦丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 卮丿賳丿貨 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 乇丕賴亘乇丕賳 亘夭乇诏賵丕乇 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賵 賲乇丿賲蹖 丿賵乇丕賳 賲丕 亘賵丿賳丿貨 丕蹖卮丕賳 賯賴乇賲丕賳蹖 噩賴丕賳蹖 亘賵丿賳丿貙 讴賴 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 賵賯賮 賲亘丕乇夭賴 亘丕 鬲亘毓蹖囟 賳跇丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 亘賴 倬丕爻 丌賳 丕夭 禺賵丿 诏匕卮鬲诏蹖貙 噩丕蹖夭賴 蹖 氐賱丨 賳賵亘賱 亘賴 丕蹖卮丕賳 丕賴丿丕 卮丿貙 賵 亘賴 乇蹖丕爻鬲 噩賲賴賵乇蹖 讴卮賵乇卮 乇爻蹖丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 亘蹖爻鬲 賵 賴賮鬲 爻丕賱 丕夭 亘賴鬲乇蹖賳 爻丕賱賴丕蹖 毓賲乇 禺賵蹖卮 乇丕 丿乇 倬卮鬲 賲蹖賱賴 賴丕蹖 夭賳丿丕賳 诏匕乇丕賳丿賳丿貙 丕賲丕 賱丨馗賴 丕蹖 丕夭 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖 賵 賲亘丕乇夭賴 丿乇 乇丕賴 丌乇賲丕賳 禺賵蹖卮 丿爻鬲 賳讴卮蹖丿賳丿貙 鬲丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 丿乇 爻丕賱1990賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 爻賳 賴賮鬲丕丿 賵 丿賵爻丕賱诏蹖貙 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丌夭丕丿蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 亘賴 丿爻鬲 丌賵乇丿賳丿貙 賵 丿乇 賲乇讴夭 氐丨賳賴 爻蹖丕爻蹖 噩賴丕賳蹖 賯乇丕乇 诏乇賮鬲賳丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘賴 毓賳賵丕賳 乇卅蹖爻 芦讴賳诏乇賴 賲賱蹖 丌賮乇蹖賯丕禄 賵 芦賳賴囟鬲 囟丿 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 賲賱鬲 禺賵蹖卮 乇丕 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌乇賲丕賳 芦丨讴賵賲鬲 丕讴孬乇蹖鬲禄貙 賵 芦丿賵賱鬲 趩賳丿 賳跇丕丿蹖禄 賴丿丕蹖鬲 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 賳蹖乇賵蹖 丨蹖丕鬲蹖 丿乇 賲亘丕乇夭賴 丿乇 乇丕賴 芦丨賯賵賯 亘卮乇禄貙 賵 芦亘乇丕亘乇蹖 賳跇丕丿蹖禄 亘賵丿賴 丕賳丿
丕蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘 卮乇丨蹖 鬲讴丕賳 丿賴賳丿賴 賵 賴蹖噩丕賳 丕賳诏蹖夭 丕夭 夭賳丿诏蹖 丕蹖卮丕賳爻鬲貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘乇丕蹖 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 亘丕乇貙 丕夭 丿丕爻鬲丕賳 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵蹖卮貙 丕夭 芦丨賲丕爻賴 蹖 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴丕 賵 卮讴爻鬲賴丕禄貙 丕夭 芦丕賲蹖丿賴丕蹖 丿賵亘丕乇賴禄貙 賵 丕夭 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖禄 爻禺賳 賲蹖诏賵蹖賳丿貨 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貙 亘乇丕蹖 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳賴丕 丕賳爻丕賳 丿乇 爻乇丕爻乇 噩賴丕賳貙 賳賲丕丿蹖 丕夭 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖 丕賲蹖丿 賵 睾乇賵乇禄貙 亘乇 芦賳賵賲蹖丿蹖 賵 鬲賳賮乇禄貙 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖 毓卮賯 賵 丕夭 禺賵丿诏匕卮鬲诏蹖 賵 禺賵蹖卮鬲賳丿丕乇蹖禄貙 亘乇 芦禺氐賱鬲賴丕蹖 丕賴乇蹖賲賳蹖 賵 丕賳鬲賯丕賲 噩賵蹖蹖禄 賲蹖賳诏丕乇賳丿貙 賵 亘丕 禺賵丕賳卮诏乇丕賳 禺賵蹖卮 夭蹖亘丕 爻禺賳 賲蹖诏賵蹖賳丿
鬲丕乇蹖禺 亘賴賳诏丕賲 乇爻丕賳蹖 07/04/1399賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 13/02/1401賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 丕. 卮乇亘蹖丕賳蹖
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island. He later achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle still continued against apartheid in South Africa.
毓賳賵丕賳賴丕蹖 趩丕倬 卮丿賴 丿乇 丕蹖乇丕賳: 芦乇丕賴 丿卮賵丕乇 丌夭丕丿蹖: 禺丕胤乇丕鬲 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貨 芦乇丕賴 胤賵賱丕賳蹖 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌夭丕丿蹖: 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 鬲丕乇蹖禺 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 禺賵丕賳卮: 爻丕賱1995賲蹖賱丕丿蹖
毓賳賵丕賳: 乇丕賴 丿卮賵丕乇 丌夭丕丿蹖: 禺丕胤乇丕鬲 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賲鬲乇噩賲: 賲賴賵卮 睾賱丕賲蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 丕胤賱丕毓丕鬲貙 爻丕賱1374貙 丿乇804貨 賵23氐貨 賲氐賵乇貙 毓讴爻貙 卮丕亘讴9644233263貨 趩丕倬 丿賵賲 爻丕賱1379貨 趩丕倬 爻賵賲 爻丕賱1383貨 趩丕倬 趩賴丕乇賲 爻丕賱1387貨 卮丕亘讴9789644233265貨 趩丕倬 倬賳噩賲 爻丕賱1390貨 趩丕倬 卮卮賲 爻丕賱1392貨 趩丕倬 賴賮鬲賲 爻丕賱1395貨 趩丕倬 賴卮鬲賲 爻丕賱1397貨 賲賵囟賵毓 蹖丕丿賲丕賳賴丕 賵 夭蹖爻鬲賳丕賲賴 蹖 賳賵蹖爻賳丿诏丕賳 丕賮乇蹖賯丕蹖蹖貙 丕賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖 - 爻丿賴20賲
毓賳賵丕賳: 乇丕賴 胤賵賱丕賳蹖 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌夭丕丿蹖: 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 賳賵蹖爻賳丿賴: 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨 鬲賱禺蹖氐 讴賵讴賵讴丕趩丕賱蹖丕 賵 賲丕乇讴 爻賵鬲賳乇貨 賲鬲乇噩賲 爻蹖賲丕 乇賮蹖毓蹖貨 鬲賴乇丕賳貙 毓胤丕蹖蹖貙 爻丕賱1392貨 丿乇168氐貨 賲氐賵乇貨 卮丕亘讴9789643137250貨 毓賳賵丕賳 丿蹖诏乇 夭賳丿诏蹖賳丕賲賴 賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕貨
賳诏丕乇賳丿賴 蹖 讴鬲丕亘 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 丿乇 乇賵夭 賴噩丿賴賲 賲丕賴 噩賵賱丕蹖 爻丕賱1918賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿乇 芦鬲乇賳爻讴蹖貙 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 亘賴 丕蹖賳 丿賳蹖丕 丌賲丿賳丿貨 丕蹖卮丕賳 丿乇 爻丕賱1944賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 亘賴 芦讴賳诏乇賴 蹖 賲賱蹖 丌賮乇蹖賯丕禄 倬蹖賵爻鬲賳丿貙 賵 倬爻 丕夭 爻丕賱1948賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 倬蹖卮 丕夭 丿爻鬲诏蹖乇蹖 丿乇 賲丕賴 丕诏賵爻鬲 爻丕賱1962賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 亘乇丕亘乇 爻蹖丕爻鬲賴丕蹖 芦丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿禄 丨夭亘 賲賱蹖 丨丕讴賲 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖 讴乇丿賳丿貨 丿乇 賲丕賴 賳賵丕賲亘乇 爻丕賱1962賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丕蹖卮丕賳 亘賴 倬賳噩 爻丕賱 夭賳丿丕賳 賲丨讴賵賲 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 丿乇 爻丕賱1963賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿乇 夭賳丿丕賳 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇丕亘賳禄 亘賴 賳賵卮鬲賳 丌睾丕夭 讴乇丿賳丿貙 鬲丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 亘賴 芦倬乇鬲賵乇蹖丕禄 亘丕夭诏卮鬲 丿丕丿賴 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 爻倬爻 丿乇 丌賳噩丕貙 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丿乇 丿丕丿诏丕賴 芦乇蹖賵賳蹖丕禄 賲丨丕讴賲賴貙 賵 丕夭 爻丕賱1964賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 鬲丕 爻丕賱1982賲蹖賱丕丿蹖 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丿乇 夭賳丿丕賳 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇丕亘賳禄 夭賳丿丕賳蹖 卮丿賳丿貙 賵 爻倬爻 丕蹖卮丕賳 乇丕 亘賴 夭賳丿丕賳 芦倬丕賱爻賲賵乇禄 亘乇丿賳丿貙 讴賴 丿乇 丌賳噩丕 亘賴 鬲丿乇蹖噩 亘賴 毓賳賵丕賳 賳賲丕丿 賯丿乇鬲賲賳丿蹖 丕夭 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖貙 丿乇 亘乇丕亘乇 噩賳亘卮 囟丿 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿貙 亘賴 卮賴乇鬲 乇爻蹖丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 丿乇 胤賵賱27爻丕賱 夭賳丿丕賳貙 讴賴 亘蹖卮鬲乇 丌賳 乇丕 丿乇 蹖讴 爻賱賵賱 丿乇 芦噩夭蹖乇賴 乇賵亘賳禄 爻倬乇蹖 讴乇丿賳丿貙 賲卮賴賵乇鬲乇蹖賳 趩賴乇賴 蹖 賲亘丕乇夭 毓賱蹖賴 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿貙 丿乇 芦丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 卮丿賳丿貨 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 蹖讴蹖 丕夭 乇丕賴亘乇丕賳 亘夭乇诏賵丕乇 爻蹖丕爻蹖 賵 賲乇丿賲蹖 丿賵乇丕賳 賲丕 亘賵丿賳丿貨 丕蹖卮丕賳 賯賴乇賲丕賳蹖 噩賴丕賳蹖 亘賵丿賳丿貙 讴賴 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 賵賯賮 賲亘丕乇夭賴 亘丕 鬲亘毓蹖囟 賳跇丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 亘賴 倬丕爻 丌賳 丕夭 禺賵丿 诏匕卮鬲诏蹖貙 噩丕蹖夭賴 蹖 氐賱丨 賳賵亘賱 亘賴 丕蹖卮丕賳 丕賴丿丕 卮丿貙 賵 亘賴 乇蹖丕爻鬲 噩賲賴賵乇蹖 讴卮賵乇卮 乇爻蹖丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 亘蹖爻鬲 賵 賴賮鬲 爻丕賱 丕夭 亘賴鬲乇蹖賳 爻丕賱賴丕蹖 毓賲乇 禺賵蹖卮 乇丕 丿乇 倬卮鬲 賲蹖賱賴 賴丕蹖 夭賳丿丕賳 诏匕乇丕賳丿賳丿貙 丕賲丕 賱丨馗賴 丕蹖 丕夭 倬丕蹖丿丕乇蹖 賵 賲亘丕乇夭賴 丿乇 乇丕賴 丌乇賲丕賳 禺賵蹖卮 丿爻鬲 賳讴卮蹖丿賳丿貙 鬲丕 丕蹖賳讴賴 丿乇 爻丕賱1990賲蹖賱丕丿蹖貙 丿乇 爻賳 賴賮鬲丕丿 賵 丿賵爻丕賱诏蹖貙 丿賵亘丕乇賴 丌夭丕丿蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 亘賴 丿爻鬲 丌賵乇丿賳丿貙 賵 丿乇 賲乇讴夭 氐丨賳賴 爻蹖丕爻蹖 噩賴丕賳蹖 賯乇丕乇 诏乇賮鬲賳丿貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘賴 毓賳賵丕賳 乇卅蹖爻 芦讴賳诏乇賴 賲賱蹖 丌賮乇蹖賯丕禄 賵 芦賳賴囟鬲 囟丿 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖禄 賲賱鬲 禺賵蹖卮 乇丕 亘賴 爻賵蹖 丌乇賲丕賳 芦丨讴賵賲鬲 丕讴孬乇蹖鬲禄貙 賵 芦丿賵賱鬲 趩賳丿 賳跇丕丿蹖禄 賴丿丕蹖鬲 讴乇丿賴貙 賵 賳蹖乇賵蹖 丨蹖丕鬲蹖 丿乇 賲亘丕乇夭賴 丿乇 乇丕賴 芦丨賯賵賯 亘卮乇禄貙 賵 芦亘乇丕亘乇蹖 賳跇丕丿蹖禄 亘賵丿賴 丕賳丿
丕蹖賳 讴鬲丕亘 卮乇丨蹖 鬲讴丕賳 丿賴賳丿賴 賵 賴蹖噩丕賳 丕賳诏蹖夭 丕夭 夭賳丿诏蹖 丕蹖卮丕賳爻鬲貨 芦賲丕賳丿賱丕禄 亘乇丕蹖 賳禺爻鬲蹖賳 亘丕乇貙 丕夭 丿丕爻鬲丕賳 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵蹖卮貙 丕夭 芦丨賲丕爻賴 蹖 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴丕 賵 卮讴爻鬲賴丕禄貙 丕夭 芦丕賲蹖丿賴丕蹖 丿賵亘丕乇賴禄貙 賵 丕夭 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖禄 爻禺賳 賲蹖诏賵蹖賳丿貨 芦賳賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賱丕禄貙 亘乇丕蹖 賲蹖賱蹖賵賳賴丕 丕賳爻丕賳 丿乇 爻乇丕爻乇 噩賴丕賳貙 賳賲丕丿蹖 丕夭 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖 丕賲蹖丿 賵 睾乇賵乇禄貙 亘乇 芦賳賵賲蹖丿蹖 賵 鬲賳賮乇禄貙 芦倬蹖乇賵夭蹖 毓卮賯 賵 丕夭 禺賵丿诏匕卮鬲诏蹖 賵 禺賵蹖卮鬲賳丿丕乇蹖禄貙 亘乇 芦禺氐賱鬲賴丕蹖 丕賴乇蹖賲賳蹖 賵 丕賳鬲賯丕賲 噩賵蹖蹖禄 賲蹖賳诏丕乇賳丿貙 賵 亘丕 禺賵丕賳卮诏乇丕賳 禺賵蹖卮 夭蹖亘丕 爻禺賳 賲蹖诏賵蹖賳丿
鬲丕乇蹖禺 亘賴賳诏丕賲 乇爻丕賳蹖 07/04/1399賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 13/02/1401賴噩乇蹖 禺賵乇卮蹖丿蹖貨 丕. 卮乇亘蹖丕賳蹖
March 8, 2017
As I continue the forty days of biography reading, I thought I ought to tackle some of the 'big players' in the world of politics. At a time when the world is still ill-balanced, I wanted to delve into the world of Nelson Mandela, one who sought to recalibrate a significant unbalance on the African continent over a number of decades. Having a great interest in South Africa, the backwardness of apartheid's acceptance by any governing body, and how the world handled the bloodshed under the racist regime there, I felt this would be a wonderful starting point. I have read much historical fiction about the country and the struggles, but it is high time we look to facts and figures. There will be those who oppose me reading this autobiography for propaganda reasons (and they have already reared their heads) and I welcome their sentiments, though the sub-set who are supremacists and bully views for the sake of racism belong in the weed-choked fields of knowledge from whence they came. And yes, they have come out to write to me as well!
Born in 1918 with the birth name 'Rolihlahla', Xhosa for "pulling the branch of a tree', Mandela lived his early years in a small village far from the bustling cities of Cape Town or Johannesburg. Living in the traditional way of Africans, the village shared resources and means of survival, which might have fostered his views that found him in hot water decades later. Seeing much potential in their son, Mandela's parents allowed the Church to play a strong role in his upbringing and education, which led him to find a passion for the law. Mandela explains early on in this autobiography that his desire to advocate for others became a foundation of the way he lived his life. Eventually pulled into the larger city, Mandela worked in a law firm in Johannesburg, though failed to pass some of the essential academic examinations to earn an LLB. However, Mandela found a strong desire to help his fellow African with issues that arose and worked within the limits before him to ensure that all South Africans shared the same opportunities. South Africa was in the midst of a transformation, still part of the British Commonwealth but run primarily by the Afrikaner white minority, who ruled in an off-balance manner that sought to use the minority sentiments to shape the laws for all. With the exclusion of the black African (please allow me at this time to offer apologies for anyone who takes offence to the word 'black', for I am simply using the term Mandela presented throughout, which differentiates between the white minority and the unrepresented majority) population, Mandela began to meet with other like-minded men and sought to join the political movement of the African National Congress (ANC), whose long-standing support of black equality fit nicely with the views he espoused. Mandela used this passion to fuel his mantra as he sought to push back against the views of the South African Government. Mandela did find time to marry, choosing Evelyn Nkoto Mase, who bore him his first set of children. Mandela explores the life of an anti-colonist and the role the ANC played in his early life. By this time, the South African government brought in apartheid, an approach to racial divide the country and benefit the whites. Mandela would not stand for this and spoke out whenever he could to counter the racist governmental policies. The strains between Mandela and Evelyn led to a disintegration of that marriage and Mandela was forced to come to terms with it while he wrestled for black equality. Not long single, Mandela met and married Winnie Madikizela, sure they would be together after their first date. Things ramped up and Mandela was soon persona non grata in the country, hiding from the authorities in order to protect himself. Mandela tells of his secret trips to other parts of Africa to meet with other black leaders who were also trying to toss the shackles of oppression from their peoples. And yet, the world stood by and watched as the politics of South Africa became more troublesome. The ANC ramped up its views and Mandela became a strong figurehead, eventually brought to trial for High Treason after espousing views of wanting to overthrow the government. Mandela makes clear that there was no way to follow a peaceful solution against the Government, though he may have wanted to parallel Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. However, targeted violence would not include the regular citizen and assassination was never promoted or condoned. Sentenced to life in prison after the judge chose not to impose the death penalty, Mandela began his twenty-seven years behind bars on Robben Island, an isolated prison facility.
A resident of the Robben Island prison Mandela speaks frankly about his incarceration and the treatment he received. While the meals were poor and the sanitary conditions less than ideal, I expected severe beatings and horrendous treatment at the hands of guards and wardens to pepper the narrative. However, Mandela was seen as an advocate for his fellow prisoners and earned the respect of the white prison hierarchy, to the point that he was given special treatment when presenting concerns to the prison authorities. His imprisonment became a political soapbox and many people from all corners of the world came to see him and listen to his views, though nothing changed. While the outside world continued to speak out against apartheid and issued sanctions, politics within the country sought to strengthen the racially divisive movement under a number of leaders, culminating in P.W. Botha, perhaps its most ruthless Afrikaner leader. However, as Mandela presents in the latter portion of the narrative, Botha readily met with Mandela and heard his complaints. Mandela continued to espouse equality and fought against apartheid, though Botha gave only lip service to these concerns. As the world began to shift toward the end of the 1980s, South Africa's apartheid views seemed to dissipate when Botha stepped down and F.W. de Klerk became prime minister. Under de Klerk, Mandela's sentence came to an end and he was able to leave Robben Island, completing the long and sordid walk to freedom.
Mandela is able to use the last dozen or so chapters to speak of this freedom and the changes that came to pass, though there was surely many hurdles to overcome and much reconciliation that needed to take place. Mandela advocated for free and open elections, even while de Klerk sought an outright veto over any legislation for the Afrikaners. Push came to shove and the racial divide led to more murders, increased resentment, and added pressure on Mandela and the ANC to prove that they could act within political means and not turn to guns. Mandela speaks frankly, though never stops pushing for talk over bullet to solve the issue. By the time the first open national election came to pass in 1994, Mandela was able to rise to the role of President of the South African Republic, the ultimate gift after decades of oppression.
Some who saw that I was reading this jumped immediately onto Mandela's being a communist (as though that were a poisoned moniker) and a terrorist. Both of these sentiments are true in their textbook form, though the flavour in which they were presented makes them seem horrid and worthy of vilification. To those people, who prefer to talk of peaceful whites and raping blacks (I kid you not), I can only offer pity as they allow ignorance to ferment inside their minds. It also shows that they have no interest in engaging in an intellectual conversation on Mandela or the apartheid era in South Africa. Mandela's upbringing was very much one of social equality for all and his interest in Marxist views fuelled a passion to see equality for every man, woman, and child within South Africa, irregardless of the colour of their skin or background. His terrorist leanings were borne out of a need to bring about needed change. I neither condemn or condone these actions, but I do see some rationale, as Mandela spoke of wanting to emulate Gandhi's protest in India. However, while the British were a sensible people with a democratic political system that permitted all to vote, South Africa would never allow blacks to have a political voice, thereby keeping them from ever bringing about change in a parliamentary means. Mandela spoke of two Americans coming to see him in prison, pushing the idea of Martin Luther King's triumphs in America without ever needing to promote violence. Again, Mandela spoke of how the US Constitution entrenched equal rights within the document and King was only trying to promote these sentiments in the racist south. So, while he was a terrorist in the textbook sense, one might wonder if it was for a good cause. Of course, that will not quell the views of those who are cemented into a hatred that could include burning crosses or half-truths, but then again, some people's ignorance comes from indoctrination and a refusal to expand their knowledge.
Mandela's crisp delivery is refreshing, especially as he speaks to frankly about these issues. I was drawn into the chapters and found myself begging for more information, even though I was already drowning in all the narrative had to offer. Mandela does not try to make himself look like a martyr or saint, but does not shy away from the evils he felt were developing around him. His love of self, family, and the larger South African state appears throughout. While this was an autobiography, it is balanced and can be called a realistic account, though I would be remiss if I took it as gospel. Mandela pulls no punches, while remaining above the fray and not getting himself stuck in the racial mud slinging that one might expect from someone who was oppressed for so long. He could have penned a powerful piece, highly critical of the government and scathing in its presentation, but by keeping things balanced and free from poisonous rhetoric, the reader is more likely to find pieces they support. The attentive reader will learn how Mandela devised early drafts of this piece and find themselves impressed with his ability to recollect so much. Far from succinct, but laid out perfectly to see the slow development of Mandela's struggles, the reader will surely appreciate the attention to detail and powerful arguments that pepper this piece from beginning to end.
Kudos seem to be too small an honour to bestow upon you, Mr. Mandela. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and while others may criticise me for even considering it, I am happy I took the time to learn about these struggles within South Africa.
I would encourage anyone who knows of a good book that tells the opposite side of the argument to send me a recommendation. All I ask is that it is well-sourced and a grounded piece that does not spiral into hate speech. I am eager to see apartheid and the white struggle within South Africa, should it exist.
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Born in 1918 with the birth name 'Rolihlahla', Xhosa for "pulling the branch of a tree', Mandela lived his early years in a small village far from the bustling cities of Cape Town or Johannesburg. Living in the traditional way of Africans, the village shared resources and means of survival, which might have fostered his views that found him in hot water decades later. Seeing much potential in their son, Mandela's parents allowed the Church to play a strong role in his upbringing and education, which led him to find a passion for the law. Mandela explains early on in this autobiography that his desire to advocate for others became a foundation of the way he lived his life. Eventually pulled into the larger city, Mandela worked in a law firm in Johannesburg, though failed to pass some of the essential academic examinations to earn an LLB. However, Mandela found a strong desire to help his fellow African with issues that arose and worked within the limits before him to ensure that all South Africans shared the same opportunities. South Africa was in the midst of a transformation, still part of the British Commonwealth but run primarily by the Afrikaner white minority, who ruled in an off-balance manner that sought to use the minority sentiments to shape the laws for all. With the exclusion of the black African (please allow me at this time to offer apologies for anyone who takes offence to the word 'black', for I am simply using the term Mandela presented throughout, which differentiates between the white minority and the unrepresented majority) population, Mandela began to meet with other like-minded men and sought to join the political movement of the African National Congress (ANC), whose long-standing support of black equality fit nicely with the views he espoused. Mandela used this passion to fuel his mantra as he sought to push back against the views of the South African Government. Mandela did find time to marry, choosing Evelyn Nkoto Mase, who bore him his first set of children. Mandela explores the life of an anti-colonist and the role the ANC played in his early life. By this time, the South African government brought in apartheid, an approach to racial divide the country and benefit the whites. Mandela would not stand for this and spoke out whenever he could to counter the racist governmental policies. The strains between Mandela and Evelyn led to a disintegration of that marriage and Mandela was forced to come to terms with it while he wrestled for black equality. Not long single, Mandela met and married Winnie Madikizela, sure they would be together after their first date. Things ramped up and Mandela was soon persona non grata in the country, hiding from the authorities in order to protect himself. Mandela tells of his secret trips to other parts of Africa to meet with other black leaders who were also trying to toss the shackles of oppression from their peoples. And yet, the world stood by and watched as the politics of South Africa became more troublesome. The ANC ramped up its views and Mandela became a strong figurehead, eventually brought to trial for High Treason after espousing views of wanting to overthrow the government. Mandela makes clear that there was no way to follow a peaceful solution against the Government, though he may have wanted to parallel Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. However, targeted violence would not include the regular citizen and assassination was never promoted or condoned. Sentenced to life in prison after the judge chose not to impose the death penalty, Mandela began his twenty-seven years behind bars on Robben Island, an isolated prison facility.
A resident of the Robben Island prison Mandela speaks frankly about his incarceration and the treatment he received. While the meals were poor and the sanitary conditions less than ideal, I expected severe beatings and horrendous treatment at the hands of guards and wardens to pepper the narrative. However, Mandela was seen as an advocate for his fellow prisoners and earned the respect of the white prison hierarchy, to the point that he was given special treatment when presenting concerns to the prison authorities. His imprisonment became a political soapbox and many people from all corners of the world came to see him and listen to his views, though nothing changed. While the outside world continued to speak out against apartheid and issued sanctions, politics within the country sought to strengthen the racially divisive movement under a number of leaders, culminating in P.W. Botha, perhaps its most ruthless Afrikaner leader. However, as Mandela presents in the latter portion of the narrative, Botha readily met with Mandela and heard his complaints. Mandela continued to espouse equality and fought against apartheid, though Botha gave only lip service to these concerns. As the world began to shift toward the end of the 1980s, South Africa's apartheid views seemed to dissipate when Botha stepped down and F.W. de Klerk became prime minister. Under de Klerk, Mandela's sentence came to an end and he was able to leave Robben Island, completing the long and sordid walk to freedom.
Mandela is able to use the last dozen or so chapters to speak of this freedom and the changes that came to pass, though there was surely many hurdles to overcome and much reconciliation that needed to take place. Mandela advocated for free and open elections, even while de Klerk sought an outright veto over any legislation for the Afrikaners. Push came to shove and the racial divide led to more murders, increased resentment, and added pressure on Mandela and the ANC to prove that they could act within political means and not turn to guns. Mandela speaks frankly, though never stops pushing for talk over bullet to solve the issue. By the time the first open national election came to pass in 1994, Mandela was able to rise to the role of President of the South African Republic, the ultimate gift after decades of oppression.
Some who saw that I was reading this jumped immediately onto Mandela's being a communist (as though that were a poisoned moniker) and a terrorist. Both of these sentiments are true in their textbook form, though the flavour in which they were presented makes them seem horrid and worthy of vilification. To those people, who prefer to talk of peaceful whites and raping blacks (I kid you not), I can only offer pity as they allow ignorance to ferment inside their minds. It also shows that they have no interest in engaging in an intellectual conversation on Mandela or the apartheid era in South Africa. Mandela's upbringing was very much one of social equality for all and his interest in Marxist views fuelled a passion to see equality for every man, woman, and child within South Africa, irregardless of the colour of their skin or background. His terrorist leanings were borne out of a need to bring about needed change. I neither condemn or condone these actions, but I do see some rationale, as Mandela spoke of wanting to emulate Gandhi's protest in India. However, while the British were a sensible people with a democratic political system that permitted all to vote, South Africa would never allow blacks to have a political voice, thereby keeping them from ever bringing about change in a parliamentary means. Mandela spoke of two Americans coming to see him in prison, pushing the idea of Martin Luther King's triumphs in America without ever needing to promote violence. Again, Mandela spoke of how the US Constitution entrenched equal rights within the document and King was only trying to promote these sentiments in the racist south. So, while he was a terrorist in the textbook sense, one might wonder if it was for a good cause. Of course, that will not quell the views of those who are cemented into a hatred that could include burning crosses or half-truths, but then again, some people's ignorance comes from indoctrination and a refusal to expand their knowledge.
Mandela's crisp delivery is refreshing, especially as he speaks to frankly about these issues. I was drawn into the chapters and found myself begging for more information, even though I was already drowning in all the narrative had to offer. Mandela does not try to make himself look like a martyr or saint, but does not shy away from the evils he felt were developing around him. His love of self, family, and the larger South African state appears throughout. While this was an autobiography, it is balanced and can be called a realistic account, though I would be remiss if I took it as gospel. Mandela pulls no punches, while remaining above the fray and not getting himself stuck in the racial mud slinging that one might expect from someone who was oppressed for so long. He could have penned a powerful piece, highly critical of the government and scathing in its presentation, but by keeping things balanced and free from poisonous rhetoric, the reader is more likely to find pieces they support. The attentive reader will learn how Mandela devised early drafts of this piece and find themselves impressed with his ability to recollect so much. Far from succinct, but laid out perfectly to see the slow development of Mandela's struggles, the reader will surely appreciate the attention to detail and powerful arguments that pepper this piece from beginning to end.
Kudos seem to be too small an honour to bestow upon you, Mr. Mandela. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and while others may criticise me for even considering it, I am happy I took the time to learn about these struggles within South Africa.
I would encourage anyone who knows of a good book that tells the opposite side of the argument to send me a recommendation. All I ask is that it is well-sourced and a grounded piece that does not spiral into hate speech. I am eager to see apartheid and the white struggle within South Africa, should it exist.
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February 26, 2025
To evoke Nelson Mandela is to produce Africa in a general way so much his fight for freedom, dignity, and everything South Africa's racists have inflicted on him to break him, extinguish and stifle that Man's dream. Nelson Mandela is an icon of Africa but the most representative of this continent!
The Man has steel morale because he will be imprisoned for twenty-seven years in the sinister prison of Robben Island, and we remember this great moment in history, in 1990, when he went out with a big smile and relaxed. He greeted his compatriots, who had come to greet and cheer him. These images are transmitted by all television channels around the world and live. It was very moving!
In his novel, Nelson Mandela evokes all the stages of his life: his political beginnings, his fight against white racism, and the terrible system of apartheid.
He got out of prison without any grudge or resentment against whites.
He was elected president of the country for just one term. We can only admire this Great Man kneaded with great moral and human qualities.
A character who had marked the history of his country and history in general!
The Man has steel morale because he will be imprisoned for twenty-seven years in the sinister prison of Robben Island, and we remember this great moment in history, in 1990, when he went out with a big smile and relaxed. He greeted his compatriots, who had come to greet and cheer him. These images are transmitted by all television channels around the world and live. It was very moving!
In his novel, Nelson Mandela evokes all the stages of his life: his political beginnings, his fight against white racism, and the terrible system of apartheid.
He got out of prison without any grudge or resentment against whites.
He was elected president of the country for just one term. We can only admire this Great Man kneaded with great moral and human qualities.
A character who had marked the history of his country and history in general!
November 9, 2016
If you are not a prolific reader, the size and weight of this volume may look daunting. After reading the first two or three chapters, you will be tempted to give up. DON'T!!! It's just about to get really good.
This autobiography chronicles Mandela's life, first as the son of a tribal chief, then as an educated Black man under Apartheid--a dangerous thing to be--and then the journey, both outward and inward, from attorney to the leader of a revolution. You will read about his time on Riecher's Island, the notorious prison, and the various experiences he had in the courtroom and in captivity. He tells of the cunning ways those who were jailed for political reasons created to communicate and to an extent, continue to lead from inside prison. And he breaks up the horror with an occasional vignette of a surprisingly kindly jailor or other authority figure who does small, decent things when no one is looking.
If you are interested in the history of South Africa and the defeat of Apartheid, this is a must-read. If you ever, as I did, had a "Free Nelson Mandela" poster in your living room...read this, and celebrate.
This autobiography chronicles Mandela's life, first as the son of a tribal chief, then as an educated Black man under Apartheid--a dangerous thing to be--and then the journey, both outward and inward, from attorney to the leader of a revolution. You will read about his time on Riecher's Island, the notorious prison, and the various experiences he had in the courtroom and in captivity. He tells of the cunning ways those who were jailed for political reasons created to communicate and to an extent, continue to lead from inside prison. And he breaks up the horror with an occasional vignette of a surprisingly kindly jailor or other authority figure who does small, decent things when no one is looking.
If you are interested in the history of South Africa and the defeat of Apartheid, this is a must-read. If you ever, as I did, had a "Free Nelson Mandela" poster in your living room...read this, and celebrate.
September 21, 2019
I had skipped over this book by Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) many times thinking I had read it. The other day I checked my records and was surprised to discovered I had recorded it to read but had not read it. I now have corrected that mistake.
The book is well written. It covers Nelson Mandela鈥檚 life from childhood to becoming the president of South Africa. The author also describes the history of South Africa and the various local tribes so I have a better understanding of the situation. The writing is a bit dry at times and very little personal emotion is displayed. Mandela鈥檚 high ideals and his fight for freedom comes through loud and clear in the book. The book is about the fight for civil rights. This is an excellent memoir. It held my attention throughout the book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twenty-nine hours and thirty-nine minutes. Michael Boatman does a good job narrating the book. Boatman is an actor and audiobook narrator. I am glad I read this as an audiobook as I would never had been able to pronounce the African names.
The book is well written. It covers Nelson Mandela鈥檚 life from childhood to becoming the president of South Africa. The author also describes the history of South Africa and the various local tribes so I have a better understanding of the situation. The writing is a bit dry at times and very little personal emotion is displayed. Mandela鈥檚 high ideals and his fight for freedom comes through loud and clear in the book. The book is about the fight for civil rights. This is an excellent memoir. It held my attention throughout the book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twenty-nine hours and thirty-nine minutes. Michael Boatman does a good job narrating the book. Boatman is an actor and audiobook narrator. I am glad I read this as an audiobook as I would never had been able to pronounce the African names.
December 23, 2007
First of all let me say that Nelson Mandela is an amazing man who has been through more trials than I could ever imagine, and he faced them with such class and strength. I am glad I know more about his history and his life as a "freedom fighter," and this book gave me greater appreciation for black South Africans. However, it was a long, long, long, long walk to freedom. I guess I like books that are written in story form, which shows some lack of intelligence on my part, unfortunately. It took me about 11 months to read this book, and I would have given up, except for the fact that it would make me crazy to start a book and not finish it (especially because I wanted to learn more about apartheid).
December 19, 2020
I finally finished Nelson Mandela's iconic autobiography Long Walk To Freedom. It is an essential text for anyone who is interested in the topics of racism and the anti-apartheid struggle, or simply in South Africa, and one of the most influential African leaders in recent history.
Unfortunately, I only read the German translation of Mandela's work, which made it a bit of a pain in the ass to read. [Seriously, if you're from Germany but understand English, I beg you to pick up the original because the German translation is shockingly bad. Mandela's writing feels clunky and inauthentic.] Therefore, it took me over a year to finally find the motivation again to pick up this book ... but when I finally did, I was more than happy and appreciative of the lessons that I took from it.
Granted, I still think that this autobiography is a good 300 pages too long and could've benefited from having a stricter editor (to keep the events described a little more sharp and cohesive, especially for readers who haven't followed Mandela's activism and political career closely), especially due to the fact that where Mandela excels at writing enthralling speeches, he fumbles in writing down his own story in a compelling way, but nonetheless, it is a remarkable historical document that will enlighten readers for many generations to come.
Therefore, instead of summarising his life (I mean, you can google that for yourself) or "review" this autobiography as I would a regular ole novel, I thought I would focus on the five lessons that I took away from reading Long Walk To Freedom, I decided to focus on the lessons that were most surprising to me and that, in some ways, altered my view on certain topics.
1) Nonviolence only goes so far, sometimes violence is the only way.
In the 1950s, Nelson Mandela organized and led many nonviolent protest campaigns. But when 69 Black protestors were shot by white policemen in 1960 during a demonstration in Sharpeville, he realized that the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa could not be committed to nonviolence ... because nonviolence only goes so far. Shortly after the demonstration, he met with the head of the ANC and argued that their organisation needed to embrace the armed struggle in order to bring about substantial change. And it turns out he was right.
I truly admire Mandela for standing firm in his belief and approach that nonviolence cannot always be the way, especially if the oppressor you're dealing with is out to kill you and exploit you for all of eternity (if they had their way). [Btw, little "fun" fact, due to these beliefs and his previous activism, Mandela remained on the official U.S. terrorist watch list until 2008. Yep. And guess who wasn't on that list? Any of the white politicians who tried to keep apartheid in place and were responsible for the oppression and murder of millions of people.]
2) Everything is political, everyone is political. To deny and/or not act on that simple fact is a privilege that a lot of people don't have.
That's not necessarily a lesson that was entirely new for me. I've been thinking a lot about ignorance and privilege this year. However, reading about Mandela's life and how he was politicised basically the moment he was born (because as a Black South African he had no other choice, due to the oppressive and racist society he was born in) really hammered home the point that every one of us and everything we do is political. Whether we like it or not, whether we admit it or not. Whether we acknowledge it or not.
What I found interesting is that Mandela also describes events in his life during which he realised that he had internalised racism(s) as well. In one episode, he describes his unease at realising that the pilot of the plane he was boarding was African, 鈥� "How could a Black man fly a plane?" 鈥� and it's a revealing moment that shows that we constantly have to challenge and question norms and beliefs that we were fed during our socialisation and upbringing.
3) The Left needs to put their internal differences aside if it wants to stand a chance against rising Right-wing politics.
One of the most interesting aspects of Long Walk to Freedom was the formation of the ANC (African National Congress) and its quarrels with other parties and organisations that were also involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.
4) Maybe not all sacrifices are worth it in the end.
Once thing that I found oddly refreshing about Long Walk To Freedom is that Mandela doesn't hold back on all of the personal sacrifices that he (and his family, and his friends, and his nation) had to make during all of these years ... and how saddened (at least in some ways) he was left by all of it. Even though I, of course, knew that Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, reading about it firsthand made me truly realise that the horror of it all, not just the humiliations and frustrations of everyday prison life, also the fact that he couldn't bury his own mother ("Not being able to bury my mother added to my grief, as it would have been my duty as the eldest child and only son."), not being able to see your children growing up and therefore losing your connection to them,
5) A system of oppression cannot be reformed; it must be abolished.
Recently, I have come more and more to the conclusion that certain institutions simply need to be defunded, disestablished and abolished. Mandela's Long Walk To Freedom, Davis' Are Prisons Obsolete? and all the discussions that I've had over the past summer, reinforced my belief that some institutions are past the point of repair. Reforming, altering and changing them won't do any good (especially not in the long run) for the marginalised people that are oppressed by them.
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended."
Unfortunately, I only read the German translation of Mandela's work, which made it a bit of a pain in the ass to read. [Seriously, if you're from Germany but understand English, I beg you to pick up the original because the German translation is shockingly bad. Mandela's writing feels clunky and inauthentic.] Therefore, it took me over a year to finally find the motivation again to pick up this book ... but when I finally did, I was more than happy and appreciative of the lessons that I took from it.
Granted, I still think that this autobiography is a good 300 pages too long and could've benefited from having a stricter editor (to keep the events described a little more sharp and cohesive, especially for readers who haven't followed Mandela's activism and political career closely), especially due to the fact that where Mandela excels at writing enthralling speeches, he fumbles in writing down his own story in a compelling way, but nonetheless, it is a remarkable historical document that will enlighten readers for many generations to come.
"I have dedicated my life to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realized. But, My Lord, if it needs to be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." 鈥� 鈥塏elson Mandela at the conclusion of his speech during the Rivonia Treason Trial on April 20, 1964Nowadays, the name of Nelson Mandela has become synonymous with selflessness, justice and sacrificial values. As South Africa's first democratically elected President, he will go down as one of the most influential politicians and public figures of all time. His impact on South Africa must be celebrated: the abolition of apartheid, the implementation of a democratic system, his work on Aids and poverty, and his attempt at a more just and equal society for all. So it comes as no surprise that he is often put on a pedestal and being viewed as this larger-than-life figure. Reading Long Walk To Freedom enables us to see Mandela as a man in his own right, with his own struggles, shortcomings and failures, not just his contributions and accomplishments; it shows that it took a village (or let's say, a whole country) to bring about this substantial change and shift within South African society and politics; the victory of ending apartheid belonged to every single person who has fought and stood up for it, not just one man.
Therefore, instead of summarising his life (I mean, you can google that for yourself) or "review" this autobiography as I would a regular ole novel, I thought I would focus on the five lessons that I took away from reading Long Walk To Freedom, I decided to focus on the lessons that were most surprising to me and that, in some ways, altered my view on certain topics.
1) Nonviolence only goes so far, sometimes violence is the only way.
In the 1950s, Nelson Mandela organized and led many nonviolent protest campaigns. But when 69 Black protestors were shot by white policemen in 1960 during a demonstration in Sharpeville, he realized that the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa could not be committed to nonviolence ... because nonviolence only goes so far. Shortly after the demonstration, he met with the head of the ANC and argued that their organisation needed to embrace the armed struggle in order to bring about substantial change. And it turns out he was right.
I replied that nonviolence had very much failed us, for it had in no way curbed the state's use of violence or brought about a change of heart among our oppressors.Mandela once famously said: "The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. That time has now come to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defence of our people, our future, and our freedom." And I couldn't agree more with him. Like most of us (I assume), I agree that nonviolence is an honorable strategy and where nonviolence is possible and successful, it should always be favored. But when you are presented with a hopeless situation as in South Africa, where a majority of its people were repressed and disenfranchised, and a minority held all power and was killing people by the thousands with no regard for their life, there comes a time where a certain line is crossed, where you cannot sit around and wait for progress (as Baldwin once famously put it), where enough is simply enough, where protests, sit-ins and marches don't bring in the results, where your people are still oppressed, killed, lynched and denied basic human rights on a daily basis.
I truly admire Mandela for standing firm in his belief and approach that nonviolence cannot always be the way, especially if the oppressor you're dealing with is out to kill you and exploit you for all of eternity (if they had their way). [Btw, little "fun" fact, due to these beliefs and his previous activism, Mandela remained on the official U.S. terrorist watch list until 2008. Yep. And guess who wasn't on that list? Any of the white politicians who tried to keep apartheid in place and were responsible for the oppression and murder of millions of people.]
2) Everything is political, everyone is political. To deny and/or not act on that simple fact is a privilege that a lot of people don't have.
That's not necessarily a lesson that was entirely new for me. I've been thinking a lot about ignorance and privilege this year. However, reading about Mandela's life and how he was politicised basically the moment he was born (because as a Black South African he had no other choice, due to the oppressive and racist society he was born in) really hammered home the point that every one of us and everything we do is political. Whether we like it or not, whether we admit it or not. Whether we acknowledge it or not.
An African child is born in an Africans Only hospital, taken home in an Africans Only bus, lives in an Africans Only area, and attends Africans Only schools, if he attends school at all. When he grows up, he can hold Africans Only jobs, rent a house in an Africans Only townships, ride Africans Only trains, and be stopped at any time of the day or night and be ordered to produce a pass, failing which he will be arrested and thrown in jail. His life is circumscribed by racist laws and regulations that cripple his growth, dim his potential, and stunt his life.Mandela vividly describes that he didn't have one singular epiphany or revelation that made him want to become a rebel, rather it was this steady accumulation of all these everyday injustices that produced in him an anger that led to his desire to fight that system that imprisoned and oppressed his people. For him, there was no active choice whether or not he wanted to devote himself to the liberation of his people, it was a necessary result of his everyday life. He didn't have the privilege to simply close his eyes and pretend nothing was wrong. He had to act and stand up for his people and himself.
What I found interesting is that Mandela also describes events in his life during which he realised that he had internalised racism(s) as well. In one episode, he describes his unease at realising that the pilot of the plane he was boarding was African, 鈥� "How could a Black man fly a plane?" 鈥� and it's a revealing moment that shows that we constantly have to challenge and question norms and beliefs that we were fed during our socialisation and upbringing.
3) The Left needs to put their internal differences aside if it wants to stand a chance against rising Right-wing politics.
One of the most interesting aspects of Long Walk to Freedom was the formation of the ANC (African National Congress) and its quarrels with other parties and organisations that were also involved in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Theoretical differences between those fighting oppression are a luxury we cannot afford at this stage.It truly reminded me of how, nowadays, Right-wing ideas and politics often benefit from the fact that different Left-wing (or Left-leaning) parties are at each other's throat instead of focusing on the actual threat. It's frustrating to see people and institutions getting so hung up on the (comparatively) small mistakes and missteps of like-minded forces, instead of trying to refute and stand up against (Far) Right ideas and implementations.
4) Maybe not all sacrifices are worth it in the end.
Once thing that I found oddly refreshing about Long Walk To Freedom is that Mandela doesn't hold back on all of the personal sacrifices that he (and his family, and his friends, and his nation) had to make during all of these years ... and how saddened (at least in some ways) he was left by all of it. Even though I, of course, knew that Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, reading about it firsthand made me truly realise that the horror of it all, not just the humiliations and frustrations of everyday prison life, also the fact that he couldn't bury his own mother ("Not being able to bury my mother added to my grief, as it would have been my duty as the eldest child and only son."), not being able to see your children growing up and therefore losing your connection to them,
"We thought we had a father, and one day he had come home. But to our disappointment, our father came home and left us alone because he had now become the father of the nation." Being the father of a nation is a great honor, but being the father of a family is a greater joy. Yet it was a joy I had felt far too little of.and in general feeling overburdened by the weight on your shoulders as an entire nation relied on your services. Even though Mandela grants us these glimpses into his inner thoughts, one is still left wondering how big of a toll all of these sacrifices and horrible injustices took on him and his mental health. Mandela doesn't fully open up about his traumas (which is perfectly fine, he doesn't have to), but it isn't hard to imagine that the path he (had to) cho(o)se left some deep scars.
5) A system of oppression cannot be reformed; it must be abolished.
Recently, I have come more and more to the conclusion that certain institutions simply need to be defunded, disestablished and abolished. Mandela's Long Walk To Freedom, Davis' Are Prisons Obsolete? and all the discussions that I've had over the past summer, reinforced my belief that some institutions are past the point of repair. Reforming, altering and changing them won't do any good (especially not in the long run) for the marginalised people that are oppressed by them.
"Who will deny that thirty years of my life have been spent knocking in vain, patiently, moderately, and modestly at a closed and barred door? What have been the fruits of moderation? The past thirty years have seen the greatest number of laws restricting our rights and progress, until today we have reached a stage where we have almost no rights at all." 鈥� Albert Luthuli (President of the ANC)History has taught us that we need to approach these issues, not in terms of what is possible within the framework of a given structure or system, but rather in view of what should be made possible in terms of human rights and demands. There is no use in maintaining a racist/ homophobic/ sexist/ ableist/ you-name-it status quo. We need to threaten these existing structures, as they are the root of the issue. Challenging existing power relations and paving the way for more revolutionary changes in our societies are necessary if we want to bring about lasting change and create a socially just and environmentally sustainable world. Marginalised people, especially, cannot (and should not) remain passive agents in that process, we must push for that transformation by being active and mobilising for a better way to organise our world. The fight is not finished. There's lots that remains to be done.
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended."
October 24, 2021
A hero who fought till he succeeded.
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December 7, 2017
"賱賯丿 噩乇賾丿鬲 賳賮爻賷 胤賵賱 丨賷丕鬲賷 賱賱賳囟丕賱 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱卮毓亘 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷貙 賱賯丿 賰丕賮丨鬲 囟丿 賴賷賲賳丞 丕賱亘賷囟 賰賲丕 賰丕賮丨鬲 囟丿 賴賷賲賳丞 丕賱爻賵丿. 賱賯丿 毓卮鬲 鬲賵丕賯賸丕 廿賱賶 賲噩鬲賲毓 丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷 丨乇賾貙 賷毓賷卮 賮賷賴 丕賱噩賲賷毓 賮賷 賵卅丕賲 賵賲爻丕賵丕丞. 廿賳賾賴 賴丿賮 兀乇噩賵 兀賳 兀毓賷卮 賱賴 賵兀賳 兀丨賯賯賴. 賵賴賵 丕賱賴丿賮 丕賱匕賷 爻兀賲賵鬲 賲賳 兀噩賱賴 廿賳 賱賲 賷賰賳 賲賳 匕賱賰 亘丿賾."
賷兀鬲賵賳 賲賳 亘毓賷丿 賱賷丨鬲賱賾賵丕 兀乇囟 睾賷乇賴賲 賵賷爻乇賯賵丕 孬乇賵丕鬲賴丕貙 賵賷噩乇賾賲賵賳 卮毓亘賴丕 賵賷爻鬲毓亘丿賵賳賴貙 賵賷毓丕賲賱賵賳賴 亘賯爻賵丞 賵賵丨卮賷丞 賵毓賳氐乇賷丞. 賵賲賳 賷賯賵賲 賲賳 鬲賱賰 丕賱卮毓賵亘 亘丕賱賲胤丕賱亘丞 亘兀丿賳賶 丨賯賵賯賴賲貙 賷夭噩賾賵賳賴賲 賮賷 丕賱爻噩賵賳! 賱賰賳 賱丕 亘購丿賾 賱賱賯賷丿 兀賳 賷賳賰爻乇 賵賱丕 亘購丿 賱賱賷賱 丕賱馗賱丕賲 賵丕賱馗賱賲 賵丕賱毓亘賵丿賷丞 兀賳 賷賳噩賱賷. 賵賴丕 賴賵 賳賷爻賱賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵乇賮丕賯賴 賷囟乇亘賵賳 兀毓馗賲 丕賱兀賲孬賱丞 賮賷 丕賱賵賯賵賮 賮賷 賵噩賴 丕賱鬲賲賷賷夭 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 賵賲丨丕乇亘丞 賰賱 兀卮賰丕賱 丕賱馗賱賲 賵丕賱丕爻鬲亘丿丕丿. 賵爻賷爻噩賾賱 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺 兀爻賲丕亍 賰賱 丕賱兀丨乇丕乇 丕賱匕賷賳 賵賯賮賵丕 賮賷 賵噩賴 丕賱賲爻鬲毓賲乇賷賳 丕賱睾丕氐亘賷賳 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷賷賳 亘兀丨乇賮 賲賳 匕賴亘貙 賵爻賷匕賴亘 兀賵賱卅賰 丕賱睾丕氐亘賷賳 廿賱賶 賲夭亘賱丞 丕賱鬲丕乇賷禺.
"賱賯丿 卮毓乇鬲 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱賱丨馗丞 丕賱鬲賷 毓亘乇鬲 賮賷賴丕 亘賵丕亘丞 丕賱爻噩賳 兀賳賳賷 賮賷 丕賱賵丕丨丿丞 賵丕賱爻亘毓賷賳 賲賳 毓賲乇賷 兀亘丿兀 丨賷丕鬲賷 賲賳 噩丿賷丿貙 賵賰丕賳鬲 鬲賱賰 賳賴丕賷丞 毓卮乇丞 丌賱丕賮 賷賵賲 賮賷 丕賱爻噩賳"
-賱丨馗丞 禺乇賵噩 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳 丕賱爻噩賳貙 亘毓丿 27 毓丕賲賸丕 賯囟丕賴丕 賵乇丕亍 丕賱賯囟亘丕賳
鬲賴乇亘 賲賳賷 賰賱 丕賱賰賱賲丕鬲 丨賷賳 兀乇賷丿 丕賱鬲毓亘賷乇 毓賳 爻賷乇 丕賱乇噩丕賱 丕賱毓馗丕賲貙 賮賮賷賴丕 賲賳 賯賵丞 丕賱廿賷賲丕賳 亘丕賱兀賴丿丕賮貙 賵賮賷賴丕 賲賳 丕賱鬲兀孬賷乇 賵丕賱賲毓丕賳丕丞 賵丕賱胤賲賵丨 賲丕 賷賮賵賯 賰賱 賵氐賮.
賱乇賵丨賰 丕賱爻賱丕賲 亘丕亘丕 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕
賵賱兀乇賵丕丨 噩賲賷毓 丕賱毓馗丕賲 丕賱爻賱丕賲.
...
March 9, 2024
The Diverse Baseline
April Prompt C: A book by a BIPOC author about colonization
The star rating is for the story, and in no way indicative of how I feel about Nelson Mandela, and the work he did to end apartheid in South Africa. Had this been more about his presidency and politics, I think I would've liked it more. While his twenty seven year imprisonment is nothing to scoff at, I found at times it dragged. This just goes to show you the law is not always correct, and we must continue to fight for social justice as we see wrongdoings. Free Palestine.
April Prompt C: A book by a BIPOC author about colonization
The star rating is for the story, and in no way indicative of how I feel about Nelson Mandela, and the work he did to end apartheid in South Africa. Had this been more about his presidency and politics, I think I would've liked it more. While his twenty seven year imprisonment is nothing to scoff at, I found at times it dragged. This just goes to show you the law is not always correct, and we must continue to fight for social justice as we see wrongdoings. Free Palestine.
December 6, 2013
(廿賳賳賷 賮賷 賯乇丕乇丞 賳賮爻賷 廿賳爻丕賳 賲鬲賮丕卅賱, 賵廿賳 賰賳鬲 賱丕 兀丿乇賷 廿賳 賰丕賳 匕賱賰 賮賷 胤亘賷毓鬲賷 兀賲 賮賷 胤亘毓賷, 賵賲賳 毓賱丕賲丕鬲 丕賱鬲賮丕丐賱 兀賳 賷丨丕賮馗 丕賱賲乇亍 毓賱賶 乇兀爻賴 賲乇賮賵毓丕 賳丨賵 丕賱爻賲丕亍, 賵兀賳 鬲賰賵賳 禺胤丕賴 賲鬲噩賴丞 廿賱賶 丕賱兀賲丕賲, 賱賯丿 賲乇鬲 亘賷 賱丨馗丕鬲 毓丿賷丿丞 丕賴鬲夭鬲 禺賱丕賱賴丕 孬賯鬲賷 亘丕賱廿賳爻丕賳賷丞, 賵賱賰賳賳賷 賱賲 賵賱賳 兀爻鬲爻賱賲 賱賱賷兀爻 賮匕賱賰 賴賵 丕賱爻亘賷賱 廿賱賶 丕賱廿禺賮丕賯 賵丕賱賲賵鬲 丕賱賲丨賯賯).
丕毓鬲賯丿 丕賳 賯賳丕毓丕鬲 賴匕丕 丕賱乇噩賱 賵 丕賷賲丕賳賴 亘賮賰乇鬲賴 賰丕賳 賲氐丿乇 賯賵鬲賴 丕賱丨賯賷賯賶 賵 賱丕 賷爻毓賳賶 丕賱丕 丕賳 丕賯賵賱 賰賲 丕賳鬲 毓馗賷賲 賷丕 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵 賯丿 氐丕乇 賰鬲丕亘賰 賴匕丕 氐丿賷賯賶 賱賱丕亘丿
July 3, 2013
Where does one start with this? The story of freedom fighter, head of state, and world leader, Nelson Mandela--a book that spans his childhood, years spent in prison, and subsequent election as president. I grew up constantly reminded that a man, this man, was seated somewhere in South Africa in a prison cell, fighting for freedom for an entire nation and group of people.
The former president started this manuscript while in prison (sometime around 1974) and concocted a plan to have the original manuscript snuck out of prison (which ended up being a smart plan since prison guards confiscated what they thought was the original manuscript). The book is long and quite detailed (at times wordy), with extra care paid to conversations and political names and roles, travels Mandela had with political heads of state, the making of the political group The ANC, the start of the movement to denounce apartheid, and a detailed family tree in the beginning.
It is a book you usually see written by a biographer (like this one written about Warren Buffet: Instead, the former president wrote this one himself, taking careful pains to even talk about his childhood school and upbringing (another thing you normally see omitted from autobiographies, and sometimes biographies). Excerpts from this book could be studied in history and literature classes.
It is a poignant read written in classic autobiography style, with a strong "voice," one that has serious life lessons and inspiration for anybody at any stage of life.
The best way I can discuss this book is by talking about the highlights of each of its eleven parts:
Part 1: This is about Mr. Mandela's childhood in the country. He talks about his family tree. His family came from the royal household of the Thembu tribe: his father was an adviser to kings, and a wealthy nobleman who lost his holdings when he was fired by a magistrate from England--even though he believed that he only answered to Thembu custom and not "by the laws of the king of England." The Mandela family chieftainship was then ended. His father died when he was young and his mother handed him over to a Xhosa chief named Jongubtaba, who had offered to be his guardian.
Part 2: Mandela escapes the chief's house (along with the chief's biological son) when he learns that marriage, and a set lifestyle that included rules and no personal freedom, had been arranged for them ("My head told me it was the right of every man to plan his own future as he pleased and choose his role in life.") He escaped to Johannesburg, where he worked as a night watchman and later as a law clerk as he completed his law degree ("my performance as a law student was dismal").
Part 3: Nelson Mandela as a freedom fighter. This section goes into details about the startup of the ANC, dispelling some myths. He also talks about his first wife, Evelyn Mase. The most profound and telling statement from this section (and arguably, the book) is this one:
"I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments, produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which I said, From henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my people; instead, I simply found myself doing so, and could not do otherwise. "
Part 4: This section details the beginning of the struggle. During this time, President Mandela opened his law firm. He talks about being harrassed in court by judges and attorneys, about being served an order from the police that would legally ban him from the ANC at age thirty-five.
Part 5: Mandela discusses his first divorce and his second marriage, as well as prison life. This is where the female contribution to the apartheid struggle is introduced: "...when the women begin to take an active part in the struggle, no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime." I enjoyed seeing the admiration he had for his second wife, Winnie Madikizela, pour through in this section.
Part 6: The part that stood out for me in this section: his travels to West Africa where the anti-apartheid movement received financial and moral support from West African heads of state in Liberia, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, etc. This is also the section where he discusses the violence that had increased in African townships and the decision the ANC made to add guerrilla fighters to the resistance (MK).
Part 7: After living underground for seventeen months, President Mandela was arrested for "inciting African workers to strike and for leaving the country without valid travel documents" (1962). At first he was given five years. Later, someone from his organization (the guerrilla MK) would become a snitch for the police and a few executives from the organization, including Mandela, would be jailed for years.
Part 8: This was a heart-wrenching section. He talks about the dark years on Robben Island: "I could walk the length of my cell in three paces. When I lay down, I could feel the wall with my feet and my head grazed the concrete at the other side....I was forty-six years old, a political prisoner with a life sentence." He was entitled to have only one visitor and receive one letter within a six month timeframe. During this time, his wife was being harassed, jailed, interrogated, held in solitary confinement, and he wondered, "What were the authorities doing to my wife? How would she bear up? Who was looking after our daughters? Who would pay the bills?"
Part 9: Mr. Mandela's role as an underground leader was finally visible to the public. Keep in mind, when he was first jailed, people had no idea how he looked like because pictures were banned and the prisoners even had to steal newspapers which were considered contraband. Negotiations had started and this is also when he started to write this book, "I adopted a rather unorthodox work schedule: I would write most of the night and sleep during the day." He also mentioned a student boycott in this section that was mentioned in
Part 10: Serious negotiations with the government and the incoming president, De Klerk. This section showcased one of Mr. Mandela's strengths: inclusiveness. He even stated that he wasn't in favor of having his white brothers leave, he just wanted his black brothers to have rights to their country. Pivotal moment I think, especially if you've read a lot of books on post colonialism.
Part 11: Freedom, separation from his wife, details of diplomatic meetings. This section is an invigorating read as President Mandela describes the crowds upon his release, his meetings with old friends, etc. One great moment was his reminder of seeing Mrs. King seated on the stage when he gave his first speech after being released: "Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the wife of the great freedom fighter Martin Luther King Jr.. was on the podium that night, and I looked over to her as I made my reference to her husband's immortal words..." Breathtaking moment. It made me want to re-read a few of the biographies I've read on Dr. King.
"I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free." -Nelson Mandela
The former president started this manuscript while in prison (sometime around 1974) and concocted a plan to have the original manuscript snuck out of prison (which ended up being a smart plan since prison guards confiscated what they thought was the original manuscript). The book is long and quite detailed (at times wordy), with extra care paid to conversations and political names and roles, travels Mandela had with political heads of state, the making of the political group The ANC, the start of the movement to denounce apartheid, and a detailed family tree in the beginning.
It is a book you usually see written by a biographer (like this one written about Warren Buffet: Instead, the former president wrote this one himself, taking careful pains to even talk about his childhood school and upbringing (another thing you normally see omitted from autobiographies, and sometimes biographies). Excerpts from this book could be studied in history and literature classes.
It is a poignant read written in classic autobiography style, with a strong "voice," one that has serious life lessons and inspiration for anybody at any stage of life.
The best way I can discuss this book is by talking about the highlights of each of its eleven parts:
Part 1: This is about Mr. Mandela's childhood in the country. He talks about his family tree. His family came from the royal household of the Thembu tribe: his father was an adviser to kings, and a wealthy nobleman who lost his holdings when he was fired by a magistrate from England--even though he believed that he only answered to Thembu custom and not "by the laws of the king of England." The Mandela family chieftainship was then ended. His father died when he was young and his mother handed him over to a Xhosa chief named Jongubtaba, who had offered to be his guardian.
Part 2: Mandela escapes the chief's house (along with the chief's biological son) when he learns that marriage, and a set lifestyle that included rules and no personal freedom, had been arranged for them ("My head told me it was the right of every man to plan his own future as he pleased and choose his role in life.") He escaped to Johannesburg, where he worked as a night watchman and later as a law clerk as he completed his law degree ("my performance as a law student was dismal").
Part 3: Nelson Mandela as a freedom fighter. This section goes into details about the startup of the ANC, dispelling some myths. He also talks about his first wife, Evelyn Mase. The most profound and telling statement from this section (and arguably, the book) is this one:
"I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments, produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which I said, From henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my people; instead, I simply found myself doing so, and could not do otherwise. "
Part 4: This section details the beginning of the struggle. During this time, President Mandela opened his law firm. He talks about being harrassed in court by judges and attorneys, about being served an order from the police that would legally ban him from the ANC at age thirty-five.
Part 5: Mandela discusses his first divorce and his second marriage, as well as prison life. This is where the female contribution to the apartheid struggle is introduced: "...when the women begin to take an active part in the struggle, no power on earth can stop us from achieving freedom in our lifetime." I enjoyed seeing the admiration he had for his second wife, Winnie Madikizela, pour through in this section.
Part 6: The part that stood out for me in this section: his travels to West Africa where the anti-apartheid movement received financial and moral support from West African heads of state in Liberia, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, etc. This is also the section where he discusses the violence that had increased in African townships and the decision the ANC made to add guerrilla fighters to the resistance (MK).
Part 7: After living underground for seventeen months, President Mandela was arrested for "inciting African workers to strike and for leaving the country without valid travel documents" (1962). At first he was given five years. Later, someone from his organization (the guerrilla MK) would become a snitch for the police and a few executives from the organization, including Mandela, would be jailed for years.
Part 8: This was a heart-wrenching section. He talks about the dark years on Robben Island: "I could walk the length of my cell in three paces. When I lay down, I could feel the wall with my feet and my head grazed the concrete at the other side....I was forty-six years old, a political prisoner with a life sentence." He was entitled to have only one visitor and receive one letter within a six month timeframe. During this time, his wife was being harassed, jailed, interrogated, held in solitary confinement, and he wondered, "What were the authorities doing to my wife? How would she bear up? Who was looking after our daughters? Who would pay the bills?"
Part 9: Mr. Mandela's role as an underground leader was finally visible to the public. Keep in mind, when he was first jailed, people had no idea how he looked like because pictures were banned and the prisoners even had to steal newspapers which were considered contraband. Negotiations had started and this is also when he started to write this book, "I adopted a rather unorthodox work schedule: I would write most of the night and sleep during the day." He also mentioned a student boycott in this section that was mentioned in
Part 10: Serious negotiations with the government and the incoming president, De Klerk. This section showcased one of Mr. Mandela's strengths: inclusiveness. He even stated that he wasn't in favor of having his white brothers leave, he just wanted his black brothers to have rights to their country. Pivotal moment I think, especially if you've read a lot of books on post colonialism.
Part 11: Freedom, separation from his wife, details of diplomatic meetings. This section is an invigorating read as President Mandela describes the crowds upon his release, his meetings with old friends, etc. One great moment was his reminder of seeing Mrs. King seated on the stage when he gave his first speech after being released: "Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the wife of the great freedom fighter Martin Luther King Jr.. was on the podium that night, and I looked over to her as I made my reference to her husband's immortal words..." Breathtaking moment. It made me want to re-read a few of the biographies I've read on Dr. King.
"I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free." -Nelson Mandela
September 1, 2021
I particularly like Mandela鈥檚 description of his twenty-seven years in prison. You get a real sense of what he has gone through. He does not dramatize, and he has never a pity me attitude. He kept a diary.
The telling is detailed but clear and understandable. Acronyms are sufficiently clarified. One need not be an expert to follow the text. I do wish that the year events take place had more often been stated. I also wish a map of the South African provinces and townships had been provided in a PDF.
Mandela does not emphasize the personal or his emotions. What is delivered is his life story as well as that of his nation. It concludes with his 1994 inauguration as president of the first democratic non-racial government of South Africa. At the close, the reader truly understands that which has been achieved!
Michael Boatman鈥檚 narration of the audiobook is exemplary. The narration I have given five stars. Every word is clearly spoken, and the pacing is perfect.
The book is not dry. It keeps your attention all the way through. I thought when I started, that it being so long, I might get bored. This did not happen! I highly recommend it.
The telling is detailed but clear and understandable. Acronyms are sufficiently clarified. One need not be an expert to follow the text. I do wish that the year events take place had more often been stated. I also wish a map of the South African provinces and townships had been provided in a PDF.
Mandela does not emphasize the personal or his emotions. What is delivered is his life story as well as that of his nation. It concludes with his 1994 inauguration as president of the first democratic non-racial government of South Africa. At the close, the reader truly understands that which has been achieved!
Michael Boatman鈥檚 narration of the audiobook is exemplary. The narration I have given five stars. Every word is clearly spoken, and the pacing is perfect.
The book is not dry. It keeps your attention all the way through. I thought when I started, that it being so long, I might get bored. This did not happen! I highly recommend it.
Read
June 6, 2016亘乇丕蹖 賲賳 賱丨馗賴 賲卮禺氐蹖 亘乇丕蹖 讴卮賮 丨賯蹖賯鬲 賳亘賵丿賴 賵 賴蹖趩 趩蹖夭 亘禺氐賵氐蹖 賳丕诏賴丕賳 丕賱賴丕賲 亘禺卮 賲賳 賳卮丿賴貙 亘賱讴賴 賮賯胤 賲噩賲賵毓賴 丕蹖 賲賳馗賲 丕夭 賴夭丕乇丕賳 賲賵乇丿 亘蹖 丨乇賲鬲蹖貙 賴夭丕乇丕賳 賲賵乇丿 禺乇丿 卮丿賳 卮禺氐蹖鬲 賵 賴夭丕乇丕賳 賲賵乇丿 賱丨馗賴 丕夭 蹖丕丿 乇賮鬲賴 賲乇丕 亘賴 禺卮賲 賲蹖 丌賵乇丿貙 卮賵乇卮蹖 賲蹖 讴乇丿 賵 丕蹖賳 禺賵丕爻鬲賴 乇丕 丿乇 賲賳 鬲賯賵蹖鬲 賲蹖 讴乇丿 讴賴 亘丕 爻蹖爻鬲賲蹖 讴賴 賲乇丿賲 賲乇丕 丕爻蹖乇 禺賵丿 讴乇丿賴 賲亘丕乇夭賴 讴賳賲.
賴蹖趩 乇賵夭 亘禺氐賵氐蹖 賵噩賵丿 賳丿丕卮鬲賴 讴賴 丿乇 丌賳 乇賵夭 诏賮鬲賴 亘丕卮賲 丕夭 丕賲乇賵夭 亘賴 亘毓丿 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 賵賯賮 丌夭丕丿蹖 賲乇丿賲 賲蹖 讴賳賲貙 亘賱讴賴 賮賯胤 倬蹖 亘乇丿賲 讴賴 丿乇 丨丕賱 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴爻鬲賲 賵 噩夭 丕蹖賳 賳賲蹖 鬲賵丕賳賲 讴丕乇 丿蹖诏乇蹖 丕賳噩丕賲 丿賴賲...!
賴蹖趩 乇賵夭 亘禺氐賵氐蹖 賵噩賵丿 賳丿丕卮鬲賴 讴賴 丿乇 丌賳 乇賵夭 诏賮鬲賴 亘丕卮賲 丕夭 丕賲乇賵夭 亘賴 亘毓丿 夭賳丿诏蹖 禺賵丿 乇丕 賵賯賮 丌夭丕丿蹖 賲乇丿賲 賲蹖 讴賳賲貙 亘賱讴賴 賮賯胤 倬蹖 亘乇丿賲 讴賴 丿乇 丨丕賱 賲亘丕乇夭賴 賴爻鬲賲 賵 噩夭 丕蹖賳 賳賲蹖 鬲賵丕賳賲 讴丕乇 丿蹖诏乇蹖 丕賳噩丕賲 丿賴賲...!
September 2, 2020
丿乇 禺蹖丕亘丕賳 賲鬲賵噩賴 夭賳 爻賮蹖丿倬賵爻鬲蹖 丿乇 噩賵蹖 賮丕囟賱丕亘 卮丿賲 讴賴 丕爻鬲禺賵丕賳 賴丕蹖 亘丕賯蹖 賲丕賳丿賴 丕夭 蹖讴 賲丕賴蹖 乇丕 賲蹖 禺賵乇丿. 丕賵 賮賯蹖乇 賵 馗丕賴乇丕 亘蹖 禺丕賳賲丕賳 亘賵丿貙 丕賲丕 噩賵丕賳 賵 夭蹖亘丕 亘賵丿. 丿乇 丨丕賱蹖 讴賴 賲賳 賲毓賲賵賱丕 亘賴 诏丿丕賴丕蹖 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖蹖 倬賵賱蹖 賳賲蹖 丿賴賲貙 丕賲丕 丕丨爻丕爻 讴乇丿賲 亘丕蹖丿 亘賴 丕蹖賳 夭賳 讴賲讴 讴賳賲. 丿乇 丌賳 賱丨馗賴 賲賳 賲鬲賵噩賴 賳蹖乇賳诏 丿蹖诏乇 丌倬丕乇鬲丕蹖丿 卮丿賲 讴賴 賲卮賯鬲 賴丕 賵 乇賳噩 賴丕蹖蹖 乇丕 讴賴 賴乇 乇賵夭 诏乇蹖亘丕賳 诏蹖乇 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖蹖 賴丕爻鬲貙 亘毓賳賵丕賳 賵丕賯毓蹖鬲蹖 倬匕蹖乇賮鬲賳蹖 噩賱賵賴 賲蹖 丿賴丿. 丿乇 丌賮乇蹖賯丕蹖 噩賳賵亘蹖 賮賯蹖乇 亘賵丿賳 賵 爻蹖丕賴 亘賵丿賳 丕賲乇蹖 毓丕丿蹖 丕爻鬲貙 丕賲丕 賮賯蹖乇 亘賵丿賳 賵 爻賮蹖丿 亘賵丿賳 鬲乇丕跇丿蹖 丕爻鬲.
February 27, 2017
Long Walk to Freedom is the first book I've read by the leader of a country containing instructions on how to overthrow a country.
Mandela is serious about this. He mentions that when his African National Congress decided to commit to violence, they read "works by and about Che Guevara, Mao Tse-tung, Fidel Castro" to figure out how to do it. The phrase "A freedom fighter must..." recurs. He means this to be read by freedom fighters. This book is many things, but maybe the most important thing is a manual for revolution.
It's also a defense of Mandela's legacy, and that part is interesting too. Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, which seemed odd to everyone since he has not advocated peace. "I called for nonviolent protest for as long as it was effective," he says. When it was ineffective, "I was candid and explained why I believed we had no choice but to turn to violence." He lays out the "four types of violent activities," which should be undertaken in order: "sabotage, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and open revolution." The ANC never moved beyond sabotage, but he says clearly: "we were prepared to move on to the next stage: guerrilla warfare and terrorism." So maybe I shouldn't say defense. It's a clarification.
This sets us up for the most dramatic scene in the book, and one of the most dramatic in history: the Rivonia Trial in 1964, in which Mandela and several others were sentenced to life in prison for sabotage. This was a victory: death was on the table. Mandela chose not to defend himself; instead he delivered a statement about which his lawyers said, "If Mandela reads this in court they will take him out in back of the courthouse and string him up." Here's part of his statement:
You can actually hear part of this speech - skip to 2:10 if you're in a hurry. It's an incredible thing to listen to.
I grew up while Mandela was in prison, and apartheid in South Africa was the first injustice I was aware of. My first experience with activism, in Amherst MA with the mighty activist was running around town putting up posters with Mandela's face on them. Mandela screwed up my hair: in high school my mom wouldn't let me grow it long until I claimed that I wasn't cutting it until Mandela was freed, which she felt she couldn't argue with. They freed him like six months later and I was like aw, man. It seemed like a foolproof plan! I got to see him speak shortly afterwards in Boston on his freedom tour, but I didn't have a chance to tell him about my hair.
This is all to say that reading this book was a powerful experience for me. Mandela is one of history's true heroes of freedom. To be able to read his words is special and of immense value. I got actual chills at times, reading about how (for example) he refused to be freed if it meant compromising his movement. He was in jail for nearly 30 years. This isn't one of those books that makes you realize that the writer is just a person like you and me. Mandela was not like you and me. He was a titan.
Mandela is serious about this. He mentions that when his African National Congress decided to commit to violence, they read "works by and about Che Guevara, Mao Tse-tung, Fidel Castro" to figure out how to do it. The phrase "A freedom fighter must..." recurs. He means this to be read by freedom fighters. This book is many things, but maybe the most important thing is a manual for revolution.
It's also a defense of Mandela's legacy, and that part is interesting too. Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, which seemed odd to everyone since he has not advocated peace. "I called for nonviolent protest for as long as it was effective," he says. When it was ineffective, "I was candid and explained why I believed we had no choice but to turn to violence." He lays out the "four types of violent activities," which should be undertaken in order: "sabotage, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and open revolution." The ANC never moved beyond sabotage, but he says clearly: "we were prepared to move on to the next stage: guerrilla warfare and terrorism." So maybe I shouldn't say defense. It's a clarification.
This sets us up for the most dramatic scene in the book, and one of the most dramatic in history: the Rivonia Trial in 1964, in which Mandela and several others were sentenced to life in prison for sabotage. This was a victory: death was on the table. Mandela chose not to defend himself; instead he delivered a statement about which his lawyers said, "If Mandela reads this in court they will take him out in back of the courthouse and string him up." Here's part of his statement:
I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence, I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation after many years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people by whites.
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
You can actually hear part of this speech - skip to 2:10 if you're in a hurry. It's an incredible thing to listen to.
I grew up while Mandela was in prison, and apartheid in South Africa was the first injustice I was aware of. My first experience with activism, in Amherst MA with the mighty activist was running around town putting up posters with Mandela's face on them. Mandela screwed up my hair: in high school my mom wouldn't let me grow it long until I claimed that I wasn't cutting it until Mandela was freed, which she felt she couldn't argue with. They freed him like six months later and I was like aw, man. It seemed like a foolproof plan! I got to see him speak shortly afterwards in Boston on his freedom tour, but I didn't have a chance to tell him about my hair.
This is all to say that reading this book was a powerful experience for me. Mandela is one of history's true heroes of freedom. To be able to read his words is special and of immense value. I got actual chills at times, reading about how (for example) he refused to be freed if it meant compromising his movement. He was in jail for nearly 30 years. This isn't one of those books that makes you realize that the writer is just a person like you and me. Mandela was not like you and me. He was a titan.
December 8, 2011
賲賳 兀丨賱賶 賰鬲亘 丕賱爻賷乇 丕賱匕丕鬲賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 賯乇兀鬲賴丕貙 賵兀賰孬乇賴丕 氐賱丞 亘賳囟丕賱賳丕 賮賷 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 賵丕賱丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞. 鬲亘丿兀 賲毓 胤賮賵賱丞 丕賱賲鬲賳丕囟賱 丕賱兀賮乇賷賯賷 丕賱兀卮賴乇 賳賷賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕貙 賵鬲賳鬲賴賷 亘鬲賵賱賷賴 丕賱乇卅丕爻丞 賮賷 亘賱丿賴貙 賱賰賳 賳賴丕賷丞 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賴賷 賮賷 丕賱丨賯賷賯賷丞 亘丿丕賷丞貙 賮賴賷 賵毓丿 亘丕爻鬲賰賲丕賱 胤乇賷賯 丕賱賳囟丕賱 丕賱胤賵賷賱 賳丨賵 丕賱丨乇賷丞..
賱賳 兀鬲丨丿孬 胤賵賷賱丕 毓賳 丕賱賰鬲丕亘貙 賱賰賳賷 爻兀賳賯賱 亘毓囟 丕賱毓亘丕乇丕鬲 賵丕賱賲賯丕胤毓 賲賳賴 丕賱鬲賷 兀乇丕賴丕 丕賱丕賴賲貙 兀賵 丕賱兀卮丿 氐賱丞 亘賵丕賯毓賳丕 丕賱毓乇亘賷貙 兀賵 -賵賴賵 丕賱兀睾賱亘- 丕賱賲賯丕胤毓 丕賱鬲賷 鬲丨賲賱 丕賮賰丕乇丕 丕爻鬲睾乇亘鬲 兀賳 鬲氐丿乇 毓賳 賲賳丕囟賱 賲孬賱賴貙 賵毓賱賶 爻亘賷賱 丕賱賲孬丕賱 禺賱丕賮賴 賲毓 亘毓囟 賲賳 賯丕丿丞 "丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇" 毓賱賶 賮賰乇丞 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱賲爻賱丨丞 賵丕賱毓賳賮.. 賵賮賷 匕賱賰 賷賯賵賱 賲賳丕丿賷賱丕 毓賳 賮鬲乇丞 亘丿丕賷丞 賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱兀亘丕乇鬲丕賷丿 賮賷 噩賵亘 丕賮乇賷賯賷丕:
賵賮賷 賲賵賯賮 丌禺乇 賷賯賵賱:
賵賴賷 賮賰乇丞 卮噩丕毓丞 賲賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕貙 賵賱賴丕 賲賳胤賯 賵噩賷賴貙 賱賰賳賴丕 賲禺賷賮丞貙 賵丨鬲賲丕 賰丕賳鬲 丕賱爻亘亘 賵乇丕亍 丕賱毓丿賷丿 賲賳 兀丨丿丕孬 丕賱毓賳賮 丕賱丿賲賵賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷爻乇丿賴丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賮賷賲丕 亘毓丿貙 賵廿賳 賰丕賳 丕賱亘丕丿卅 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱丨丕賱丕鬲 賰丕賳 睾丕賱亘丕 爻賱胤丕鬲 丕賱丿賵賱丞 丕賱賯賲毓賷丞.
賱賰賳賷 丕鬲爻丕亍賱.. 賲丕匕丕 賱賵 賰丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賯丿 鬲毓丕賲賱 賲毓 賯囟賷鬲賴 亘爻賱賲賷丞 睾丕賳丿賷貙 賴賱 賰丕賳鬲 爻鬲噩丿賷責 賴賱 賰丕賳 丕賱賲氐賷乇 爻賷禺鬲賱賮責
賵賲毓 匕賱賰 賮廿賳 丕賱賱噩賵亍 廿賱賶 丕賱毓賳賮 賰丕賳 丕賱丨賱 丕賱兀禺賷乇 丕賱匕賷 丕囟胤乇 廿賱賷賴 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇貙 亘毓丿 賲丨丕賵賱丕鬲 賲爻鬲賲乇丞 賱丨賱 丕賱賯囟賷丞 爻賱賲賷丕 賮卮賱鬲 噩賲賷毓賴丕 賱鬲毓賳鬲 丕賱爻賱胤丞 賮賷 丕賱鬲毓丕賲賱 賲毓 丕賱爻賰丕賳 丕賱兀氐賱賷賷賳 賵丕賱賲賳馗賲丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賲孬賱賴賲.
毓賱賶 兀賳 爻賳賵丕鬲 丕賱爻噩賳 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賯丕乇亘 丕賱孬賱丕孬賷賳 賯丿 氐賯賱鬲 賮賰乇 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕貙 賵賯丿 鬲胤賵乇鬲 丌乇丕卅賴 亘卮賰賱 賰亘賷乇貙 廿匕 丕賰鬲卮賮 賱丕丨賯丕賸 丕賳賴 兀丨賷丕賳丕賸 賲丕 鬲賰賵賳 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 賴賷 丕賱丨賱 賱賱禺乇賵噩 賲賳 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞貙 亘丿賱丕 毓賳 氐乇丕丨 胤賵賷賱 丕賱兀噩賱 賷爻鬲賳賮匕 丕賱胤丕賯丕鬲 亘賱丕 噩丿賵賶 丨賯賷賯賷丞.. 賵賰丕賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賮賰乇丞 賲賳 丕賱賲賮丕噩丌鬲 亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賷 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘.. 賮賱賲 丕鬲氐賵乇 賲賳丕丿賷賱丕 賰賲賮賵丕囟貙 亘賱 賰賲賳丕囟賱貙 賵賱賲 兀賰賳 兀毓乇賮 兀賳賴 卮丕乇賰 賮賷 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 胤賵賷賱 丕賱兀賲丿 廿賱賶 禺匕丕 丕賱丨丿..
毓賱賶 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 馗賱 乇丕賮囟丕賸 賱賵賯賮 丕賱毓賳賮 囟丿 丕賱爻賱胤丞貙 胤丕賱賲丕 丕賯鬲賳毓 丕賳 丕賱爻胤賱丞 賱賳 鬲賳賮匕 鬲毓賴丿丕鬲賴丕.. 賵賰丕賳 賲氐乇丕 毓賱賶 兀賳 賷乇鬲亘胤 賵賯賮 丕賱毓賳賮 亘鬲賳賮賷匕 禺胤賵丕鬲 噩丿賷丞 賲賳 噩丕賳亘 丕賱爻賱胤丞.. 丨賷孬 賱賲 賷賰賳 鬲胤賵乇 賮賰乇 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵賯亘賵賱賴 亘丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 亘丿賷賱丕 毓賳 丕賱賳囟丕賱 毓賱賶 丕賱兀乇囟貙 賱丕爻賷賲丕 毓賳丿 丕賱賳馗乇 廿賱賶 賴匕丕 丕賱賳囟丕賱貙 賱賷爻 賰胤乇賷賯丞 賱賱丨賱貙 亘賱 賰賵乇賯丞 賲賳 兀賵乇丕賯 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丞.
賵賮賷 匕賱賰 賷賯賵賱:
賰賲丕 賷丐賰丿 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 毓賱賶 兀賳 丕賱兀賵賱賵賷丞 賱賱丨賱賵賱 丕賱爻賱賲賷丞貙 賮丨鬲賶 丕賱毓賳賮 賱賲 賷賱噩兀 廿賱賷賴 廿賱丕 賰丨賱 兀禺賷乇:
賵賱賳鬲兀賲賱 賴匕丕 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱匕賷 賷賯賵賱賴 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賴賳丕 (賵賰丕賳 匕賱賰 賮賷 賲賳丕爻亘丞 丕賳囟賲丕賲 丕卮禺丕氐 噩丿丿 賱賱賲丐鬲賲乇貙 賲毓 賲賱丕丨馗丞 丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賲 賷賰賳 賯丿 鬲毓乇囟 賱賱爻噩賳 亘毓丿):
兀賷 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賷乇亘胤 亘賷賳 丕賱丕孬賳賷賳貙 賵賱丕 賷乇賶 丕賱賰賮丕丨 丕賱賲爻賱丨 睾丕賷丞貙 亘賱 賵爻賷賱丞 賱賱賵氐賵賱 廿賱賶 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲貙 賮丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賴 賴賷 丕賱兀爻丕爻.
賵毓賳 乇兀賷賴 賮賷 兀爻丕賱賷亘 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丿丕禺賱 丕賱爻噩賳:
孬賲 賷毓賵丿 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賱鬲兀賰賷丿 毓賱賶 賳賯胤丞 賴丕賲丞 賮賷 丕賱賳囟丕賱 囟賲賳 賲噩賲賵毓丞.. 廿匕 乇睾賲 丕禺鬲賱丕賮 兀毓囟丕亍 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 毓賱賶 丕賱毓丿賷丿 賲賳 丕賱兀賮賰丕乇 廿賱丕 兀賳 丕賱賯乇丕乇 賲丕 廿賳 丕鬲禺匕 丨鬲賶 賷賱鬲夭賲 亘賴 丕賱噩賲賷毓.
孬賲 賷禺乇噩 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳鬲氐乇丕賸 賲賳 丕賱爻噩賳貙 賵鬲亘丿兀 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲賴 賲毓 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞貙 賵鬲馗賴乇 賲卮賰賱丞 噩丿賷丿丞..
賲賲丕 賷匕賰乇賳賷 亘賲乇丨賱丞 賲丕 亘毓丿 丕賱孬賵乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賲乇 亘賴丕 丿賵賱 丕賱乇亘賷毓 丕賱毓乇亘賷 兀賵 兀賷 丿賵賱丞 鬲禺乇噩 賲賳 丨丕賱丞 丨乇丕賰 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷 賰亘賷乇 毓賱賶 丕賱兀乇囟 囟丿 毓丿賵 賲卮鬲乇賰.
賵賯丿 鬲賵氐賱 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 廿賱賶 丨賱 鬲賱賰 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞 噩夭卅賷丕賸 賲賳 禺賱丕賱 賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 賵丕爻毓丞貙 賱賰賳 賱賲 鬲賰賳 鬲賱賰 賳賴丕賷丞 丕賱賲卮賰賱丕鬲..
賮賯丿 賳賰孬鬲 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 亘賵毓丿賴丕 賮賷 賲乇丨賱丞 賲丕貙 賵鬲爻亘亘鬲 賮賷 賲匕亘丨丞 賰亘賷乇丞貙 賵賯丕賲 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賷禺胤亘 賮賷 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賮賱丕丨馗 賲丕 賷賱賷:
賵賷賯氐丿 亘丕賱毓賲賱 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇賷 賴賳丕 丨乇賰丞 賵丕爻毓丞 賲賳 丕賱賲馗丕賴乇丕鬲 賵丕賱丕囟乇丕亘丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 賳馗賲賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賮賷 丕賱亘賱丕丿.
賵賲賳 丕賱賲孬賷乇 賱賱丕賴鬲賲丕賲 丨賯丕賸 丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 兀噩乇賶 毓丿丿 賲賳 丕賱丕噩鬲賲丕毓丕鬲 賲毓 賲爻丐賵賱賷 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 亘卮賰賱 爻乇賷貙 賵賱賲 賷賰賳 匕賱賰 禺丿丕毓丕 賱賱噩賲丕賴賷乇貙 賵賱賰賳 賱廿毓胤丕亍 丕賱賮乇氐丞 賱賱丨賰賵賲丞 賱賱鬲賮丕賵囟 丿賵賳 囟睾賵胤 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱毓丕賲 賱賱亘賷囟 丕賱匕賷賳 賰丕賳賵丕 賷乇賮囟賵賳 丕賱鬲賮丕賵囟 賲毓 丕賱兀賮丕乇賯丞.. 賮賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賰丕賳 賲賮丕賵囟丕 亘丕乇毓丕貙 賮囟賱 賲爻丕毓丿丞 丕賱禺氐賲 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱賵氐賵賱 廿賱賶 鬲爻賵賷丞 賲賯亘賵賱丞 賲賳 賰丕賮丞 丕賱兀胤乇丕賮 毓賱賶 兀賳 賷囟睾胤 毓賱賶 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 賲賳 丕噩賱 丕賱丿禺賵賱 賮賷 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 毓賱賳賷丞 鬲鬲賵賯賮 亘毓丿 賯賱賷賱 鬲丨鬲 囟睾胤 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱毓丕賲貙 賮鬲氐賱 丕賱亘賱丕丿 亘匕賱賰 廿賱賶 胤乇賷賯 賲爻丿賵丿..
賵賲賳 丕賱賱丕賮鬲 賱賱賳馗乇 賰匕賱賰 丕賱胤乇賷賯丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓丕賲賱 亘賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賲毓 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲貙 丕賱鬲賷 丿禺賱賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賱兀賵賱 賲乇丞 賰賲賳馗賲丞 卮乇毓賷丞.. 廿匕 賳馗賲 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 賵丕爻毓丞 賱鬲賵毓賷丞 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 "賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 丕賱卮毓亘"貙 賵氐丕睾 亘乇賳丕賲噩賴 亘卮賰賱 賲賮氐賱 賱賷卮乇丨 乇丐賷鬲賴貙 賱丕賮鬲丕賸 丕賱賳馗乇 廿賱賶 兀賳賴 賱丕 賷乇賷丿 賱賱賲丐鬲賲乇 兀賳 賷賰爻亘 鬲毓丕胤賮 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賵兀氐賵丕鬲賴賲 毓亘乇 鬲匕賰賷乇賴賲 亘賲丕 賯丿賲賴 賱賴賲 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱賳囟丕賱貙 賵賱賰賳 毓亘乇 胤乇丨 乇丐賷鬲賴 賱賱賲爻鬲賯亘賱貙 賮丕賱賳囟丕賱 賱丕 賷噩亘 賮賷 乇兀賷 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 兀賳 賷賰賵賳 丕賱廿賳噩丕夭 丕賱賵丨賷丿 丕賱匕賷 毓賱賶 丕爻丕爻賴 賷賰爻亘 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 兀氐賵丕鬲 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賵賷氐賱 廿賱賶 丕賱亘乇賱賲丕賳.
賰賲丕 賷賱賮鬲 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 丕賱兀賳馗丕乇 廿賱賶 兀賲乇 丌禺乇:
賵賮賷 丕賱禺丕鬲賲丞 丕賱賲丐孬乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 賰鬲亘賴丕 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳賴賷丕賸 亘賴丕 賯氐丞 氐乇丕毓 胤賵賷賱貙 賷賯賵賱:
丕賱丨賯 兀賳 賯氐丞 賰賮丕丨 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕貙 賵賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 鬲丨丿賷丿丕貙 賲賳 兀乇賵毓 賯氐氐 丕賱賰賮丕丨貙 鬲賰丕丿 鬲賰賵賳 兀爻胤賵乇賷丞貙 賵兀乇賶 賮賷賴丕 丕賱賰孬賷乇 賲賳 賲賱丕賲丨 丕賱乇亘賷毓 丕賱毓乇亘賷貙 賵廿賳 賰丕賳 丕賱賮丕乇賯 丕賱兀爻丕爻賷 (亘禺賱丕賮 兀賳 賲丕 賷噩乇賷 賮賷 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷 孬賵乇丕鬲 賵丕賳鬲賮丕囟丕鬲 賵賱賷爻 賲噩乇丿 氐乇丕毓 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨賯賵賯 丕賱賲丿賳賷丞) 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賲 賷賮賰乇 賮賷 丕賱丕賳鬲賯丕賲 賲賳 賳馗丕賲 爻丕亘賯貙 亘賱 賵爻毓賶 賱賱鬲兀賰賷丿 賮賷 賰賱 賲賳丕爻亘丞貙 賵賮賷 賰賱 賲賵囟毓 賲賳 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 毓賱賶 兀賳賴 賱丕 賷乇睾亘 賮賷 胤乇丿 丕賱亘賷囟 賲賳 丕賱亘賱丕丿 賵賱丕 賮賷 丕賱丕賳鬲賯丕賲 賲賳賴賲貙 亘賱 賮賷 兀賳 賷賰賵賳賵丕 卮乇賰丕亍 賱賱兀賮丕乇賯丞 賮賷 丕賱賵胤賳 (賵乇亘賲丕 賷毓賵丿 賴匕丕 賱賲爻兀賱丞 丕賱賮乇賯 亘賷賳 丕賱孬賵乇丞 賵丕賱賰賮丕丨 賲賳 丕噩賱 丕賱丨賯賵賯 丕賱賲丿賳賷丞 賰賲丕 兀爻賱賮鬲)..
賵賷鬲噩賱賶 丕賱賮丕乇賯 丕賱孬丕賳賷 賮賷 兀賳 賰賮丕丨 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕 賰丕賳 賲賳馗賲 賲賳 賯亘賱 毓丿丿 賲賳 丕賱賲賳馗賲丕鬲貙 賵賱賲 賷賰賳 丨乇賰丞 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 睾賷乇 賲賳馗賲丞貙 賲賲丕 兀毓胤賶 丕賱兀賮丕乇賯丞 丕賱賯丿乇丞 毓賱賶 鬲乇鬲賷亘 兀賳賮爻賴賲 亘卮賰賱 兀賮囟賱貙 賵噩毓賱 賲賳 丕賱賲賲賰賳 丕賱鬲賮賰賷乇 亘卮賰賱 毓賲賱賷 賵賮賷 丨賱賵賱 丕賱賲卮賰賱丕鬲 亘卮賰賱 兀賰孬乇 丨賰賲丞 賮賷 丕賱賲賵丕賯賮 丕賱鬲賷 鬲丨鬲丕噩 廿賱賶 鬲毓丕賲賱 丿賯賷賯.
丕賱禺賱丕氐丞: 兀賳氐丨 賰賱 毓乇亘賷 亘賯乇丕亍丞 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘貙 賮賲丕 丕丨賵噩賳丕 丕賱丌賳 廿賱賶 丕爻鬲禺賱丕氐 丕賱毓亘乇 賲賳 鬲噩丕乇亘 賲賳 爻亘賯賵賳丕貙 賱丕 爻賷賲丕 賱賵 賰丕賳鬲 賲鬲卮丕亘賴丞 賮賷 賰孬賷乇 賲賳 噩賵丕賳亘賴丕 賲毓 馗乇賵賮賳丕.
賱賳 兀鬲丨丿孬 胤賵賷賱丕 毓賳 丕賱賰鬲丕亘貙 賱賰賳賷 爻兀賳賯賱 亘毓囟 丕賱毓亘丕乇丕鬲 賵丕賱賲賯丕胤毓 賲賳賴 丕賱鬲賷 兀乇丕賴丕 丕賱丕賴賲貙 兀賵 丕賱兀卮丿 氐賱丞 亘賵丕賯毓賳丕 丕賱毓乇亘賷貙 兀賵 -賵賴賵 丕賱兀睾賱亘- 丕賱賲賯丕胤毓 丕賱鬲賷 鬲丨賲賱 丕賮賰丕乇丕 丕爻鬲睾乇亘鬲 兀賳 鬲氐丿乇 毓賳 賲賳丕囟賱 賲孬賱賴貙 賵毓賱賶 爻亘賷賱 丕賱賲孬丕賱 禺賱丕賮賴 賲毓 亘毓囟 賲賳 賯丕丿丞 "丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇" 毓賱賶 賮賰乇丞 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱賲爻賱丨丞 賵丕賱毓賳賮.. 賵賮賷 匕賱賰 賷賯賵賱 賲賳丕丿賷賱丕 毓賳 賮鬲乇丞 亘丿丕賷丞 賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱兀亘丕乇鬲丕賷丿 賮賷 噩賵亘 丕賮乇賷賯賷丕:
"丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 賵丕賱卮乇胤丞 賰丕賳鬲 賯丿 丕鬲禺匕鬲 丕賱鬲丿丕亘賷丞 賱賲賳毓 丕賷 丕噩鬲賲丕毓 爻賱賲賷 賵鬲噩乇賷賲賴貙 賵賰丕賳鬲 丕賱丕賲賵乇 鬲爻賷乇 鬲噩丕賴 丨賰賲 亘賵賱賷爻賷. 賵亘丿兀鬲 兀乇賶 兀賳 丕賱丕丨鬲噩丕噩丕鬲 丕賱賯丕賳賵賳賷丞 爻鬲氐亘丨 賲爻鬲丨賷賱丞 賮賷 丕賱賵賯鬲 丕賱賯乇賷亘 賮廿賳 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱爻賱賲賷丞 鬲賰賵賳 賮毓丕賱丞 廿匕丕 鬲賲爻賰 賲賳 鬲賯丕賵賲賴賲 亘賳賮爻 丕賱賯賵丕賳賷賳 丕賱鬲賷 鬲鬲賲爻賰 亘賴丕 兀賳鬲 賵廿賱丕 賮賱丕 賮丕毓賱賷丞 賱賴丕. 賵亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賷 賰丕賳 毓丿賲 丕賱毓賳賮 丕爻鬲乇丕鬲賷噩賷丞 賮賯胤 賵賱賲 賷賰賳 賲亘丿兀賸 兀禺賱丕賯賷丕. 賮賱丕 賷賵噩丿 禺賷丕乇 兀禺賱丕賯賷 賮賷 丕爻鬲毓賲丕賱 爻賱丕丨 睾賷乇 賮毓丕賱."
賵賮賷 賲賵賯賮 丌禺乇 賷賯賵賱:
"賱丕 賳爻鬲胤賷毓 賴夭賷賲丞 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 毓爻賰乇賷丕賸貙 賵賱賰賳 亘賵爻毓賳丕 噩毓賱 丨賰賲賴丕 氐毓亘丕."
賵賴賷 賮賰乇丞 卮噩丕毓丞 賲賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕貙 賵賱賴丕 賲賳胤賯 賵噩賷賴貙 賱賰賳賴丕 賲禺賷賮丞貙 賵丨鬲賲丕 賰丕賳鬲 丕賱爻亘亘 賵乇丕亍 丕賱毓丿賷丿 賲賳 兀丨丿丕孬 丕賱毓賳賮 丕賱丿賲賵賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 賷爻乇丿賴丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 賮賷賲丕 亘毓丿貙 賵廿賳 賰丕賳 丕賱亘丕丿卅 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱丨丕賱丕鬲 賰丕賳 睾丕賱亘丕 爻賱胤丕鬲 丕賱丿賵賱丞 丕賱賯賲毓賷丞.
賱賰賳賷 丕鬲爻丕亍賱.. 賲丕匕丕 賱賵 賰丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賯丿 鬲毓丕賲賱 賲毓 賯囟賷鬲賴 亘爻賱賲賷丞 睾丕賳丿賷貙 賴賱 賰丕賳鬲 爻鬲噩丿賷責 賴賱 賰丕賳 丕賱賲氐賷乇 爻賷禺鬲賱賮責
賵賲毓 匕賱賰 賮廿賳 丕賱賱噩賵亍 廿賱賶 丕賱毓賳賮 賰丕賳 丕賱丨賱 丕賱兀禺賷乇 丕賱匕賷 丕囟胤乇 廿賱賷賴 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇貙 亘毓丿 賲丨丕賵賱丕鬲 賲爻鬲賲乇丞 賱丨賱 丕賱賯囟賷丞 爻賱賲賷丕 賮卮賱鬲 噩賲賷毓賴丕 賱鬲毓賳鬲 丕賱爻賱胤丞 賮賷 丕賱鬲毓丕賲賱 賲毓 丕賱爻賰丕賳 丕賱兀氐賱賷賷賳 賵丕賱賲賳馗賲丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賲孬賱賴賲.
毓賱賶 兀賳 爻賳賵丕鬲 丕賱爻噩賳 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賯丕乇亘 丕賱孬賱丕孬賷賳 賯丿 氐賯賱鬲 賮賰乇 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕貙 賵賯丿 鬲胤賵乇鬲 丌乇丕卅賴 亘卮賰賱 賰亘賷乇貙 廿匕 丕賰鬲卮賮 賱丕丨賯丕賸 丕賳賴 兀丨賷丕賳丕賸 賲丕 鬲賰賵賳 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 賴賷 丕賱丨賱 賱賱禺乇賵噩 賲賳 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞貙 亘丿賱丕 毓賳 氐乇丕丨 胤賵賷賱 丕賱兀噩賱 賷爻鬲賳賮匕 丕賱胤丕賯丕鬲 亘賱丕 噩丿賵賶 丨賯賷賯賷丞.. 賵賰丕賳 賴匕賴 丕賱賮賰乇丞 賲賳 丕賱賲賮丕噩丌鬲 亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賷 賮賷 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘.. 賮賱賲 丕鬲氐賵乇 賲賳丕丿賷賱丕 賰賲賮賵丕囟貙 亘賱 賰賲賳丕囟賱貙 賵賱賲 兀賰賳 兀毓乇賮 兀賳賴 卮丕乇賰 賮賷 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 胤賵賷賱 丕賱兀賲丿 廿賱賶 禺匕丕 丕賱丨丿..
毓賱賶 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 馗賱 乇丕賮囟丕賸 賱賵賯賮 丕賱毓賳賮 囟丿 丕賱爻賱胤丞貙 胤丕賱賲丕 丕賯鬲賳毓 丕賳 丕賱爻胤賱丞 賱賳 鬲賳賮匕 鬲毓賴丿丕鬲賴丕.. 賵賰丕賳 賲氐乇丕 毓賱賶 兀賳 賷乇鬲亘胤 賵賯賮 丕賱毓賳賮 亘鬲賳賮賷匕 禺胤賵丕鬲 噩丿賷丞 賲賳 噩丕賳亘 丕賱爻賱胤丞.. 丨賷孬 賱賲 賷賰賳 鬲胤賵乇 賮賰乇 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賵賯亘賵賱賴 亘丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 亘丿賷賱丕 毓賳 丕賱賳囟丕賱 毓賱賶 丕賱兀乇囟貙 賱丕爻賷賲丕 毓賳丿 丕賱賳馗乇 廿賱賶 賴匕丕 丕賱賳囟丕賱貙 賱賷爻 賰胤乇賷賯丞 賱賱丨賱貙 亘賱 賰賵乇賯丞 賲賳 兀賵乇丕賯 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丞.
賵賮賷 匕賱賰 賷賯賵賱:
"賰賳鬲 兀賵丿 廿賮賴丕賲 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 兀賳賴 乇睾賲 乇賮囟賷 丕賱毓乇囟 賮廿賳賷 丕毓鬲賯丿 兀賳 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 賵賱賷爻鬲 丕賱丨乇亘 賴賷 丕賱爻亘賷賱 賱賱丨賱."
賰賲丕 賷丐賰丿 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 毓賱賶 兀賳 丕賱兀賵賱賵賷丞 賱賱丨賱賵賱 丕賱爻賱賲賷丞貙 賮丨鬲賶 丕賱毓賳賮 賱賲 賷賱噩兀 廿賱賷賴 廿賱丕 賰丨賱 兀禺賷乇:
"丕賱卮乇賵胤 丕賱鬲賷 鬲乇賷丿 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 賮乇囟賴丕 鬲爻亘亘 賱賷 丕賱丿賴卮丞貙 賱兀賳賳丕 賱賲 賳爻賱賰 胤乇賷賯 丕賱毓賳賮 廿賱丕 亘毓丿 兀賳 爻丿鬲 兀賲丕賲賳丕 噩賲賷毓 .胤乇賯 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞"
賵賱賳鬲兀賲賱 賴匕丕 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱匕賷 賷賯賵賱賴 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賴賳丕 (賵賰丕賳 匕賱賰 賮賷 賲賳丕爻亘丞 丕賳囟賲丕賲 丕卮禺丕氐 噩丿丿 賱賱賲丐鬲賲乇貙 賲毓 賲賱丕丨馗丞 丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賲 賷賰賳 賯丿 鬲毓乇囟 賱賱爻噩賳 亘毓丿):
"賵賰丕賳 毓丿賷丿 賲賲賳 丕賳囟賲賵丕 賱賱賲賳馗賲丞 丕賱噩丿賷丿丞 賯丿 賮毓賱賵丕 匕賱賰 賱兀爻亘丕亘 卮禺氐賷丞 賲賳賴丕 丕賱睾賷乇丞 賵丕賱乇睾亘丞 賮賷 丕賱丕賳鬲賯丕賲. 賵賰丕賳 丕毓鬲賯丕丿賷 丿丕卅賲丕賸 兀賳 毓賱賶 丕賱賲賯丕鬲賱 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 兀賳 賷賰亘鬲 賰孬賷乇丕 賲賳 丕賱賲卮丕毓乇 丕賱卮禺氐賷丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲噩毓賱 賲賳賴 賮乇丿丕賸 賲爻鬲賯賱丕賸 亘丿賱丕購 賲賳 噩夭亍 賲賳 丨乇賰丞 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞貙 賵丕毓鬲賯丿丕鬲 兀賳 賰孬賷乇 賲賳 鬲賱賰 丕賱丌乇丕亍 賵丕賱鬲氐乇賮丕鬲 睾賷乇 賳丕囟噩丞. 賵乇睾賲 鬲毓丕胤賮賷 賲毓 丌乇丕亍 丕賱兀賮丕乇賯丞 賵丕賱賯賵賲賷賷賳 賮賯丿 賰賳鬲 丕毓鬲賯丿 兀賳 丕賱賳囟丕賱 賲賳 丕噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 賷鬲胤賱亘 賲賳 丕賱廿賳爻丕賳 丕賱賯亘賵賱 亘丌乇丕亍 賵爻賷胤丞 賵鬲賯亘賱 賳馗賲 賯丕賵賲賴丕 丨賷賳賲丕 賰丕賳 兀丨丿孬 爻賳丕."
"賱賷爻 賴賳丕賰 兀賷 鬲毓丕乇囟 賱鬲兀賷賷丿賷 丕賱賰賮丕丨 丕賱賲爻賱丨 賵鬲賲爻賰賷 亘丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲貙 賮丕賱賰賮丕丨 丕賱賲爻賱丨 賴賵 丕賱匕賷 兀鬲賶 亘丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 廿賱賶 丨丕賮丞 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲."
兀賷 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賷乇亘胤 亘賷賳 丕賱丕孬賳賷賳貙 賵賱丕 賷乇賶 丕賱賰賮丕丨 丕賱賲爻賱丨 睾丕賷丞貙 亘賱 賵爻賷賱丞 賱賱賵氐賵賱 廿賱賶 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲貙 賮丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賴 賴賷 丕賱兀爻丕爻.
賵毓賳 乇兀賷賴 賮賷 兀爻丕賱賷亘 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丿丕禺賱 丕賱爻噩賳:
"賵賰賳鬲 兀乇賶 兀賳 賲噩乇丿 丕賱丕囟乇丕亘 毓賳 丕賱胤毓丕賲 丿丕禺賱 丕賱爻噩賳 兀賲乇 睾賷乇 賵丕賯毓賷賳 賮賱賰賷 賷賰賵賳 賮毓丕賱丕賸 賷噩亘 兀賳 賷毓賱賲 亘賴 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱禺丕乇噩賷貙 賵賰丕賳鬲 丕賱丕鬲氐丕賱丕鬲 卮亘賴 賲爻鬲丨賷賱丞 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱爻賳賵丕鬲. 賵亘丕賱賳爻亘丞 賱賷 賰丕賳 丕賱丕囟乇丕亘 毓賳 丕賱胤毓丕賲 兀賲乇丕賸 爻賱亘賷丕賸 賷囟乇 亘氐丨丞 兀噩爻丕丿賳丕 丕賱囟毓賷賮丞貙 賵丕爻鬲丿毓丕亍 賱賱賲賵鬲. 賵賰賳鬲 丿丕卅賲丕賸 兀賮囟賱 兀賳賵丕毓 丕賱賲賯丕賵賲丞 丕賱兀賰孬乇 丕賷噩丕亘賷丞 賵賳囟丕賱丕賸 賰丕賱丕囟乇丕亘 毓賳 丕賱毓賲賱 賵丕賱鬲亘丕胤丐 賵乇賮囟 兀毓賲丕賱 丕賱賳馗丕賮丞 賵鬲賱賰 兀毓賲丕賱 鬲囟乇 亘丕賱爻賱胤丕鬲 賵賱丕 賳毓丕賯亘 亘賴丕 丕賳賮爻賳丕. ..."
孬賲 賷毓賵丿 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賱鬲兀賰賷丿 毓賱賶 賳賯胤丞 賴丕賲丞 賮賷 丕賱賳囟丕賱 囟賲賳 賲噩賲賵毓丞.. 廿匕 乇睾賲 丕禺鬲賱丕賮 兀毓囟丕亍 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 毓賱賶 丕賱毓丿賷丿 賲賳 丕賱兀賮賰丕乇 廿賱丕 兀賳 丕賱賯乇丕乇 賲丕 廿賳 丕鬲禺匕 丨鬲賶 賷賱鬲夭賲 亘賴 丕賱噩賲賷毓.
"... 賵賱賰賳 丕賯鬲乇丕丨丕鬲賷 賱賲 鬲賱賯 鬲兀賷賷丿丕貙 賵賰丕賳 賲鬲賶 丕鬲禺匕 丕賱賯乇丕乇 丕丐賷丿賴 鬲賲丕賲丕."
孬賲 賷禺乇噩 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳鬲氐乇丕賸 賲賳 丕賱爻噩賳貙 賵鬲亘丿兀 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲賴 賲毓 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞貙 賵鬲馗賴乇 賲卮賰賱丞 噩丿賷丿丞..
"賰丕賳鬲 賴賳丕賰 丕賱賲卮丕賰賱 丕賱賮賱爻賮賷丞 兀賷囟丕賸貙 賮廿賳賴 亘丕賱廿賲賰丕賳 鬲賵丨賷丿 丕賱丨乇賰丞 兀孬賳丕亍丕賱丨乇亘 賲毓 丕賱毓丿賵 丕賱賲卮鬲乇賰貙 賱賰賳 廿賷噩丕丿 爻賷丕爻丞 毓賱賶 賲丕卅丿丞 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 兀賲乇 賲禺鬲賱賮貙 賮廿賳賴 賰丕賳 毓賱賷賳丕 兀賳 賳丿賲噩 賲噩賲賵毓丕鬲 毓丿賷丿丞 賮賷 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賵兀賷囟丕賹 丌乇丕亍 賲禺鬲賱賮丞."
賲賲丕 賷匕賰乇賳賷 亘賲乇丨賱丞 賲丕 亘毓丿 丕賱孬賵乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲賲乇 亘賴丕 丿賵賱 丕賱乇亘賷毓 丕賱毓乇亘賷 兀賵 兀賷 丿賵賱丞 鬲禺乇噩 賲賳 丨丕賱丞 丨乇丕賰 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷 賰亘賷乇 毓賱賶 丕賱兀乇囟 囟丿 毓丿賵 賲卮鬲乇賰.
賵賯丿 鬲賵氐賱 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 廿賱賶 丨賱 鬲賱賰 丕賱賲卮賰賱丞 噩夭卅賷丕賸 賲賳 禺賱丕賱 賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 賵丕爻毓丞貙 賱賰賳 賱賲 鬲賰賳 鬲賱賰 賳賴丕賷丞 丕賱賲卮賰賱丕鬲..
賮賯丿 賳賰孬鬲 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 亘賵毓丿賴丕 賮賷 賲乇丨賱丞 賲丕貙 賵鬲爻亘亘鬲 賮賷 賲匕亘丨丞 賰亘賷乇丞貙 賵賯丕賲 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賷禺胤亘 賮賷 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賮賱丕丨馗 賲丕 賷賱賷:
"賰丕賳鬲 丕賱賱丕賮鬲丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 丨賲賱賴丕 丕賱賲鬲噩賲賴乇賵賳 鬲賳丕丿賷 亘丕爻鬲毓賲丕賱 丕賱爻賱丕丨 賵丕賱鬲禺賱賷 毓賳 丕賱賲丨丕丿孬丕鬲貙 賵鬲賮賴賲鬲 毓賵丕胤賮 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 丕賱鬲賷 賰丕賳鬲 鬲乇賷丿 廿爻賯丕胤 丕賱兀亘丕乇鬲丕賷丿 賵賰丕賳鬲 賯丿 爻卅賲鬲 丕賱賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲貙 賵賰丕賳 丕賱毓賲賱 丕賱噩丕賲賴賷乇賷 賮賷 鬲賱賰 丕賱賱丨馗丞 胤乇賷賯丕賸 賵爻胤丕賸 亘賷賳 丕賱賲賮賵丕囟丕鬲 賵丕賱賰賮丕丨 丕賱賲爻賱丨."
賵賷賯氐丿 亘丕賱毓賲賱 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇賷 賴賳丕 丨乇賰丞 賵丕爻毓丞 賲賳 丕賱賲馗丕賴乇丕鬲 賵丕賱丕囟乇丕亘丕鬲 丕賱鬲賷 賳馗賲賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賮賷 丕賱亘賱丕丿.
賵賲賳 丕賱賲孬賷乇 賱賱丕賴鬲賲丕賲 丨賯丕賸 丕賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 兀噩乇賶 毓丿丿 賲賳 丕賱丕噩鬲賲丕毓丕鬲 賲毓 賲爻丐賵賱賷 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 亘卮賰賱 爻乇賷貙 賵賱賲 賷賰賳 匕賱賰 禺丿丕毓丕 賱賱噩賲丕賴賷乇貙 賵賱賰賳 賱廿毓胤丕亍 丕賱賮乇氐丞 賱賱丨賰賵賲丞 賱賱鬲賮丕賵囟 丿賵賳 囟睾賵胤 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱毓丕賲 賱賱亘賷囟 丕賱匕賷賳 賰丕賳賵丕 賷乇賮囟賵賳 丕賱鬲賮丕賵囟 賲毓 丕賱兀賮丕乇賯丞.. 賮賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賰丕賳 賲賮丕賵囟丕 亘丕乇毓丕貙 賮囟賱 賲爻丕毓丿丞 丕賱禺氐賲 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱賵氐賵賱 廿賱賶 鬲爻賵賷丞 賲賯亘賵賱丞 賲賳 賰丕賮丞 丕賱兀胤乇丕賮 毓賱賶 兀賳 賷囟睾胤 毓賱賶 丕賱丨賰賵賲丞 賲賳 丕噩賱 丕賱丿禺賵賱 賮賷 賲賮丕賵囟丕鬲 毓賱賳賷丞 鬲鬲賵賯賮 亘毓丿 賯賱賷賱 鬲丨鬲 囟睾胤 丕賱乇兀賷 丕賱毓丕賲貙 賮鬲氐賱 丕賱亘賱丕丿 亘匕賱賰 廿賱賶 胤乇賷賯 賲爻丿賵丿..
賵賲賳 丕賱賱丕賮鬲 賱賱賳馗乇 賰匕賱賰 丕賱胤乇賷賯丞 丕賱鬲賷 鬲毓丕賲賱 亘賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賲毓 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲貙 丕賱鬲賷 丿禺賱賴丕 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賱兀賵賱 賲乇丞 賰賲賳馗賲丞 卮乇毓賷丞.. 廿匕 賳馗賲 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 賵丕爻毓丞 賱鬲賵毓賷丞 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 "賲丐鬲賲乇丕鬲 丕賱卮毓亘"貙 賵氐丕睾 亘乇賳丕賲噩賴 亘卮賰賱 賲賮氐賱 賱賷卮乇丨 乇丐賷鬲賴貙 賱丕賮鬲丕賸 丕賱賳馗乇 廿賱賶 兀賳賴 賱丕 賷乇賷丿 賱賱賲丐鬲賲乇 兀賳 賷賰爻亘 鬲毓丕胤賮 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賵兀氐賵丕鬲賴賲 毓亘乇 鬲匕賰賷乇賴賲 亘賲丕 賯丿賲賴 賱賴賲 賮賷 賮鬲乇丞 丕賱賳囟丕賱貙 賵賱賰賳 毓亘乇 胤乇丨 乇丐賷鬲賴 賱賱賲爻鬲賯亘賱貙 賮丕賱賳囟丕賱 賱丕 賷噩亘 賮賷 乇兀賷 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 兀賳 賷賰賵賳 丕賱廿賳噩丕夭 丕賱賵丨賷丿 丕賱匕賷 毓賱賶 丕爻丕爻賴 賷賰爻亘 丕賱賲丐鬲賲乇 兀氐賵丕鬲 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 賵賷氐賱 廿賱賶 丕賱亘乇賱賲丕賳.
賰賲丕 賷賱賮鬲 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 丕賱兀賳馗丕乇 廿賱賶 兀賲乇 丌禺乇:
"賵卮毓乇鬲 兀賷囟丕賸 兀賳賳丕 賷噩亘 兀賳 賳禺亘乇 丕賱卮毓亘 亘賲丕 賱賳 賳爻鬲胤賷毓 毓賲賱賴. 賮賯丿 賰丕賳 丕賱噩賲賷毓 賷卮毓乇賵賳 兀賳 丕賱丨賷丕丞 賷賲賰賳 兀賳 鬲鬲睾賷乇 賮賷 兀毓賯丕亘 丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲 丿賷賲賯乇丕胤賷丞 丨乇丞. 賵賱匕賱賰 賰賳鬲 兀禺亘乇 丕賱噩賲丕賴賷乇 兀賳賴賲 賷噩亘 兀賱丕 賷鬲賵賯毓賵丕 兀賳 賷鬲賲賱賰賵丕 爻賷丕乇丞 賲乇爻賷丿爻 賵賷賰賵賳 賱丿賷賴賲 丨賵囟 爻亘丕丨鬲賴賲 丕賱禺丕氐 亘毓丿 丕賱丕賳鬲禺丕亘丕鬲貙 賮賰賳鬲 兀賯賵賱 賱賴賲 丕賳賴 賱賳 賷賰賵賳 賴賳丕賰 鬲睾賷賷乇 賲賮丕噩卅 爻賵賶 丕丨鬲乇丕賲賴賲 賱兀賳賮爻賴賲 賰賲賵丕胤賳賷賳 賮賷 兀乇囟賴賲 賵兀賳賴賲 賯丿 賷賳鬲馗乇賵賳 禺賲爻 爻賳賵丕鬲 賱鬲丐鬲賷 丕賱禺胤丞 孬賲丕乇賴丕貙 賰賲丕 賰賳鬲 兀賯賵賱 賱賴賲 廿賳 毓賱賷賴賲 兀賳 賷毓賲賱賵丕 亘噩丿 廿賳 兀乇丕丿賵丕 丨賷丕丞 兀賮囟賱 " 賮賱賳 賳賮毓賱 匕賱賰 賱賰賲 賵賱賰賳賰賲 兀賳鬲賲 丕賱匕賷賳 爻鬲丨賯賯賵賳賴 亘兀賳賮爻賰賲"."
賵賮賷 丕賱禺丕鬲賲丞 丕賱賲丐孬乇丞 丕賱鬲賷 賰鬲亘賴丕 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳賴賷丕賸 亘賴丕 賯氐丞 氐乇丕毓 胤賵賷賱貙 賷賯賵賱:
"賱賲 兀賮賯丿 丕賱兀賲賱 兀亘丿丕賸 兀賳 丕賱鬲睾賷賷乇 賱丕亘丿 丌鬲貙 賱賷爻 賮賯胤 亘爻亘亘 賴丐賱丕亍 丕賱兀亘胤丕賱貙 賱賰賳 亘爻亘亘 卮噩丕毓丞 丕賱賳爻丕亍 賵丕賱乇噩丕賱 丕賱毓丕丿賷賷賳 賲賳 卮毓亘賷貙 賮賱丕 賷賵噩丿 兀丨丿 賷賰乇賴 卮禺氐丕賸 亘爻亘亘 賱賵賳賴 丕賵 禺賱賮賷鬲賴 兀賵 丿賷賳賴貙 賮廿賳 丕賱賳丕爻 賱丕亘丿 兀賳 賷鬲毓賱賲賵丕 兀賳 賷賰乇賴賵丕貙 賵廿賳 賰丕賳賵丕 賯丕丿乇賷賳 毓賱賶 鬲毓賱賲 丕賱賰乇丕賴賷丞 賮賱丕亘丿 賵兀賳賴賲 賯丕丿乇賵賳 毓賱賶 鬲毓賱賲 丕賱丨亘. 賮賮賷 兀丨賱賰 兀賵賯丕鬲 丕賱爻噩賳 丨賷賳賲丕 賰賳鬲 賵乇賮丕賯賷 賳爻丕賯 廿賱賶 丨丕賮丞 丕賱賯丿乇丞 毓賱賶 丕賱丕丨鬲賲丕賱 賰賳鬲 兀乇賶 賵賲賷囟丕賸 賲賳 丕賱廿賳爻丕賳賷丞 賮賷 兀丨丿 丕賱丨乇丕爻貙 乇亘賲丕 賱賲丿丞 孬丕賳賷丞貙 賱賰賳 賰丕賳 匕賱賰 丕賱賵賲賷囟 賷胤賲卅賳賳賷."
丕賱丨賯 兀賳 賯氐丞 賰賮丕丨 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕貙 賵賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 鬲丨丿賷丿丕貙 賲賳 兀乇賵毓 賯氐氐 丕賱賰賮丕丨貙 鬲賰丕丿 鬲賰賵賳 兀爻胤賵乇賷丞貙 賵兀乇賶 賮賷賴丕 丕賱賰孬賷乇 賲賳 賲賱丕賲丨 丕賱乇亘賷毓 丕賱毓乇亘賷貙 賵廿賳 賰丕賳 丕賱賮丕乇賯 丕賱兀爻丕爻賷 (亘禺賱丕賮 兀賳 賲丕 賷噩乇賷 賮賷 丕賱毓丕賱賲 丕賱毓乇亘賷 孬賵乇丕鬲 賵丕賳鬲賮丕囟丕鬲 賵賱賷爻 賲噩乇丿 氐乇丕毓 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨賯賵賯 丕賱賲丿賳賷丞) 兀賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賱賲 賷賮賰乇 賮賷 丕賱丕賳鬲賯丕賲 賲賳 賳馗丕賲 爻丕亘賯貙 亘賱 賵爻毓賶 賱賱鬲兀賰賷丿 賮賷 賰賱 賲賳丕爻亘丞貙 賵賮賷 賰賱 賲賵囟毓 賲賳 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘 毓賱賶 兀賳賴 賱丕 賷乇睾亘 賮賷 胤乇丿 丕賱亘賷囟 賲賳 丕賱亘賱丕丿 賵賱丕 賮賷 丕賱丕賳鬲賯丕賲 賲賳賴賲貙 亘賱 賮賷 兀賳 賷賰賵賳賵丕 卮乇賰丕亍 賱賱兀賮丕乇賯丞 賮賷 丕賱賵胤賳 (賵乇亘賲丕 賷毓賵丿 賴匕丕 賱賲爻兀賱丞 丕賱賮乇賯 亘賷賳 丕賱孬賵乇丞 賵丕賱賰賮丕丨 賲賳 丕噩賱 丕賱丨賯賵賯 丕賱賲丿賳賷丞 賰賲丕 兀爻賱賮鬲)..
賵賷鬲噩賱賶 丕賱賮丕乇賯 丕賱孬丕賳賷 賮賷 兀賳 賰賮丕丨 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕 賰丕賳 賲賳馗賲 賲賳 賯亘賱 毓丿丿 賲賳 丕賱賲賳馗賲丕鬲貙 賵賱賲 賷賰賳 丨乇賰丞 噩賲丕賴賷乇賷丞 睾賷乇 賲賳馗賲丞貙 賲賲丕 兀毓胤賶 丕賱兀賮丕乇賯丞 丕賱賯丿乇丞 毓賱賶 鬲乇鬲賷亘 兀賳賮爻賴賲 亘卮賰賱 兀賮囟賱貙 賵噩毓賱 賲賳 丕賱賲賲賰賳 丕賱鬲賮賰賷乇 亘卮賰賱 毓賲賱賷 賵賮賷 丨賱賵賱 丕賱賲卮賰賱丕鬲 亘卮賰賱 兀賰孬乇 丨賰賲丞 賮賷 丕賱賲賵丕賯賮 丕賱鬲賷 鬲丨鬲丕噩 廿賱賶 鬲毓丕賲賱 丿賯賷賯.
丕賱禺賱丕氐丞: 兀賳氐丨 賰賱 毓乇亘賷 亘賯乇丕亍丞 賴匕丕 丕賱賰鬲丕亘貙 賮賲丕 丕丨賵噩賳丕 丕賱丌賳 廿賱賶 丕爻鬲禺賱丕氐 丕賱毓亘乇 賲賳 鬲噩丕乇亘 賲賳 爻亘賯賵賳丕貙 賱丕 爻賷賲丕 賱賵 賰丕賳鬲 賲鬲卮丕亘賴丞 賮賷 賰孬賷乇 賲賳 噩賵丕賳亘賴丕 賲毓 馗乇賵賮賳丕.
January 14, 2013
I tried reading this book SO many times right after it was published - but found myself so upset and saddened, that I realised I was simply not emotionally ready to deal with the contents. So - it sat on my shelf for nearly 10 years, before I felt ready and healed enough to pick the book up again.
It was, for me, a riveting read. I sobbed my way through a great many of the sections, I learned so much about the history of my country and the genesis of the African National Congress and its original noble and lofty ideals.
The wisdom, strength, fortitude and humanity of Nelson Mandela - our Madiba - radiated from every page. I felt very enriched after closing the last page of the book. I also felt an immense sense of bereftment, anger [ because of the realisation about just how MUCH had in fact been censored and kept away from me, whilst growing up, by the Apartheid government] and also sadness. It took me months to process all of the information, but it certainly provided me with another layer of knowledge and perspective so as to better understand the psyche of the people of our Rainbow Nation. A must-read.
It was, for me, a riveting read. I sobbed my way through a great many of the sections, I learned so much about the history of my country and the genesis of the African National Congress and its original noble and lofty ideals.
The wisdom, strength, fortitude and humanity of Nelson Mandela - our Madiba - radiated from every page. I felt very enriched after closing the last page of the book. I also felt an immense sense of bereftment, anger [ because of the realisation about just how MUCH had in fact been censored and kept away from me, whilst growing up, by the Apartheid government] and also sadness. It took me months to process all of the information, but it certainly provided me with another layer of knowledge and perspective so as to better understand the psyche of the people of our Rainbow Nation. A must-read.
May 20, 2015
What to say about one of the world鈥檚 most highly esteemed books? I am wholly inadequate to give a review of the book as such, but here, as usual, are a few notes to remind myself of the reading...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book is a must read for anyone remotely interested in South Africa. At 750 pages it is a bit of a door stopper 鈥� but it is infinitely readable. Mandela writes wonderfully well, and his story is utterly gripping. It was a bittersweet read for me at this time, as he draws to the end of his life. He has been a monument on our landscape for so long, and such a great hero in the eyes of so many. Me included.
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This book is a must read for anyone remotely interested in South Africa. At 750 pages it is a bit of a door stopper 鈥� but it is infinitely readable. Mandela writes wonderfully well, and his story is utterly gripping. It was a bittersweet read for me at this time, as he draws to the end of his life. He has been a monument on our landscape for so long, and such a great hero in the eyes of so many. Me included.
November 9, 2015
I learned Nelson Mandela鈥檚 life from my high school history because of the word, apartheid. (Thanks to Mahatma Gandhi; he introduced him to us on his cause of Caste System in India.) However, I just scratched the surface of him t as my teacher did not tell much details about him as if he was not attached much importance to the subject. ( If I were my teacher, I would have told much more about him.) In fact, I mistook him for a Black-American. Uh-oh! I was still an ignoramus at that time despite the fact that I was enthused about studying history. Few years later, he drew my attention when he was in the news ; he was reported to have passed away. The world was so grieved by his death that he was almost the headlines of all the newspapers and news programs. Only that time did I realize that he was such a big name in the world. As usual, I desired to know him more by reading his life. However, I did not afford to buy his book then. Eventually, my generous-to-fault student gifted me this book. Of course, I grinned from ear to ear with joy. Full of enthusiasm, I started to read it. However, it took me time to finish it and ended up on my study table for a few months. The book is light because of Mandela鈥檚 prose but steeped in geographical places and anthropological and political terminologies only South African can almost relate to. Nevertheless, I liked it on account of Mandela鈥檚 ideologies, experiences, and speeches he delivered before his people.
I enjoyed reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography because of his light English prose as the indication that he had studied well- typical of a smart student studying in English speaking countries. For your information, South Africa has many official languages, and English is one of them. Thus, not the majority of its population uses the language every day. Another impressive thing about writing his autobiography is his capability to incorporate his various feelings, be they in positive or negative, into his compelling narrations. Sometimes, other autobiographers write with highfalutin, highbrow, and high-flown stories or with unfathomably philosophical insights beyond my understanding (, but still I try to bend my mind to them until I bash my head against the wall ending up into a library of books or surfing the internet. Ones of best examples so far are Thomas Merton鈥檚 The Seven Storey Mountain and Ralph Waldo Emerson鈥檚 Selected Writings and Poems.) Therefore, reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography can be likened to a teen-ager鈥檚 diary. Everyone can take a fancy for his diary unless you are that a political animal. On the contrary, his usage of some political, geographical, and anthropological terms which I am not very much familiar with undermine the said like-a-teen-ager鈥檚-diary element. You might get tired of them , saturated with the words you need to absorb in and turn over in your mind. In fact, it has 859 pages, the thickest book I have read this year. Thus, you have no choice but to turn to Google or to a library of history books if you are a Luddite in order to understand them by heart. That鈥檚 why I did not lay a finger on it for a few months. In the end, Mandela鈥檚 autobiography, in my hypothetical suggestion, could still be a critically acclaimed book for its two kinds ,A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM: NELSON MANDELA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: AN ABRIDGED VERSION- expunged some technical words and A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM: NELSON MANDELA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: UNABRIDGED VERSION, same with this original version.
Reading his speeches is also page-turning. There鈥檚 something about his speeches 鈥� they were like causing mass hysteria among South Africans at that time. I tend to read his narrations as fast as I could in order to imaginatively listen to them . As a matter of fact, I tended to search his speeches on Youtube wondering how he delivered them. I would say that Nelson Mandela, along with Malcolm X , has most moving speeches I have read so far.
Mandela鈥檚 autobiography reminded me of Malcolm X, another Black -American revolutionary who had somewhat the same cause鈥攔acial equality. Malcolm X , based on his best-selling authorized biography, also believed that Black-Americans should be equal to White Americans . He demonstrated against the culture of discrimination against his fellow Blacks. The only differences between their causes were: specifically, Mandela fought against the Apartheid whereas Malcolm X against general forms of discrimination. Still, both of their causes categorically fall to racial equality. Besides, there is one surprising thing that made me jump to my conclusion: Nelson Mandela鈥檚 last resort was using violence when he came to the point that diplomatic negotiation did not work at all. In fact, he had been influenced by the idea of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi on civil disobedience. After all , he succumbed to Malcolm X鈥� slogan , 鈥� BY ANY NECESSARY MEANS.鈥�, which I surmised he had disliked ;rather, admired Martin Luther King鈥檚 , 鈥� I HAVE A DREAM.鈥滻 guess I can also conclude as well as you agree that , sometimes , in any circumstances even in history, Malcom X鈥檚 slogan worked and is feasible as long as this is the last resort as was Mandela鈥檚. On the contrary, in the end, Mandela had proved that 鈥渧irtue of patience鈥� in the name of peaceful, friendly, and sincere ,as he put it, negotiation can work.
Likewise, Mandela was weaned on communism or Marxism - the political idea that also influenced Malcolm X and Richard Wright, famous for his books, The Native Son and Black Boy. Did this idea also occur to some revolutionaries in a place with insurgent atmosphere because of social injustice? So does to some at the present situation?
Before I finished it, Aristotle had taught me his The Republic, a philosophy book that also deals with the real meaning of JUSTICE. ( I haven鈥檛 written my review of it yet.) It has the dialogues among the Philosophers debating over the scopes of justice. As a student of his , discombobulated, mulling over his students鈥� philosophical explanation, upon reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography, it dawned upon me that justice means equality. In other words, I applied understanding The Republic by Aristotle to Mandela鈥檚 book. For instance, for Plato and Socrates, justice is fulfilling one's appropriate role, and consequently giving to the city what is owed.* In a simple way, I want to illustrate the virtue Nelson Mandela believed in my life. I want that life in some aspects is 鈥淔AIR鈥�. That鈥檚 why, without malice, without this air of pride and pompousness, I want to respect people regardless of their skin color , sex , and race ; I respect in action people with deeply-seated religious beliefs despite I have this Richard Dawkins鈥檚 鈥揹esire to change the world; I empathize 鈥渢he destitute鈥� despite that giving alms is not my principle except for 鈥渢he needy鈥�, but bringing them to their senses that capitalism is an evil, that living in this world is consummate 鈥渟urvival of the fittest鈥�.
Mandela applied his rude awakening to equality to understanding the people he got along with . With this belief, he became a freedom fighter, stalwart, determined, humble with undefeated fighting spirit. That was Nelson Mandela, and in the end, despite the travails he had gone through, he made it to his final walk to FREEDOM.
Obviously, my long review of this book indicates my feeling of fulfillment. I am glad that I finished it after a short while. I do not regret having laid it aside on my study table. Just I let the time permit.
Thanks to my student ( Sr. Angela ) for picking it among the books in a book store, without the idea that I had longed to read it ; she had granted my wish. If I were a pantheist, I would exclaim ,鈥漌hat a divine intervention!鈥� ^_^
I enjoyed reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography because of his light English prose as the indication that he had studied well- typical of a smart student studying in English speaking countries. For your information, South Africa has many official languages, and English is one of them. Thus, not the majority of its population uses the language every day. Another impressive thing about writing his autobiography is his capability to incorporate his various feelings, be they in positive or negative, into his compelling narrations. Sometimes, other autobiographers write with highfalutin, highbrow, and high-flown stories or with unfathomably philosophical insights beyond my understanding (, but still I try to bend my mind to them until I bash my head against the wall ending up into a library of books or surfing the internet. Ones of best examples so far are Thomas Merton鈥檚 The Seven Storey Mountain and Ralph Waldo Emerson鈥檚 Selected Writings and Poems.) Therefore, reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography can be likened to a teen-ager鈥檚 diary. Everyone can take a fancy for his diary unless you are that a political animal. On the contrary, his usage of some political, geographical, and anthropological terms which I am not very much familiar with undermine the said like-a-teen-ager鈥檚-diary element. You might get tired of them , saturated with the words you need to absorb in and turn over in your mind. In fact, it has 859 pages, the thickest book I have read this year. Thus, you have no choice but to turn to Google or to a library of history books if you are a Luddite in order to understand them by heart. That鈥檚 why I did not lay a finger on it for a few months. In the end, Mandela鈥檚 autobiography, in my hypothetical suggestion, could still be a critically acclaimed book for its two kinds ,A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM: NELSON MANDELA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: AN ABRIDGED VERSION- expunged some technical words and A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM: NELSON MANDELA'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: UNABRIDGED VERSION, same with this original version.
Reading his speeches is also page-turning. There鈥檚 something about his speeches 鈥� they were like causing mass hysteria among South Africans at that time. I tend to read his narrations as fast as I could in order to imaginatively listen to them . As a matter of fact, I tended to search his speeches on Youtube wondering how he delivered them. I would say that Nelson Mandela, along with Malcolm X , has most moving speeches I have read so far.
Mandela鈥檚 autobiography reminded me of Malcolm X, another Black -American revolutionary who had somewhat the same cause鈥攔acial equality. Malcolm X , based on his best-selling authorized biography, also believed that Black-Americans should be equal to White Americans . He demonstrated against the culture of discrimination against his fellow Blacks. The only differences between their causes were: specifically, Mandela fought against the Apartheid whereas Malcolm X against general forms of discrimination. Still, both of their causes categorically fall to racial equality. Besides, there is one surprising thing that made me jump to my conclusion: Nelson Mandela鈥檚 last resort was using violence when he came to the point that diplomatic negotiation did not work at all. In fact, he had been influenced by the idea of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi on civil disobedience. After all , he succumbed to Malcolm X鈥� slogan , 鈥� BY ANY NECESSARY MEANS.鈥�, which I surmised he had disliked ;rather, admired Martin Luther King鈥檚 , 鈥� I HAVE A DREAM.鈥滻 guess I can also conclude as well as you agree that , sometimes , in any circumstances even in history, Malcom X鈥檚 slogan worked and is feasible as long as this is the last resort as was Mandela鈥檚. On the contrary, in the end, Mandela had proved that 鈥渧irtue of patience鈥� in the name of peaceful, friendly, and sincere ,as he put it, negotiation can work.
Likewise, Mandela was weaned on communism or Marxism - the political idea that also influenced Malcolm X and Richard Wright, famous for his books, The Native Son and Black Boy. Did this idea also occur to some revolutionaries in a place with insurgent atmosphere because of social injustice? So does to some at the present situation?
Before I finished it, Aristotle had taught me his The Republic, a philosophy book that also deals with the real meaning of JUSTICE. ( I haven鈥檛 written my review of it yet.) It has the dialogues among the Philosophers debating over the scopes of justice. As a student of his , discombobulated, mulling over his students鈥� philosophical explanation, upon reading Mandela鈥檚 autobiography, it dawned upon me that justice means equality. In other words, I applied understanding The Republic by Aristotle to Mandela鈥檚 book. For instance, for Plato and Socrates, justice is fulfilling one's appropriate role, and consequently giving to the city what is owed.* In a simple way, I want to illustrate the virtue Nelson Mandela believed in my life. I want that life in some aspects is 鈥淔AIR鈥�. That鈥檚 why, without malice, without this air of pride and pompousness, I want to respect people regardless of their skin color , sex , and race ; I respect in action people with deeply-seated religious beliefs despite I have this Richard Dawkins鈥檚 鈥揹esire to change the world; I empathize 鈥渢he destitute鈥� despite that giving alms is not my principle except for 鈥渢he needy鈥�, but bringing them to their senses that capitalism is an evil, that living in this world is consummate 鈥渟urvival of the fittest鈥�.
Mandela applied his rude awakening to equality to understanding the people he got along with . With this belief, he became a freedom fighter, stalwart, determined, humble with undefeated fighting spirit. That was Nelson Mandela, and in the end, despite the travails he had gone through, he made it to his final walk to FREEDOM.
Obviously, my long review of this book indicates my feeling of fulfillment. I am glad that I finished it after a short while. I do not regret having laid it aside on my study table. Just I let the time permit.
Thanks to my student ( Sr. Angela ) for picking it among the books in a book store, without the idea that I had longed to read it ; she had granted my wish. If I were a pantheist, I would exclaim ,鈥漌hat a divine intervention!鈥� ^_^
November 1, 2007
It was an interesting read. Sorry, that's a bit of an understatement and the dry tone in my head doesn't really translate. Mandela is a good, clear writer, but not creative or inventive. One can see the methodical planning that made him such an effective political leader and innovator, but as the author of a 625 page book, his style is a little stiff. The first half of the book is about his upbringing and path into politics. The problem I was having was that there was no way to tell from his formative years how or why he stood apart. Indeed, I would say that as a literary figure, he does not become a leader until after he has been imprisoned for several years, past when he was considered a leader by members of his organization and constituency. Almost as if he needed to be a leader in the eyes of others before he considered himself to be one or truly acted as one. Maybe it is the reality that one cannot lead until after there are people who will follow that lead. I am interested in how he became such a leader in the eyes of the people. What is it about someone that turns them from an ordinary person to a freedom fighter or revolutionary to a true leader, born up by the masses.
I was also comparing the regime of South Africa to those in South America. The ANC and other groups in South Africa had certain advantages which made their form of protest -- the slow-downs, the rallies -- successful and possible, and ironically, the advantages stemmed from the control exercised by the colonial rulers and the legacy of British Imperialism. Mandela could, at times, invoke certain rules of law, and demand that the protesters were treated fairly under the laws. Whatever the laws at the time were (except the very last years where it seems the government learned that if they wanted to get serious about suppressing the people, they could not be hampered by the rule of law), the government would obey them. In contrast, in the South American dictatorships, headed not by imperial forces, there was no rule of law. People simply disappeared. The revolutionaries could not appeal to the court system for justice because the government did not have laws that even nominally protected dissenting voices. One thing Mandela said over and over again was the oppressing party dictated the terms of the struggle. Those who were challenging the government's policies had to respond in the manner in which they were treated. In India, the government allowed protest and dissent, which in turn meant that Ghandi could demonstrate by walking though the country and preaching nonviolence as a means of rejecting colonial rule. In contrast, in South America, a protester could not more begin to speak against the government before being shot, imprisoned or tortured, with no chance of appealing to a higher power for protection. Maybe that is why there were more rebels in countries trying to overturn the dictatorships than there were revolutionaries in the Western understanding of the term.
At the end of the book, when the power was really going to shift and Mandela, in his 80s, was elected president, I actually became more agitated. At what price was his freedom? And what would the people who fought so hard, who died, paying the ultimate price, think? Those who died, would they think their sacrifices worth while, especially because in the end it was through peaceful negotiation and compromise. With the transition away from apartheid being so moderate and their sacrifice being so extreme. Maybe it was the disconnect that struck me so forcefully, that Mandela himself never talks about being tortured or injured in the struggle. Throughout he remains the great statesmen who is untouched by the violence. Those who were tortured, hanged, beaten, or shot, by contrast seem like a corollary, unrelated to the final pressures that forced the government's position to the negotiation table.
I was also comparing the regime of South Africa to those in South America. The ANC and other groups in South Africa had certain advantages which made their form of protest -- the slow-downs, the rallies -- successful and possible, and ironically, the advantages stemmed from the control exercised by the colonial rulers and the legacy of British Imperialism. Mandela could, at times, invoke certain rules of law, and demand that the protesters were treated fairly under the laws. Whatever the laws at the time were (except the very last years where it seems the government learned that if they wanted to get serious about suppressing the people, they could not be hampered by the rule of law), the government would obey them. In contrast, in the South American dictatorships, headed not by imperial forces, there was no rule of law. People simply disappeared. The revolutionaries could not appeal to the court system for justice because the government did not have laws that even nominally protected dissenting voices. One thing Mandela said over and over again was the oppressing party dictated the terms of the struggle. Those who were challenging the government's policies had to respond in the manner in which they were treated. In India, the government allowed protest and dissent, which in turn meant that Ghandi could demonstrate by walking though the country and preaching nonviolence as a means of rejecting colonial rule. In contrast, in South America, a protester could not more begin to speak against the government before being shot, imprisoned or tortured, with no chance of appealing to a higher power for protection. Maybe that is why there were more rebels in countries trying to overturn the dictatorships than there were revolutionaries in the Western understanding of the term.
At the end of the book, when the power was really going to shift and Mandela, in his 80s, was elected president, I actually became more agitated. At what price was his freedom? And what would the people who fought so hard, who died, paying the ultimate price, think? Those who died, would they think their sacrifices worth while, especially because in the end it was through peaceful negotiation and compromise. With the transition away from apartheid being so moderate and their sacrifice being so extreme. Maybe it was the disconnect that struck me so forcefully, that Mandela himself never talks about being tortured or injured in the struggle. Throughout he remains the great statesmen who is untouched by the violence. Those who were tortured, hanged, beaten, or shot, by contrast seem like a corollary, unrelated to the final pressures that forced the government's position to the negotiation table.
January 27, 2013
If we do nothing else for those who suffer for a cause, we must at least bear witness and say, I have seen, and understood.
Many people the world over have waxed prolific and poetic on this book, and all that is left to say is, it is a must-read for anyone who cares about anything at all in this world. This struggle cannot be dismissed as a partisan "engagement". It is not just about apartheid; it is not about fighting a harsh regime; it is not about man's inhumanity to man -- and all that "stuff" that so many readily dismiss, once the book is shelved again.
It is about one man, walking, and holding his head up despite everything that was thrown upon his shoulders. It is how to preserve dignity, strength and integrity -- and have the moral constitution to wake up to it day after day after day, for the entire course of his life. It's easy to maintain a posture for a day or a week or a month; but to hold on to it for a lifetime -- that is a strength that only a very few can maintain.
To emerge out of the darkness of his prison, of his life, and still shine with hope for humanity -- and faith that goodness will prevail -- leaves me speechless.
Many people the world over have waxed prolific and poetic on this book, and all that is left to say is, it is a must-read for anyone who cares about anything at all in this world. This struggle cannot be dismissed as a partisan "engagement". It is not just about apartheid; it is not about fighting a harsh regime; it is not about man's inhumanity to man -- and all that "stuff" that so many readily dismiss, once the book is shelved again.
It is about one man, walking, and holding his head up despite everything that was thrown upon his shoulders. It is how to preserve dignity, strength and integrity -- and have the moral constitution to wake up to it day after day after day, for the entire course of his life. It's easy to maintain a posture for a day or a week or a month; but to hold on to it for a lifetime -- that is a strength that only a very few can maintain.
To emerge out of the darkness of his prison, of his life, and still shine with hope for humanity -- and faith that goodness will prevail -- leaves me speechless.
November 7, 2021
賱賷爻鬲 丕賱毓亘乇丞 亘胤賵賱 丕賱乇丨賱丞 賵賱賰賳 丕賱毓亘乇丞 亘鬲丨賯賷賯 丕賱賴丿賮 .. 乇丨賱丞 賳賷賱爻賵賳 賲丕賳丿賷賱丕 賲賳 兀噩賱 丕賱丨乇賷丞 乇丨賱丞 胤賵賷賱丞 .. 賯丕爻賷丞 .. 賵亘丕賴馗丞 丕賱孬賲賳 .. 丿賮毓 孬賲賳賴丕 爻賳賵丕鬲 胤賵丕賱 賲賳 毓賲乇賴 亘賷賳 噩丿乇丕賳 丕賱爻噩賵賳 .. 賵賱賰賳賴 兀亘丿丕 賱賲 賷賰賳 賲賰鬲賵賮 丕賱兀賷丿賷 兀賵 賲賰賲賲 丕賱賮賲 .. 亘賱 馗賱 賷賳丕囟賱 亘賰賱 賲丕 兀賵鬲賷 賲賳 卮噩丕毓丞 賵賯賵丞 賵廿氐乇丕乇 丨鬲賶 丕爻鬲胤丕毓 兀賳 賷丨賯賯 丨賱賲 丕賱丨乇賷丞 賱卮毓亘賴 賵賷賯囟賷 毓賱賶 賳馗丕賲 丕賱鬲賲賷賷夭 丕賱毓賳氐乇賷 賮賷 亘賱丕丿賴 .. 賵鬲賲 鬲鬲賵賷噩賴 賰兀賵賱 乇卅賷爻 噩賲賴賵乇賷丞 賲賳 丕賱爻賵丿 賮賷 噩賳賵亘 兀賮乇賷賯賷丕 毓丕賲 佟侃侃伽.
"丕賱毓亘賷丿 賮賯胤 賷胤賱亘賵賳 丕賱丨乇賷丞 .. 丕賱兀丨乇丕乇 賷氐賳毓賵賳賴丕"
"賱賷爻 丨乇丕 賲賳 賷賴丕賳 兀賲丕賲賴 廿賳爻丕賳 賵賱丕 賷卮毓乇 亘丕賱廿賴丕賳丞"
"丕賱卮噩丕毓丞 賱賷爻鬲 賴賷 睾賷丕亘 丕賱禺賵賮 賵賱賰賳賴丕 丕賱廿賳鬲氐丕乇 毓賱賷賴"
.
"丕賱毓亘賷丿 賮賯胤 賷胤賱亘賵賳 丕賱丨乇賷丞 .. 丕賱兀丨乇丕乇 賷氐賳毓賵賳賴丕"
"賱賷爻 丨乇丕 賲賳 賷賴丕賳 兀賲丕賲賴 廿賳爻丕賳 賵賱丕 賷卮毓乇 亘丕賱廿賴丕賳丞"
"丕賱卮噩丕毓丞 賱賷爻鬲 賴賷 睾賷丕亘 丕賱禺賵賮 賵賱賰賳賴丕 丕賱廿賳鬲氐丕乇 毓賱賷賴"
.
October 7, 2020
Long Walk to Freedom
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter, I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.
Nelson Mandela
This remarkable autobiography was penned in 1994 several years after apartheid ended and Mandela was elected South Africa鈥檚 President. This is much more of a history book than a typical autobiography. And it is a notably humble portrayal. I can鈥檛 think of any world figures who鈥檝e had a greater influence on the world in my lifetime 鈥� and there are few events in recent times as important as the end of apartheid.
This is a long review and has some spoilers for those who do not know much of Mandela鈥檚 history.
In 1918 Rolilhalha 鈥淣elson鈥� Mandela was born in the small rural village of Mbezo along the Mbashe River in South Africa. He was given his Christian name - Nelson - at the age of seven after his mother sent him away to the Methodist school. After what he called a 鈥榤ischievous鈥� childhood, Mandela would eventually go on to law school and begin a career as a lawyer and political activist for the African National Congress.
For all but last the few years of the 20th century, South Africa was a minority rule British colony. Black Africans could not officially even own property. As landowners the Dutch descended Afrikaners also wielded power, even though they had lost the Second Boer War to the British at the turn of the century.
Much of the wealth in the country came from the gold and diamond mines. The most dangerous jobs in the mines were filled by Black Africans. Mandela himself even worked in the mines briefly. The political situation for Black Africans became even more dire following WW II when the feared Afrikaners filled the ruling class vacuum after Great Britain retreated from many of her colonies including South Africa.
As a ringleader of revolts and with some communist party affiliations the ANC slowly began to diverge from the pacifist ways of Ghandi. Mandela was convicted of various treasonous crimes around organizing and advocating civil rights鈥� today these crimes would barely warrant a few nights in jail. Instead Mandela would spend a total of twenty-seven years in prison, most of his years were on Robben Island and in Johannesburg Prison 鈥� where Gandhi had been jailed some three decades earlier for the same crime of organizing protesters and revolutionaries.
Upon his release in 1993, Mandela was elected as South Africa鈥檚 first African president, capturing 63% of the vote and served until 1999, bringing South Africa through a very difficult period. Mandela died in Johannesburg in 2013 - one of the 20th century鈥檚 most important figures.
The content is broken into eleven parts.
Part One - A Country Childhood - 4.5 stars
In this section, that Mandela wrote while in prison, we see more focus on the natural surroundings than in any other chapter. We learn of the hills and streams in the veld that he wandered through as a child and the village of huts where everyone slept on the ground. He spent many years in Qunu where he stated he spent the 鈥榟appiest years of my boyhood鈥�. His father was a local chief but when he refused to show deference to a British magistrate he lost his land. Eventually, after his father dies penniless, young Nelson is raised by a more prominent chief and Nelson is educated at the Methodist school. Very few people in his village were literate, so this education gives him a real advantage even in divided South Africa. He then attends college at Fort Hare, the only institution of higher learning for Black Africans in South Africa. It is here that he learns about the African National Congress which will shape much of his life trajectory.
Part Two - Johannesburg - 3.5 stars
Mandela studies law at the University of Witwatersrand and learns even more about class distinction and discrimination. This is during the second world war. He makes many friends including Indian students, who are also heavily discriminated against. They are fighting for many of the same rights that Gandhi had fought for in South Africa some thirty years earlier. Very short section. I thought it could have been contained with the next section.
Part Three - Birth of a Freedom Fighter - 4 stars
Mandela begins his law practice and becomes a key figure in the ANC. When the Dutch Afrikaners win the election after World War II, apartheid begins and Mandela and his friends become very concerned about the future of the country.
Part Four - The Struggle is My Life - 4.5 stars
Mandela fights for liberation and delivers many speeches. He and the ANC are affiliating with the Communist party and the Indian Congress. He organizes national boycotts. The ANC and Mandela become enemy number one and the Afrikaner government passes numerous anti-sedition laws. Riots and government massacres become more commonplace.
Part Five - Treason - 5 stars
On December 5, 1956 Mandela is arrested at his home outside of Johannesburg in front of his children. The charge is high treason. One hundred and fifty six Africans are arrested. Mandela is transferred to the Johannesburg Prison and eventually released on bail. It takes the government three years to try the case. Meanwhile many protests, conflicts and massacres shake the country.
In 1959, the Sharpeville massacre kills sixty-nine Africans and wounded 400. The police panicked when protestors surrounded the station and fired over 700 bullets. The government is on edge.
Eventually the court rules that the prosecution had failed to prove that the ANC had acquired or adopted a policy to overthrow the state by violence. Mandela and others are acquitted but not vindicated.
Part Six - The Black Pimpernel - 4.5 stars
Mandela goes underground as he expects the government to charge him with different crimes. He travels to other African countries, learns about their progress toward independence. He also accepts money for the South Africa branch of the ANC. He learns about guerrilla warfare. Although he does not participate in any of these revolutions, he learns and writes about the organizational aspects of revolutions. This is what lands him in hot water 鈥� again.
Part Seven - Rivonia 4 stars
In August 1962 Mandela is taken into custody when he returns to South Africa. He is again charged with treason and this time the government has evidence. His private papers indicate the ANC is plotting a revolution. He admits to some of the charges around sabotage not treason. It is not a lengthy trial and although the death penalty is in play, the world鈥檚 eyes are on the case. In November Nelson and his compatriots are convicted and Judge Quartus de Wet, concerned about the negative attention, spares Nelson鈥檚 and the others lives with a sentence of life in prison. The prisoners are relieved as they know there is a chance that they will eventually be freed. They had no idea of how long they would end up waiting.
Part Eight - Robben Island: The Dark Years - 5 stars.
Now sentenced as a man in his forties, Mandela is assigned to serve his time at Robben Island near Capetown. This prison becomes a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. Despite the harsh conditions and forced labor in the rock quarry, Mandela makes many friends amongst his fellow inmates. He also uses his fame to avoid some of the worst abuses and debasement from the prison guards. Despite his age these are formative years for Mandela and his resolve only hardens.
Part Nine - Robben Island: Beginning to Hope 4.5 stars.
Over time some of the harshest measures at Robben Island are removed but prisoners are still banned from reading any newspapers. Instead the rumors of the unrest in South Africa and anti-apartheid views around the world filter into the prison through visitors and even guards. This gives the prisoners hope. In 1982 Mandela and several of his compatriots are told they are being moved to Pollsmoor Prison outside of Cape Town.
Part Ten - Talking with the Enemy 5 stars.
Pollsmoor Prison is more modern than Robben Island, but it lacks the beauty of Robben Island. Mandela had just spent the previous nineteen years of his life there and leaving is difficult for him. At Pollsmoor the prisoners are connected to outside events and are allowed to read newspapers. A lot of civil unrest is happening in South Africa including bombings connected to a more radical group called MK and in turn radical right wing groups affiliated with the ruling party are sending mail bombs to anti-apartheid activists. By the late eighties, the prison captain and warden take Mandela for drives out into the countryside and treat him somewhat respectfully, as if to assess his mental state and prepare him for release into society. Of course the first time this happens, Mandela does not know if they mean to kill him or trick him into escaping as he was still a prisoner. In 1987 Mandela is diagnosed with tuberculosis that he picks up in prison and the prison officials became very concerned. They bring in medical professionals from the government and transfer him to Cape Town where he was quickly operated on him and receives the best medical care. When de Klerk takes over in 1990, Mandela is brought into private discussions with the government around apartheid.
Part Eleven - Freedom 5 stars
This was a chapter where Mandela shows a great deal of restraint and humility. This chapter is a little rushed 鈥� the later events happen just months before the book is published. Mandela by this time has millions of followers in South Africa and around the world so the pressures are great on the government to release the political prisoners. In January 1990 President Botha, an avowed racist and adversary of majority rule government, resigns due to illness but the speculation is that he recognizes which way the country is headed. By the next month February 2 1990, the new President de Klerk signs an agreement officially ending apartheid in South Africa which had been in place since 1948. Nine days later de Klerk releases Mandela from prison and wipes his record clean. Mandela does not want to be released from prison until he can make arrangements to say goodbye to everyone. De Klerk refuses but does remove the ban on the ANC and other political groups and allows Mandela to return to Cape Town City Hall and the Grand Parade. Mandela addresses a crowd in excess of 100,000 people. Many including Mandela鈥檚 driver are overwhelmed by the size of the crowd. Mandela tells him not to panic as they weave through the raucous crowds to City Hall where he gives his famous speech on freedom and unity.
Even though they are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly, Mandela doesn鈥檛 much care for de Klerk and in the later presidential debate in 1994 鈥� de Klerk now his opponent 鈥� Mandela acknowledges the debt of gratitude he owes de Klerk and says they will get through this together. This is a brilliant strategic move and once more Mandela is seen as a unifier. A month later in May 1994, Mandela is elected President of South Africa with nearly 63% of the popular vote. De Klerk later serves as his deputy. All told this chapter could have been much longer, but the good news is that every sentence is a moment in history.
Overall the pacing in this book is quite even. The last four chapters including the prison years, were easily the most captivating for me. I was struck by how many words and photographs in the book were about Mandela鈥檚 friends from prison. There is a poignant picture of Mandela and his friend Walter Sisulu standing together as old men - they are smiling and giving the Afrika salute. They had spent over two decades in prison together fighting apartheid and Mandela never forgot this time.
5 stars. Highly recommended.
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter, I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.
Nelson Mandela
This remarkable autobiography was penned in 1994 several years after apartheid ended and Mandela was elected South Africa鈥檚 President. This is much more of a history book than a typical autobiography. And it is a notably humble portrayal. I can鈥檛 think of any world figures who鈥檝e had a greater influence on the world in my lifetime 鈥� and there are few events in recent times as important as the end of apartheid.
This is a long review and has some spoilers for those who do not know much of Mandela鈥檚 history.
In 1918 Rolilhalha 鈥淣elson鈥� Mandela was born in the small rural village of Mbezo along the Mbashe River in South Africa. He was given his Christian name - Nelson - at the age of seven after his mother sent him away to the Methodist school. After what he called a 鈥榤ischievous鈥� childhood, Mandela would eventually go on to law school and begin a career as a lawyer and political activist for the African National Congress.
For all but last the few years of the 20th century, South Africa was a minority rule British colony. Black Africans could not officially even own property. As landowners the Dutch descended Afrikaners also wielded power, even though they had lost the Second Boer War to the British at the turn of the century.
Much of the wealth in the country came from the gold and diamond mines. The most dangerous jobs in the mines were filled by Black Africans. Mandela himself even worked in the mines briefly. The political situation for Black Africans became even more dire following WW II when the feared Afrikaners filled the ruling class vacuum after Great Britain retreated from many of her colonies including South Africa.
As a ringleader of revolts and with some communist party affiliations the ANC slowly began to diverge from the pacifist ways of Ghandi. Mandela was convicted of various treasonous crimes around organizing and advocating civil rights鈥� today these crimes would barely warrant a few nights in jail. Instead Mandela would spend a total of twenty-seven years in prison, most of his years were on Robben Island and in Johannesburg Prison 鈥� where Gandhi had been jailed some three decades earlier for the same crime of organizing protesters and revolutionaries.
Upon his release in 1993, Mandela was elected as South Africa鈥檚 first African president, capturing 63% of the vote and served until 1999, bringing South Africa through a very difficult period. Mandela died in Johannesburg in 2013 - one of the 20th century鈥檚 most important figures.
The content is broken into eleven parts.
Part One - A Country Childhood - 4.5 stars
In this section, that Mandela wrote while in prison, we see more focus on the natural surroundings than in any other chapter. We learn of the hills and streams in the veld that he wandered through as a child and the village of huts where everyone slept on the ground. He spent many years in Qunu where he stated he spent the 鈥榟appiest years of my boyhood鈥�. His father was a local chief but when he refused to show deference to a British magistrate he lost his land. Eventually, after his father dies penniless, young Nelson is raised by a more prominent chief and Nelson is educated at the Methodist school. Very few people in his village were literate, so this education gives him a real advantage even in divided South Africa. He then attends college at Fort Hare, the only institution of higher learning for Black Africans in South Africa. It is here that he learns about the African National Congress which will shape much of his life trajectory.
Part Two - Johannesburg - 3.5 stars
Mandela studies law at the University of Witwatersrand and learns even more about class distinction and discrimination. This is during the second world war. He makes many friends including Indian students, who are also heavily discriminated against. They are fighting for many of the same rights that Gandhi had fought for in South Africa some thirty years earlier. Very short section. I thought it could have been contained with the next section.
Part Three - Birth of a Freedom Fighter - 4 stars
Mandela begins his law practice and becomes a key figure in the ANC. When the Dutch Afrikaners win the election after World War II, apartheid begins and Mandela and his friends become very concerned about the future of the country.
Part Four - The Struggle is My Life - 4.5 stars
Mandela fights for liberation and delivers many speeches. He and the ANC are affiliating with the Communist party and the Indian Congress. He organizes national boycotts. The ANC and Mandela become enemy number one and the Afrikaner government passes numerous anti-sedition laws. Riots and government massacres become more commonplace.
Part Five - Treason - 5 stars
On December 5, 1956 Mandela is arrested at his home outside of Johannesburg in front of his children. The charge is high treason. One hundred and fifty six Africans are arrested. Mandela is transferred to the Johannesburg Prison and eventually released on bail. It takes the government three years to try the case. Meanwhile many protests, conflicts and massacres shake the country.
In 1959, the Sharpeville massacre kills sixty-nine Africans and wounded 400. The police panicked when protestors surrounded the station and fired over 700 bullets. The government is on edge.
Eventually the court rules that the prosecution had failed to prove that the ANC had acquired or adopted a policy to overthrow the state by violence. Mandela and others are acquitted but not vindicated.
Part Six - The Black Pimpernel - 4.5 stars
Mandela goes underground as he expects the government to charge him with different crimes. He travels to other African countries, learns about their progress toward independence. He also accepts money for the South Africa branch of the ANC. He learns about guerrilla warfare. Although he does not participate in any of these revolutions, he learns and writes about the organizational aspects of revolutions. This is what lands him in hot water 鈥� again.
Part Seven - Rivonia 4 stars
In August 1962 Mandela is taken into custody when he returns to South Africa. He is again charged with treason and this time the government has evidence. His private papers indicate the ANC is plotting a revolution. He admits to some of the charges around sabotage not treason. It is not a lengthy trial and although the death penalty is in play, the world鈥檚 eyes are on the case. In November Nelson and his compatriots are convicted and Judge Quartus de Wet, concerned about the negative attention, spares Nelson鈥檚 and the others lives with a sentence of life in prison. The prisoners are relieved as they know there is a chance that they will eventually be freed. They had no idea of how long they would end up waiting.
Part Eight - Robben Island: The Dark Years - 5 stars.
Now sentenced as a man in his forties, Mandela is assigned to serve his time at Robben Island near Capetown. This prison becomes a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. Despite the harsh conditions and forced labor in the rock quarry, Mandela makes many friends amongst his fellow inmates. He also uses his fame to avoid some of the worst abuses and debasement from the prison guards. Despite his age these are formative years for Mandela and his resolve only hardens.
Part Nine - Robben Island: Beginning to Hope 4.5 stars.
Over time some of the harshest measures at Robben Island are removed but prisoners are still banned from reading any newspapers. Instead the rumors of the unrest in South Africa and anti-apartheid views around the world filter into the prison through visitors and even guards. This gives the prisoners hope. In 1982 Mandela and several of his compatriots are told they are being moved to Pollsmoor Prison outside of Cape Town.
Part Ten - Talking with the Enemy 5 stars.
Pollsmoor Prison is more modern than Robben Island, but it lacks the beauty of Robben Island. Mandela had just spent the previous nineteen years of his life there and leaving is difficult for him. At Pollsmoor the prisoners are connected to outside events and are allowed to read newspapers. A lot of civil unrest is happening in South Africa including bombings connected to a more radical group called MK and in turn radical right wing groups affiliated with the ruling party are sending mail bombs to anti-apartheid activists. By the late eighties, the prison captain and warden take Mandela for drives out into the countryside and treat him somewhat respectfully, as if to assess his mental state and prepare him for release into society. Of course the first time this happens, Mandela does not know if they mean to kill him or trick him into escaping as he was still a prisoner. In 1987 Mandela is diagnosed with tuberculosis that he picks up in prison and the prison officials became very concerned. They bring in medical professionals from the government and transfer him to Cape Town where he was quickly operated on him and receives the best medical care. When de Klerk takes over in 1990, Mandela is brought into private discussions with the government around apartheid.
Part Eleven - Freedom 5 stars
This was a chapter where Mandela shows a great deal of restraint and humility. This chapter is a little rushed 鈥� the later events happen just months before the book is published. Mandela by this time has millions of followers in South Africa and around the world so the pressures are great on the government to release the political prisoners. In January 1990 President Botha, an avowed racist and adversary of majority rule government, resigns due to illness but the speculation is that he recognizes which way the country is headed. By the next month February 2 1990, the new President de Klerk signs an agreement officially ending apartheid in South Africa which had been in place since 1948. Nine days later de Klerk releases Mandela from prison and wipes his record clean. Mandela does not want to be released from prison until he can make arrangements to say goodbye to everyone. De Klerk refuses but does remove the ban on the ANC and other political groups and allows Mandela to return to Cape Town City Hall and the Grand Parade. Mandela addresses a crowd in excess of 100,000 people. Many including Mandela鈥檚 driver are overwhelmed by the size of the crowd. Mandela tells him not to panic as they weave through the raucous crowds to City Hall where he gives his famous speech on freedom and unity.
Even though they are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly, Mandela doesn鈥檛 much care for de Klerk and in the later presidential debate in 1994 鈥� de Klerk now his opponent 鈥� Mandela acknowledges the debt of gratitude he owes de Klerk and says they will get through this together. This is a brilliant strategic move and once more Mandela is seen as a unifier. A month later in May 1994, Mandela is elected President of South Africa with nearly 63% of the popular vote. De Klerk later serves as his deputy. All told this chapter could have been much longer, but the good news is that every sentence is a moment in history.
Overall the pacing in this book is quite even. The last four chapters including the prison years, were easily the most captivating for me. I was struck by how many words and photographs in the book were about Mandela鈥檚 friends from prison. There is a poignant picture of Mandela and his friend Walter Sisulu standing together as old men - they are smiling and giving the Afrika salute. They had spent over two decades in prison together fighting apartheid and Mandela never forgot this time.
5 stars. Highly recommended.
July 17, 2010
I bought this book in January and didn't get around to reading it until March. I was at a Goodwill 50% off sale the day I got this and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it.
As someone who has strong roots in South Africa but has never been there I am always eager to learn more about the country my father and his family were born in particularly because my father and his family left South Africa in the 40's to escape the apartheid even though they were "coloured" and not "black" it still impacted them.
I hadn't read an autobiography or biography since I was younger and I knew that even though I'm a quick reader that this book would take me a while to read due to the tone.
I'm quite impressed with Mandela's story telling ability. He narrates his life flawlessly in a way that is easy to read and understand. It was informative and I enjoyed learning things from his perspective. I quite enjoyed the part at the start of the book where he talks about his childhood and his family.
This book had no downsides for me. He's a truly inspirational man who deserves praise for being one of the people who helped build the New South Africa. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to expand their horizons and read a book about one of the most inspirational people ever.
As someone who has strong roots in South Africa but has never been there I am always eager to learn more about the country my father and his family were born in particularly because my father and his family left South Africa in the 40's to escape the apartheid even though they were "coloured" and not "black" it still impacted them.
I hadn't read an autobiography or biography since I was younger and I knew that even though I'm a quick reader that this book would take me a while to read due to the tone.
I'm quite impressed with Mandela's story telling ability. He narrates his life flawlessly in a way that is easy to read and understand. It was informative and I enjoyed learning things from his perspective. I quite enjoyed the part at the start of the book where he talks about his childhood and his family.
This book had no downsides for me. He's a truly inspirational man who deserves praise for being one of the people who helped build the New South Africa. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to expand their horizons and read a book about one of the most inspirational people ever.
May 22, 2007
What do I really have to say? :-) I read this before the first time I went to South Africa and fell in love with the country...hence two return trips! I had some amazing experiences during the pr days and one was a private tour of Robben Island with Ahmed Kathrada while in SA. He was imprisoned with and a close friend of Mandela's (one of eight sentenced to life imprisonment during the Rivonia Trial). Anyway, obviously it was amazing since he knew EVERYTHING about the time and place (he was there afterall), but reading this book before then allowed me to be much more knowledgeable about the politics of the time and more importantly, the life of such an extraodinary man. Though my anger did boil at times due to the injustice of what was happening, this book is 100% inspiration. I just could not put it down. I think it was like 800 pages or more, and I read it in two days, staying up all night! And to top it off, I met Mandela only a few days later at an event he hosted and it was one of very few times in my life that I was in complete awe!
May 28, 2008
I learned (as if I didn't already know) that I am one slack m*^&rf&*ker, and this is the perfect book to read if you need some motivation to get off your ass and/or get over yourself.
There are also a lot of fascinating things about his story that i didn't know -he grew up literally barefoot in the bush, bailed on being a tribal councilor and ran away from home, and a lot of interesting ins and outs of how african consciousness developed in SA the 60s and 70s, plus tips on how to keep yourself motivated and entertained if you ever end up in jail. Considering the current state of this country this could turn out to be very useful info if we all wind up in gitmo! :)
Overall I'd say enlightening, inspiring, interesting.
There are also a lot of fascinating things about his story that i didn't know -he grew up literally barefoot in the bush, bailed on being a tribal councilor and ran away from home, and a lot of interesting ins and outs of how african consciousness developed in SA the 60s and 70s, plus tips on how to keep yourself motivated and entertained if you ever end up in jail. Considering the current state of this country this could turn out to be very useful info if we all wind up in gitmo! :)
Overall I'd say enlightening, inspiring, interesting.
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