Long Walk to Freedom: Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the length
Review: I was required to read Long Walk to Freedom for a class in school. I had heard from students who were previously required to read the book that it was too long, and very bad. I did not go into this book with high expectations, which made Long Walk to Freedom a pleasant surprise.

Written by Nelson Mandela over the course of several years, beginning with a first draft written in prison (which was lost to authorities), the book covers each stage of Nelson's life. Beginning with his early childhood in an African tribe, through his education and career as one of the first black lawyers of Africa, and eventually his decision to join the famed political party, the African National Congress, where Nelson began his struggle for equal rights for his people. From there Nelson goes on to describe his life fighting for the freedom of the native people of Africa. Harassed and 'banned' by the authorities for his actions, Mr. Mandela's struggle is not an easy one. He would be put on trial three separate times for crimes stemming from his political views, his third trial landing him a life sentence. But with Nelson's natural resiliency in bad situations, and nations all over the world calling for his release, he did not fear spending the rest of his life in prison. His years spent in prison would be long and hard, but he knew upon his release that the long walk to freedom would near an end.

The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela is written well, and its length is not of issue, especially when taking into account how expansive the story of his life really is. The pacing of the story is actually very well done, years are written away in a few pages without anything seeming to be missed. In my opinion, even if this book had the worst writing of any novel, it would still be worth reading; its story holds so much importance and teaches so much about so many aspects of life, that it would lose nothing.

Long Walk to Freedom leaves one feeling refreshed; if the racist policies of the government of an entire nation can be taken down by a group of common citizens, perhaps there is hope for reform in any nation that is going through a period of strife.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Long Walk Indeed.
Review: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela is in no way an adventurous book, but it is one of the most inspirational and motivating books ever. Since the book's release in February of 1990, Nelson Mandela has been referred to as the most significant moral leader since Gandhi. Long Walk to Freedom describes Mandela's incredible life. Nelson's childhood was a tribal one, as he grew up a foster son to a Thembu chief. Mandela was interested in law, but his growing political life moved him to become more actively engaged in the formation of the ANC Youth League. In 1964 Nelson was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment on the charges of sabotage, treason, and violent conspiracy against the South African regime. Mandela for the next 27 years was imprisoned at Robben Island. After getting out of prison, Mandela was years behind the rest of the world, but that didn't stop him from being the savior of his people. Many of the concepts and terms in this book were hard to understand. After going over them a few times though, things started to make sense to me and all of his thoughts and experiences became one big lesson. Mandela had many stories about his imprisonment that could have been left out, but how he was imprisoned doing mindless things and at the same time starting one of the greatest activist groups ever was just amazing. Mandela never did really lose sight of his ultimate goal. It wasn't till I picked up Nelson Mandela's book that I really found out what went on, and what he went though to free his people. Long Walk to Freedom is a really long walk indeed, but I recommend this book to anyone because it is a walk that everyone should take.

Rating:
Summary: Enormously impressive
Review: This book is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, one of the true heroes of our times. The book was largely written during his imprisonment on Robben Island and describes his development from an average student to one of the world's most respected leaders.

It gives important insights into the decisions he made and had to make both as a human being and as a political leader.
Mr. Mandela's biggest accomplishment is of course his ability to return from a 27-year imprisonment mentally unbroken and without an overwhelming feeling of revenge, a truly superhuman accomplishment in the view of all the actions the white minority government undertook to make his life miserable.

The common denominator in all his actions is a very highly developed sense of justice: from his decision to study law to his rise through the ranks of the ANC. Even the decision to revert from peaceful action to armed guerilla combat becomes understandable.

A truly important book, which is, after a rather tough beginning, a very smooth and entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: The Story of a Hero
Review: This book was truly amazing. I found myself observing Mandela's actions like a student, attentive to his process and noting his moments of success.
The writing was deeply personal, and yet, I loved how he would politely omit personal details that would strike at the honor of Winnie. I still question her poor publicity as I read of her undying support for Nelson, the committment to her family burdens carried in solitaire while Nelson remained imprisoned.
This same honor and respect for other humans forged his deep committment to the liberation struggle. He never once forgot his true purpose in leading his people. He felt deeply the slights on anyone's freedom, be it man or woman, black or white.
I also valued the insights into South African history. It gave me a whole new perspective on how the South African nation has developed in the world of contemporary democracy. Within the democractic framework, it was interesting to consider the affect of the media on society, at home and abroad. Especially to look at what America and the UK were doing while South Africa worked though apartheid.
This is a well-rounded, well-written and profoundly personal autobiography. READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: This book is well worth of my shelf space.
Review: You should read, at least, a book or two about biographies of such noble people as Nelson Mandela, whose lives have been a blessing to the world. This was a great inspirational book and helped me to realize how simple and small things in life could bring so much joy into one's life. Far too often, I personally take simple pleasures of life for granted. The freedom is not free and the book cites how the freedom is brought at the expense of sacrifices of our fathers. The book is very well written and what impresses me is Nelson Mandela's mastery of English language.