Scan barcode
nikread84's review against another edition
3.0
There was a lot of information in this tiny package. Other than Mandela, I didn't feel an emotional connection to any of the characters. The story was written as a report - a factual representation of what happened, more than a story to get drawn into. Overall, I found it very dry and thought "Invictus" (the movie) did a better job with the story.
lanna_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
4.0
I saw two really good sports movies that were based on best-selling books this December. The first one, The Blind Side, I'm still waiting on my turn to get it from the library. Luckily, I went out and saw Invictus shortly after it opened and was able to get my hands on a copy of the book it was based off before they all disappeared.
Playing the Enemy is so much more than a story about sports, which is why it's so compelling, and why it's so hard for me to get my head around it. I've always been a huge sports fan and will look for any reason to justify my obsession, but this book is the ode to how sports can bring people together. Only a year before the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the nation of South Africa was on the brink of civil war. The age of apartheid was officially over and a new popularly elected government had been installed, but how could years of state-sponsored discrimination turn quickly and peacefully into a stable popularly elected government, without devolving into state-sponsored vengeance?
To understand how Nelson Mandela managed to use a sport that had been one of the greatest symbols of white oppression to unite his country, the story starts during his early days as a lawyer in the ANC, through his time in prison at Robben Island and other institutions on the way to his eventual release and election as President of South Africa.
The book also takes more time than the movie to look at the individuals who made up the rugby team and their political journeys on the way to the unifying World Cup Finals. There's still very little explained about rugby, but even a n00b like me could follow along just fine. Really the focus of this book are all the individuals who chose Mandela's path to reconciliation over the other more violent options offered in the post-apartheid era, making it more a story of South African's ability to heal and move beyond the terrors of their past.
Since I was a bit of news and politics nerd as a kid, it surprised me how much of the South African story was new to me, especially this very important chapter framed around the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Once I get done being surprised, though, I'll probably be able to tell you that this was a wonderful book.
Playing the Enemy is so much more than a story about sports, which is why it's so compelling, and why it's so hard for me to get my head around it. I've always been a huge sports fan and will look for any reason to justify my obsession, but this book is the ode to how sports can bring people together. Only a year before the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the nation of South Africa was on the brink of civil war. The age of apartheid was officially over and a new popularly elected government had been installed, but how could years of state-sponsored discrimination turn quickly and peacefully into a stable popularly elected government, without devolving into state-sponsored vengeance?
To understand how Nelson Mandela managed to use a sport that had been one of the greatest symbols of white oppression to unite his country, the story starts during his early days as a lawyer in the ANC, through his time in prison at Robben Island and other institutions on the way to his eventual release and election as President of South Africa.
The book also takes more time than the movie to look at the individuals who made up the rugby team and their political journeys on the way to the unifying World Cup Finals. There's still very little explained about rugby, but even a n00b like me could follow along just fine. Really the focus of this book are all the individuals who chose Mandela's path to reconciliation over the other more violent options offered in the post-apartheid era, making it more a story of South African's ability to heal and move beyond the terrors of their past.
Since I was a bit of news and politics nerd as a kid, it surprised me how much of the South African story was new to me, especially this very important chapter framed around the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Once I get done being surprised, though, I'll probably be able to tell you that this was a wonderful book.
jongaide's review against another edition
5.0
Captivating read providing insight and many parallels to the racial discrimination in America today
jkfugitt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great narrative on the happenings in South Africa. The author talks to all sides surrounding Nelson Mandela's presidency, before and during. As well as what he was able to do with the people of that nation as apartheid moved to a democratic government. Just as good as the movie, perhaps even more so. I definitely recommend it and the movie, titled "Invictus".
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
This book is both inspiring and boring. If you want to know about how South Africa was able to avert THE civil war that all the experts proclaimed was inevitable then read this book. If you want to know about rugby and the game then don't read this book. This book is a "paean" to Nelson Mandela, who was truly the right man at the right time in the right place. Mandela makes Clinton and Reagan look like lightweights with his ability to charm,rebound, and chart the right course at critical decision points. He completely disarmed his jailers and the Afrikaner culture with not only his political savvy but his humanity. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now and reading more about Mandela.
nacho_boo's review against another edition
5.0
Looking forward to the reread! Great for rugby, African history for the casual reader, and Nelson Mandela fans!
julie_bonjour's review against another edition
3.0
John Carlin writes at the beginning of the book that he wanted to write an « unapologetically positive story » and this book is most definitely that. While it’s probably not very objective, it’s a good introduction to the history of apartheid in South Africa. I learned a lot and it piqued my interest enough that’ll I’ll be looking for more books on the subject to read.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
5.0
Fiquei absolutamente fascinada por esta narrativa, que me mostrou um lado da história do fim do apartheid que eu não conhecia, e me faz admirar mais ainda um dos maiores líderes da humanidade, Nelson Mandela.
ncalv05's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25