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lisa_mcbookface's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
lilreaderbug's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
The book dragged a little bit in the first third, when it went into the history of South Africa's political parties. However, overall provided a lot of insight into working with others even when you disagree on extremely morally charged issues.
joyceontheroad's review
5.0
The book describes one of the greatest men in South African history. I picked up the book various times, however take the time to read this. An absolute must read!
Mandela knows how to write with a sublime sense of humor over incredibly harsh and serious matters. It highlights the struggles of Anti-Apartheid during the Apartheid. The book, and the issues highlighted, is still accurate to this day. It took me back to my time living in South Africa and resembles how a great man in rooted in South African society.
Mandela knows how to write with a sublime sense of humor over incredibly harsh and serious matters. It highlights the struggles of Anti-Apartheid during the Apartheid. The book, and the issues highlighted, is still accurate to this day. It took me back to my time living in South Africa and resembles how a great man in rooted in South African society.
courageousciarano's review
5.0
Mandela regarded education as a powerful weapon to change the world. This is what aroused me at first to begin exploring his autobiography. While I would not agree 100% with the political views of Nelson Mandela, what I garnered from this book was a deep appreciation of his desire for peace and reconciliation.
susani_'s review
5.0
My Lord, what a book!
This book depicts the harsh realities of living in the Apartheid South Africa! Imagine living in a country where you are denied basic human rights, been told you are less because of your skin colour. The scary thing is that South Africa was not the only country with this sort of system.
Nonetheless, Nelson Mandela's book is truly beautiful, honest, raw, emotional and makes you see that you should never stop fighting against what is wrong. He is a true testament to courage, bravery and a man who sacrificed his freedom for the freedom of South Africa.
Amazing book!
This book depicts the harsh realities of living in the Apartheid South Africa! Imagine living in a country where you are denied basic human rights, been told you are less because of your skin colour. The scary thing is that South Africa was not the only country with this sort of system.
Nonetheless, Nelson Mandela's book is truly beautiful, honest, raw, emotional and makes you see that you should never stop fighting against what is wrong. He is a true testament to courage, bravery and a man who sacrificed his freedom for the freedom of South Africa.
Amazing book!
branev's review
5.0
Inspiring, persistent and amazingly dedicated person, Nelson Mandela walks to freedom in an engulfing way. The tough years of the apartheid and the repulsive indignities of the racist ways of the government in South Africa during the 20th century has called for the birth of a pantheon of heroes. Mandela, Sisulu, Tambo and many others are turned into fighters because of the injustice they see all around them. Even though they are not slaves as per se, their work, life and existence is diminished as this is perceived as the way to go.
What was really interesting for me was to draw a parallel of using Ghandian actions in India vs other places. What has succeeded in India (svaraj and the movement for non-violent protests) has totally crashed in South Africa. This led to the birth of local guerrilla movement. It still could not overcome the challenge, either. A combination of bright minds, timely decisions and insane persistence has done it and this book goes in the details through the eyes of one of the main participants - Nelson Mandela.
I love biographies but I am very careful about autobiographies, as they are written with certain bias. Nevertheless, the "Long Walk To Freedom" is very well written and very detailed. It is a must-read for anyone who is in history and wants to understand as much as possible about the vivid political and philosophical climate of the past century via the apartheid and the problems of one of the biggest ex-imperial-colonies.
What was really interesting for me was to draw a parallel of using Ghandian actions in India vs other places. What has succeeded in India (svaraj and the movement for non-violent protests) has totally crashed in South Africa. This led to the birth of local guerrilla movement. It still could not overcome the challenge, either. A combination of bright minds, timely decisions and insane persistence has done it and this book goes in the details through the eyes of one of the main participants - Nelson Mandela.
I love biographies but I am very careful about autobiographies, as they are written with certain bias. Nevertheless, the "Long Walk To Freedom" is very well written and very detailed. It is a must-read for anyone who is in history and wants to understand as much as possible about the vivid political and philosophical climate of the past century via the apartheid and the problems of one of the biggest ex-imperial-colonies.
evajean1234's review
5.0
cannot stress how much i feel like people should read this book — an example of a really well-done memoir. originally read for class but would reread again in a heartbeat