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Mandela: In Celebration of a Great Life
The measure of politicians is not their words but what they do to improve the lives of their people. A successful lawyer, Nelson Mandela sacrificed career, family and freedom to pursue an extravagant ideal: a non-racist, non-sexist future for a nation apparently determined to remain divided. At his release, after almost three decades in jail, he could have pursued narrow interests; the world would have supported him. Instead, he publicly embraced reconciliation and social justice. Nelson Mandela was determined to free not just black South Africans, but all South Africans, from prejudice. And it was in daring to do the unexpected, in weathering criticism from friends, in reaching out to enemies and in acknowledging the most humble that his greatness was revealed. Charlene Smith traces the life of a great statesman and tells how Nelson Mandela repaired the torn heart of a wounded nation.
- GenresBiography
172 pages, Hardcover
First published April 13, 1999
About the author
Charlene Smith
39 books15 followersCharlene Smith, a South African-born United States citizen worked as a political journalist in South Africa, Japan, Argentina, and the USA. A powerful writer with an empathetic heart, Smith is respected globally for her writing and her voluntary work around HIV and AIDS, gender violence and sex trafficking.
She has been a guest of the Swedish government twice, and the Australian government once. She has been profiled twice by Time magazine, once each by CBS 60 Minutes, ABC 20/20, BBC often, Le Monde, etc.
In the mid-1980s she resigned her work as a journalist to become active against apartheid. As such she has unique access to South Africa’s liberation leaders and a close and respectful friendship with such icons as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Her international bestselling book, Mandela: In Celebration of a Great Life has also been translated into Mandarin.
Her first book, Robben Island went into its 14th reprint in 2017.
A recognized international expert on HIV and AIDS as well as gender violence she speaks at conferences around the world and influenced the Centers for Disease Control decision to write a protocol for post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual assault. She has worked extensively, as a volunteer, with those incarcerated on death row or among lifers.
She teaches writing in Massachusetts and online. She is often asked to teach writing at schools, colleges and financial or research institutions in the U.K., South Africa, and U.S.A.
She has been a guest of the Swedish government twice, and the Australian government once. She has been profiled twice by Time magazine, once each by CBS 60 Minutes, ABC 20/20, BBC often, Le Monde, etc.
In the mid-1980s she resigned her work as a journalist to become active against apartheid. As such she has unique access to South Africa’s liberation leaders and a close and respectful friendship with such icons as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Her international bestselling book, Mandela: In Celebration of a Great Life has also been translated into Mandarin.
Her first book, Robben Island went into its 14th reprint in 2017.
A recognized international expert on HIV and AIDS as well as gender violence she speaks at conferences around the world and influenced the Centers for Disease Control decision to write a protocol for post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual assault. She has worked extensively, as a volunteer, with those incarcerated on death row or among lifers.
She teaches writing in Massachusetts and online. She is often asked to teach writing at schools, colleges and financial or research institutions in the U.K., South Africa, and U.S.A.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 19, 2018
A quick read that was very enlightening.
December 21, 2021
3.5💥
Potrayed in great pics
Not much captivating, in parts.
Actually i should have read a long to freedom
I'm not much aware of history
Potrayed in great pics
Not much captivating, in parts.
Actually i should have read a long to freedom
I'm not much aware of history
January 17, 2013
In my graduate work as a history student at Oxford, I read many biographies of world leaders. This one stands out as the definitive biography of not only a great leader, Nelson Mandela, but also as the standard to which other biographers aspire.
As Ms. Smith writes, she had unparalleled access to Mandiba, allowing her incredible insight into this complex and fascinating man. The photos add greatly to the depth of this book. Her writing is fluid and graceful.
Without doubt, Charlene Smith is the preeminent author on Mandela. This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in South African history, Mandela, or world affairs.
As Ms. Smith writes, she had unparalleled access to Mandiba, allowing her incredible insight into this complex and fascinating man. The photos add greatly to the depth of this book. Her writing is fluid and graceful.
Without doubt, Charlene Smith is the preeminent author on Mandela. This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in South African history, Mandela, or world affairs.
January 12, 2013
By far the best book I have read on Nelson Mandela. I struggled to put it down.
June 11, 2011
I am at present updating this book, should be on shelves by December 2011
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews