Nelson Mandela: The Man and the Movement

by Mary Benson

Traces the life of the South African civil rights activist and describes his election as South Africa's first Black president. Nelson Mandela became a legend in his own lifetime. The son of a chief, he qualified as a lawyer, then was one of the leaders of the African National Congress whose long, heroic struggle against the infamous system of Apartheid is vividly described in this biography. Accused of treason by the South African government, Mandela was incarcerated for twenty-seven years, years in which he was honored as the world’s most famous political prisoner. Mary Benson follows his political and philosophical development as well as his personal life. The fascinating story of Mandela’s delicate negotiations with the government, leading to the release of fellow prisoners and to his own dramatic emergence from prison in 1990, is captured along with South Africa’s progress towards democratic elections. In that election Mandela and millions of his black fellow citizens voted for the first time in their lives. The final chapter, which concludes with Mandela’s inauguration as president, conveys the significance and profound joy of this historic event.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Africa, Politics

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 1986

Reviews

[Deep Driven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nelson Mandela was a big personality for American black people as we know that he will encourage people to fight for his right to his democracy and to freedom from slavery

as we know that about Mahatma Gandhi was one of the biggest personalities in the Indian region but he doesn't want to fight with people and he did not attend any freedom fight he was able and wanted to fight for his right under the law but Mandela was not same he wants to do for his people and want to prove them I am gonna stand to all you when people see him how he do it with their right from American. people allow him to fight and a few months after all the black people were with him to revolution and fight for their rights and ultimately they were conquered.

this book is described how was Mandela and what he did for his people and nation.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic bio on Mandela that was filled with first person interview. This is a helpful edition that provides insight into Mandela. It is not deep, but a great starter bio.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

286 pages. Donated 2010 May.

Nelson Mandela became a legend in his own lifetime. The son of a chief, he qualified as a lawyer, then was one of the leaders of the African National Congress whose long, heroic struggle against the infamous system of apartheid is vividly described in this biography. Accused of treason by the South African government, Mandela was incarcerated for twenty-seven years, years in which he was honored as the world's most famous political prisoner. Mary Benson follows his political and philosophical development as well as his personal life. The fascinating story of Mandela's delicate negotiations with the government, leading to the release of fellow prisoners and to his own dramatic emergence from prison in 1990, is captured along with South Africa's progress towards democratic elections. In that election Mandela and millions of his black fellow citizens voted for the first time in their lives. The final chapter, which concludes with Mandela's inauguration as president, conveys the significance and profound joy of this historic event.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a biography about Nelson Mandela, the influential rebel and freedom fighter who helped native Sotuh African Blacks gain freedon and helped end the oppressive Apartheid regime that dominated South Africa for more than forty years. It was a very good detailed story fo the struggles Mandela had to go through throughout his life, and it was similar to another book I read about Gandhi. Even more cooincidentally, Mandela read and follwed Gandhi's ideas about truth, peace and equality among everyone. Overall, the story of his life was very interesting to read about.

[Cws]

968.05Man