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Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom
From the heart and soul of visionary Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, a collection of his most uplifting, time-honored quotes that have inspired our world and offer a path for peace.
“The book that you hold in your hands is nothing short of a miracle.” —Desmond Tutu, from the Introduction
Notes to the Future is the definitive book of quotations from one of the great leaders of our time. This collection—gathered from privileged access to Mandela’s vast personal archive of private papers, speeches, correspondence, and audio recordings—features more than three hundred quotations spanning more than sixty years and includes his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
These inspirational quotations, organized into four sections—Struggle, Victory, Wisdom, and Future—are both universal and deeply personal. We see Mandela’s sense of humor, his loneliness and despair, his thoughts on fatherhood, and the reluctant leader who had no choice but to become the man history demanded.
“A good pen can also remind us of the happiest moments in our lives, bring noble ideas into our dens, our blood and our souls. It can turn tragedy into hope and victory” (from a letter to Zindzi Mandela, written on Robben Island, February 10, 1980).
“The book that you hold in your hands is nothing short of a miracle.” —Desmond Tutu, from the Introduction
Notes to the Future is the definitive book of quotations from one of the great leaders of our time. This collection—gathered from privileged access to Mandela’s vast personal archive of private papers, speeches, correspondence, and audio recordings—features more than three hundred quotations spanning more than sixty years and includes his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
These inspirational quotations, organized into four sections—Struggle, Victory, Wisdom, and Future—are both universal and deeply personal. We see Mandela’s sense of humor, his loneliness and despair, his thoughts on fatherhood, and the reluctant leader who had no choice but to become the man history demanded.
“A good pen can also remind us of the happiest moments in our lives, bring noble ideas into our dens, our blood and our souls. It can turn tragedy into hope and victory” (from a letter to Zindzi Mandela, written on Robben Island, February 10, 1980).
192 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Nelson Mandela
254 books2,290 followersNelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, who held office from 1994–99.
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of the African National Congress's armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island.
In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela supported reconciliation and negotiation, and helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, many have frequently praised Mandela, including former opponents. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/nelson...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 10, 2015
Just think, not too long ago it was illegal to quote him, this review could have landed me in jail....
This book, “Notes to the Future” is an authoritative collection of Nelson Mandela’s ‘most inspiring and historically important quotations.’ The reader is provided with wisdom and insights derived from Nelson Mandela’s public speeches, interviews and even his personal letters to friends and family. The quotes are dated from the time before his incarceration, up until the start of the new millennium, and they are arranged into four central themes: “Struggle”; “Victory”; “Wisdom”; “Future”; with these themes then being broken down into categories/sub-themes - generally consisting of between two and seven quotes.
While it would impractical to list all of the profound insights that the reader will find in “Notes to the Future”, a few of them are:
“ Our differences are our strength as a species and as a world community.”
“We should never forget those on whose shoulders we stand and those who paid the supreme price for freedom.”
“It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.”
“It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
“No single person, no body of opinion, no political doctrine, no religious doctrine can claim a monopoly on truth.”
In addition to these specific quotes, “Notes to the Future” contains another 300+ quotes, all dated and sourced.
The final few pages of the book are dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 1993 and, just so that the reader is aware, Nelson Mandela’s biographical information is limited to the information gleaned from the quotes themselves and the brief introduction by Desmond Tutu.
This book, “Notes to the Future” is an authoritative collection of Nelson Mandela’s ‘most inspiring and historically important quotations.’ The reader is provided with wisdom and insights derived from Nelson Mandela’s public speeches, interviews and even his personal letters to friends and family. The quotes are dated from the time before his incarceration, up until the start of the new millennium, and they are arranged into four central themes: “Struggle”; “Victory”; “Wisdom”; “Future”; with these themes then being broken down into categories/sub-themes - generally consisting of between two and seven quotes.
While it would impractical to list all of the profound insights that the reader will find in “Notes to the Future”, a few of them are:
“ Our differences are our strength as a species and as a world community.”
“We should never forget those on whose shoulders we stand and those who paid the supreme price for freedom.”
“It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.”
“It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
“No single person, no body of opinion, no political doctrine, no religious doctrine can claim a monopoly on truth.”
In addition to these specific quotes, “Notes to the Future” contains another 300+ quotes, all dated and sourced.
The final few pages of the book are dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 1993 and, just so that the reader is aware, Nelson Mandela’s biographical information is limited to the information gleaned from the quotes themselves and the brief introduction by Desmond Tutu.
January 15, 2018
Enriching thoughts and inspiring words from a man who saw it all. From revolutionary to imprisonment. From imprisonment to president. You tell me, you think there’s anything to learn from a man with such vast wisdom!
April 21, 2014
A short book with short quotes from speeches, letters and essays of the late great Nelson Mandela. If you haven't read his autobiography or any biographies this is a good little taste to know the man as a man of words.
February 2, 2023
Reading this book reminded me it has been about 20 years since I read
. Nelson Rohilahla Mandela was a gift to South Africa and the rest of the world as he refused to give up his humanity in the struggle for freedom. This collection of quotes was a wide swath covering many topics in his characteristic people-first style.
"In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people."
. Nelson Rohilahla Mandela was a gift to South Africa and the rest of the world as he refused to give up his humanity in the struggle for freedom. This collection of quotes was a wide swath covering many topics in his characteristic people-first style."In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people."
May 25, 2019
A small but powerful book of quotes by Nelson Mandela. Included is the Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech from 1993.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 8, 2016
Quotations from Nelson Mandela and his Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech from 1993. Aimed at inspiration and understanding, the book is an exceptionally quick read with 3-4 quotes per left page and 1-3 quotes per right page. Not bad, but just a lot of quotes, still worth the read through for the inspiration.
December 10, 2012
Worth the read! Great insights in the mind of a legendary leader of our time!
December 15, 2013
Lieber auf Englisch zu lesen - und häufiger über das Gesagte nachdenken, kann nicht schaden
November 19, 2023
Nelson Mandela's "Notes to the Future" is a moving and inspirational compilation of the esteemed leader's essays, lectures, and meditations. Readers can gain a profound understanding of Mandela's visionary thinking, unwavering commitment to justice, and indomitable spirit through this anthology that was put together after his death. The book, which summarizes Mandela's knowledge on topics like leadership and the quest of equality as well as human rights and reconciliation, stands as a monument to his lasting legacy. Every thoughtfully chosen item captures Mandela's wisdom and unwavering dedication to creating a better world. Not only are readers treated to the intellectual depth of Mandela's thoughts as they peruse "Notes to the Future," but they are also reminded of the fortitude and optimism that defined his life. This compilation is an enduring homage to a world figure whose wisdom endures, providing direction and motivation for future generations.
July 23, 2024
You have to recognize that people are produced by the mud in the society in which you live and that therefore they are human beings. They have got good points, they have got weak points.
Your duty is to work with human beings as human beings, not because you think they are angels. All men, even the most seemingly cold-blooded, have a core
of decency, and if their hearts are touched, they are capable of changing.
Your duty is to work with human beings as human beings, not because you think they are angels. All men, even the most seemingly cold-blooded, have a core
of decency, and if their hearts are touched, they are capable of changing.
January 11, 2018
I've never met a Mandela quote I didn't love.
Given the limitations of the format, this was well done.
Given the limitations of the format, this was well done.
July 13, 2018
Wonderful, inspiring book! What a wise and brave man he was!
November 2, 2018
It's okay. There are a few really good quotes mixed in there. I didn't care for the negative ones about America.
March 5, 2019
Great quotes and insight, but I realized quickly I would’ve preferred to read them all in their full context.
September 20, 2019
Great book and wished the world had more great men like Mandela.
January 16, 2020
Que Sabedoria tinha este Homem
February 23, 2024
I enjoyed reading quotes from his letters and speeches.
February 7, 2016
Good books are meant to be savoured and that was what I exactly did for this book by a prodigious and wise entity of a human being in Nelson Mandela. i read them in different phases of life over the few months, undoubtedly a few months of an emotional roller coaster. I collect quotes and this book almost took up my journal, to the point that I decided to leave them be within the book, where they form their magical wonder, ticking the ones that left an impression. Spanning diverse themes, it made me realise the little things in life should not be kept privy to your peripherals and to take your troughs in stride. These things drive you, existing daily that you find them mundane to give gratitude to. Live the primitive life just one day and you will see the difference. Also, reading and education are not meant to be something you should make of your disposal, for it is your privilege, a key to your hopes and dreams. If someone deemed unequal from birth could be someone celebrated and defied odds against the scions and entitled few where two decades ago it seemed impossible for someone black to assume leadership niches, so could we, living comfortably without civil oppressions. So never ever underestimate your less privileged counterparts. How I wish I met him.
March 11, 2013
This is an overall good book, however I wish I had read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography before reading this so I could give his quotes a little more context. The book is full of quotes by Mandela over the course of his life, with a large portion of them coming from the time he served in prison. As you think about the number of years he had spent in prison and the mistreatment he / his family endured, his words of wisdom are even more incredible as he expresses forgiveness to the very people who have put him in jail and have mistreated him. He has no hate for any of these people or the corrupt government that was at the helm of all the suffering him and his family endured which is quite incredible. He is an incredibly thoughtful individual and provides great words of wisdom on a numbers of facets we face in our lives today from family to religion to war to race. All throughout prison, he maintained the same positive attitude and is one of the most humblest leaders I have ever seen.
July 2, 2013
Not as good as I had anticipated.
August 14, 2013
Lots of great quotes about just about everything
July 13, 2014
Great quotes from the great man. I picked it up expecting biography, but interesting to hear some of his thoughts in isolation.
September 21, 2020
Inspirational reading specially for insomnia nights for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews