Mandela: An Illustrated Autobiography

by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time: an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country. Since his triumphant release in 1990 from more than a quarter century of imprisonment, Mandela has been at the center of the most inspiring political drama in the world. Mandela: An Illustrated Autobiography tells the extraordinary story of Nelson Mandela's life, an epic of struggle, setback, renewed hope, and ultimate triumph. With nearly 200 stunning photographs - many of them published here for the first time - and with text adapted from his remarkable memoir Long Walk to Freedom, this moving book captures the indomitable spirit of a moral giant and dramatically portrays his struggle toward freedom. Mandela's journey is vividly and eloquently recounted: the development of his political consciousness, his pivotal role in the formation of the African National Congress Youth League, his years underground - which led to a sentence of life imprisonment in 1964 - and his twenty-seven years behind bars. He also movingly recounts the momentous events leading up to his victory in South Africa's first-ever multiracial elections in 1994.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Africa, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Adult

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Nelson 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...

Reviews

[Josh L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abridged content from Long Walk to Freedom makes this book just as compelling as the original. But adding pictures makes the story come alive!

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandela's story is one of true grit, courage, resilience, confidence and leadership. There is relevance, timelessness and a didactic appeal not only in his anti-apartheid world view, but also in his optimism during periods of adversity.

I highlighted so many quotes in this reading. To my knowledge, few leaders are as resolute as he has been in his fight for freedom.

"I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free..."

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

[Meena Salih · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of our time for political inspiration. South Africa is just like the Kurdish cause(they’re trying to get their independence as well) Kurdistan can learn from South Africa.😩✊🏾🇿🇦❤️❤️☀️💚

[Alhagie Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much Respect.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times I was confused about what was happening, I overall enjoyed learning about Nelson Mandela's life and his rise to leadership in his own words. After a nationlist president was elected and passed Apartheid laws, Mandela realized he couldn't stand by and watch from the sidelines. He engaged in peaceful protest and speeches, grew accustomed to being imprisoned, not to mention he and some fellow activists were put imprisoned for 20 years. And still his spirit wasn't crushed! An inspiring account of endurance and perseverance.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandela recounts his life in terms of dates and organizational involvement, always with undertones of sincerity and strong emotion. I would have been interested to read more about how Mandela's faith influenced his decisions, but I was not the one commissioning the book. The images and captions of the photo's add greatly to the narrative of Mandela's life.

[Betty Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Respect, integrity, charm, love, unity.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livet med politiske briller på. Mest fengende partiene er fra årene på Robben Island. En håndfull ganger kommer mer private følelser til overflaten. Spennende lesing om hvordan han tålmodig og livslangt oppnår begynnelsen av frihet.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Mandela's life itself is interesting and he certainly is a "hero" of sorts, I thought the book was rather boring. It read a little like a text book. I love non-fiction, especially biographies, but it took a very long time for me to finish this book.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

La vita di uno tra gli Uomini più conosciuti del XX° secolo raccontata dalla voce della Libertà.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspiring interesting story of Nelson Mandela's life. I really liked reading about what the man whent through and how he made changes in the world around him.