I Know This to Be True: Nelson Mandela

I Know This to Be True

by Nelson Mandela, Geoff Blackwell (Editor), Ruth Hobday (Editor)

The I Know This to Be True series is a collection of extraordinary figures from diverse backgrounds answering the same questions, as well as sharing their compelling stories, guiding ideals, and insightful wisdom.
Incarcerated for more than twenty-seven years, Nelson Mandela's enduring faith and rise to leadership remains an inspiration to all.
With stories from his closest colleagues paired with his own words, this book explores the many challenges Mandela faced and the guiding principles that enabled him to lead a country away from violence to peace and democracy.
• Anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela devoted his life to ensuring liberation, equality, and justice for the people of South Africa
• A moving and prescient reminder of the power of persistence, conviction, and forgiveness
• The landmark book series brims with messages of leadership, courage, compassion, and hope
Inspired by Nelson Mandela's legacy and created in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, I Know This to Be True is a global series of books created to spark a new generation of leaders.
This series offers encouragement and guidance to graduates, future leaders, and anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world.
• Mandela's legacy encourages every reader to find and nurture the leader within
• Royalties from sales of the series support the free distribution of material from the series to the world's developing economy countries
• A highly giftable and lovely hardcover with vivid photographic portraits throughout
• Great for those who loved Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela, and Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

80 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2020

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

[bre]

I feel a little odd giving this one a star rating, so I'm not going to.

I admit that I do not know nearly as much about Nelson Mandela and what he contributed to our world as I should. I know the basics; he was an anti-apartheid activist and a president of South Africa. It wasn't taught in my curriculum. This book shares with the reader some of Mandela's guiding principles as a human.

I found some parts of this confusing with minimal background knowledge. I found myself stopping to google at points, although I didn't realise there was a collection of footnote references at the back of the book - so that one is on me.

This book was inspiring, humbling and uplifting, and educational and informative. There is some assumed knowledge, but nothing that makes this an inaccessible read. I found it deeply interesting; Mandela is complex with some fantastic principles, and I wish I'd had more of an interest at an earlier stage.

[Maddie Mer · Rating 2 out of 5]

For what it was, it was good. Just a little short for my liking and lots of pages taken up with pictures or quotes. Like two pages just for one quote. Definitely makes me want to delve deeper into readings about Mandela though.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Long Walk to Freedom 10 years ago. If you don't want to tackle that, this little treasure outlines Mandela's principles and attributes and tells you a bit of his history. It also reminds us that our heroes are human, but learn from their mistakes. Mandela's 27 years in a South African prison gave him the time and resources to become the leader that brought an end to apartheid.

[Kemi looves 2 read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I vacillated between 3.5 and 4 *. There were pages for just pictures and quotes when readers could have had more of Madiba. This is an extremely brief summary of the principles and practices of one of the greatest leaders of our time. If one wants more, a read of some of his books referenced in this one are in order e.g. Long walk to freedom, Conversations with myself etc.

An interesting quote: "Good leaders fully appreciate that the removal of tension in society puts corrective thinkers on center stage by creating an ideal environment for men and women of vision to influence society."

[TJ ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s recommended that you have prior knowledge about Nelson Mandela before reading this book. If you’re interested in learning more about Madiba’s leadership qualities, this book would be a good supplementary resource.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely not what I expected it to be. It outlines all of Mandela's principles and for me personally it was very inspiring.

[Miles Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY brief summary of the principles and practices that made for one of the greatest leaders of our modern age.