Nelson Mandela

Oxford Bookworms Factfiles: Level 4

by Rowena Akinyemi

In 1918 in Transkei, South Africa, the Mandela family gave their new baby son the name Rolihlahla - 'troublemaker'. But the young boy's early years were happy ones, and he grew up to be a good student and an enthusiastic sportsman. Who could imagine then what was waiting for Nelson Mandela - the tireless struggle for human rights, the long years in prison, the happiness and sadness of family life, and one day the title of President of South Africa?

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Rowena Akinyemi is British, and after many years in Africa, she now lives and works in Cambridge. She was worked in English Language Teaching for twenty years, in Africa and England, and has been writing ELT fiction for ten years. Love or money? Was her first story for the Oxford Bookworms Library, and she has now written several other stories for the series, including Remeber Miranda and The Witches of Pendle (both at Stage 1). She has also written books for children. One of her favourite pastimes is reading detective stories.

Reviews

[Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading this book as part of my initiative of reading more books in English, although this was a really easy book for me (I should have been reading some of Level 6, but I came across this one and I read it in a few days.

The style is quite simple and it gives you the necessary information without being boring. Anyway, what can I say about this man that anyone doesn't know yet? One of the best examples of pure humanity, who has lived a life of injustice spending nearly thirty years in prison, became one of the greatest fighters for the freedom. The reason is, as this book explains so well, that he never surrendered, in spite of all his suffering. It is really moving to see how the political acts are mixed whit the personal history of Mandela's life.

This has been a great oportunity of improving my knowledge about this brave man.

[Mali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my English class and, let me tell you, what a life!
Nelson Mandela is definitely a person to look upon. At first, I thought this book was a little boring because it's full of dates and names that you forget in a few minutes, but I soon realised that I couldn't put it down! Mandela lived a troublesome life. I still can't even imagine how could he manage to survive the cruelty of South Africa in the twentieth century. All I know is that, from now on, he will be a man that I respect and one of my role models.
This book has just educational purposes, goes straight to the point, and is very well summarized, though I haven't read any other Nelson Mandela-related books, so I can't really tell.
Easy-read.

[MA kindle lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

سيرة مناضل وقصة كفاح
One of great story for a lovely leader around the world

[Abdullahi Mursal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took the book from my sister shelf, needed something small to read at work nd honestly its good book for ppl who want to read brief history and to those with English as Second language its smooth and not that complicated I honestly think it’s a good book

[Yuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already knew about apartheid and Nelson Mandela though, from in a while after starting this book, my face flushed with anger for white people in South Africa at that time. I continued reading while I wonder how he acted against it.

Immediately, I noticed that the white people were one part of all white people, I was relieved about that. There were some white people who encouraged and cheered to him and the people with him from early days.

However, I wondered why such a long time was needed for their rights and freedom. But as that result, I was very surprised by his patience, toughness and endurance.

[Nafea Mohsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spent 2h22m

[Danortz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick reading. I’ve known very little of what Mandela did, so reading this book helped me to get more involved with South African history. Interesting, easy to read and it has pictures!

[Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) era un africano luchador de los derechos civiles de las personas negras. Pudo estudiar, eso sí siempre en lugares destinados para los negros y obtener su título de abogado.
Mandela era un hombre carismático y atraía a las masas, persona con gran integridad y líder nato que llegó a poner su vida en juego y sufrió una condena de cadena perpetua, con condiciones muy duras además de la cual solo le dejaba tener 1 carta de no más de 500 palabras y una visita cada 6 meses (algo que me ha dejado... ). Tras 27 años y debido a la presión de políticos y gente anónima es puesto en libertad (1990) y cuatro años más tarde (1994-1999) fue elegido presidente, primer presidente negro de sudafrica elegido por sufragio universal en su país.
Durante ese tiempo cambió muchas leyes y ayudó a que todos tuviesen los mismos derechos (estudio, sanidad, vivienda...).

** OPINIÓN PERSONAL **
Un libro de inglés que se ha convertido en mi favorito, porque a pesar de haber visto películas y reportajes sobre este GRAN HOMBRE, me ha dejado conmocionada con la implicación tan grande que tuvo, la repercusión y dolor que sufrió por el bienestar de sus semejantes. Una persona ejemplar, un líder con unos valores y una fuerza presionantes. Ahora mismo. Necesito ver la peli de "Invictus".

Nivel: 4
Editorial: @oxford_university_press_sa

[Vitto · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is amazing how this man gave his life in order to change a whole country even though he stayed in prision did not hesitate in carry on with the struggle.

[青川福助 · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a good leader I have ever seen.
He spent more than twenty six years.
However, he didn't give up in his life.

[Halah . · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world's greatest leader !
I enjoyed knowing about Mandela as much as this book offered to me.

[Coconut Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, such strong character Nelson Mandela!! I could never get tired reading about his struggles..such a soldier of life! This can be read in few days or even one, if you have time!

[Б. Долгорсүрэн · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Biography. I like to read famous people's biography. The reason is from them I got a motivation to go ahead and succeed.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that it was good because it told me what nelson mandela did and that happened before and after he became became president of South Africa.

[Parastoo Sahraaee · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book and very nice for understanding people