Long Walk to Freedom in 101 Books to Read Before You Die

Jun 15, 2017 Alana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-to-film, biographical, history, political, foreign-culture, christians-should-read, educational, memoir

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Not only does it give the opportunity to listen to the pronunciation of the local names of persons and places in the local dialect, which is beautiful, but it allows the continuation through passages that could prove a little more tedious to some readers, such as lists of names, or lots of legal jargon, or the mundane slog of legal proceedings. The book isn't overly full of these, but there are moments that might be a little heavy for the less inter I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Not only does it give the opportunity to listen to the pronunciation of the local names of persons and places in the local dialect, which is beautiful, but it allows the continuation through passages that could prove a little more tedious to some readers, such as lists of names, or lots of legal jargon, or the mundane slog of legal proceedings. The book isn't overly full of these, but there are moments that might be a little heavy for the less interested reader.

The book was incredibly moving to me. It's astonishing how much of South Africa's struggle was beginning decades before the civil rights campaign began in earnest in the U.S. The political struggle of balancing the perspective of the minority and majority groups, other world powers, and trying to keep unity between all groups, even with one's enemies, is impressive at the least. I was pleased to see Mandela's humble willingness to admit to his own faults and flaws, the mistakes both he and his organization made over the years, the ways in which he (and it) matured and grew over the years to refine and better manage their goals and the incorporating of other groups and individuals into their goals. He constantly strove to stay in touch with the heartbeat of his country, even while locked away from most of it for nearly three decades. Even while in prison, he never stopped looking for ways to make improvements, if not to the outside world, then at least to the living conditions for prisoners of all colors and distinctions.

I know we have to take into account that this is one man's perspective, but it seems that he takes pains to show both the positives and negatives in his movement and in his own personal choices. The politicking and balance of pushing for goals, yet taking into account the perspectives of all sides, is amazing to comprehend. I can't imagine trying to keep my cool and speak my words so carefully all the time. We all should, of course, but how many of us really try to be so thoughtful about what we say and how we act?

I can't say that I agreed with him on every thought or every action along the way. For example, I don't know where to draw the distinction between doing what's right for the rights of others, and actually being able to be involved with one's family, and if one should choose to take on the responsibility of a family in the first place if it is already known the lifestyle about to be undertaken. It was heartbreaking to see the separation between Mandela and his wife of three decades, who had been his strongest supporter during all his time in prison. But I have to imagine that essentially living their lives as single people for all those years, that it must have been incredibly difficult to try to make a marriage work after that, living in the same home, trying to be a couple in some "normal" fashion. I can't imagine what kind of relationship he could really have had with his children. Then again, however, these are questions that he himself ponders, and he doesn't agree with all of his life decisions either, nor do all of his compatriots. But it is always worthwhile to "walk a mile in another man's shoes" even if one cannot fully understand all of the decisions made.

Some quotes that I found interesting and/or thought-provoking:

Part IV, Chapter 17: "Non-violent passive resistance is effective as long as your opposition adheres to the same rules as you do. But if peaceful protest is met with violence, , its efficacy is at an end. For me, nonviolence was not a moral principle but a strategy; there is no moral goodness in using an ineffective weapon." Hm, that's something I have to ponder. I don't know if I agree with this statement or if I don't.

Part V, Chapter 27: "It is best to rely on the freely given support of the people; otherwise that support is weak and fleeting. The organization should be a haven, not a prison. However, if the majority of the organization or the people support a decision, coercion can be used in certain cases against the dissident minority in the interests of the majority. A minority, however vocal, should not be able to frustrate the will of the majority."
I'm not sure what I think of this statement. It seems to be arguing against what he is fighting for. Yes, in his case, the majority happens to be the oppressed Africans, but what about in other cases where a minority group is being repressed and the majority thinks that oppression is right? They get to overrule by the "virtue" of being the majority?

Part XI, Chapter 115: "...the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and open-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else's freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
I think more or less summarizes what the final section, and really the whole book--and whole struggle--are about. Recognizing the ways in which your "enemy" is himself entrapped by his own prejudices, and trying to work with instead of against.... oh, how much different this world would be if we all lived that way!

The audio I listened to has an interview with his collaborator/editor at the end, and I love that this man, editor of Time Magazine, was so honored to be asked to be involved with the book. He sounded genuinely astounded that he was approached for it. I don't know how much of the book was influence by his edits, but regardless, it's an amazing narration not just of Mandela, but of South Africa itself. I found it incredibly moving and inspiring. ...more

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Jun 28, 2017 Irene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This account of the life of the person who became the face of the antiapartheid fight in South Africa was inspiring,

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Oct 07, 2014 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2014, audiobooks, from-library

An important book from a humble and inspiring man. I found it interesting to learn about not only his political actions, but also his thoughts on being torn between his duties to his people and his responsibilities to his family.

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