Long Walk to Freedom
This autobiography by Nelson Mandela was one I’ve wanted to read for a while. His struggle against apartheid in South Africa has become one of the great stories of our time. I can still remember faint snippets from the news about the violence in South Africa, about terrorism, racial riots and killings. The triumph of justice in this blighted land is one of the few beacons of hope in Africa.
Long Walk to Freedom showcases Mandela’s political struggles during the years. He describes how he became increasingly involved in politics and in the African National Congress.
What striked me most was how he maintained his political hopes during the three decades of imprisonment. During these years, he was virtually isolated from the community and his political party-in-exile. His sense of humility does not offer suggestions as to why he continued to be the spiritual bastion of the struggle even while in prison, and for such a long time.
The only thing that troubled me was his support of the armed struggle. The end result turned out well, because the SA government eventually started negotiations, but I’m not sure how it justified the means.
Altogether an excellent book.