A Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Book Review | A Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Watch Nelson Mandela's speech that changed the world

What You will get in this Article

• Summary of A Long Walk To Freedom
• Overview of A Long Walk To Freedom
• Best Quotes From A Long Walk To Freedom
• Key Points From A Long Walk To Freedom

Summary

Who doesn't know about the great personality Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders. They are also an international hero. Nelson Mandela fought for racial equality in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of their country.

A Long Walk To Freedom is an autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest moral leaders of the world. 

A Long Walk To Freedom was published in 1995. Nelson Mandela was the first black president of the South Africa. This autobiography was published just year after South Africa's first democratic elections made, and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. 

Nelson Mandela begins this book with description of their genealogy, It has intended to silent rumours that he has a  inborn claim to kingship of the Xhosa people. These are one of the South Africa's largest cultural groups.

After that Nelson Mandela describes about their early childhood. They said that they spend their childhood in practicing traditional Xhosa fightings and herding cattle. 

Nelson Mandela's father sent him in school. Which was a privilege for a kid in their village. His Uncle paid for their education at a series of elite boarding schools.

Nelson Mandela described about their young adulthood and their journey to a leader of south Africa's freedom movement in next two sections. They moved to Johannesburg and became active in the ANC (African National Congress). ANC was the organisation which were fighting for rights of black south Africans.

We all knows that south africa had been ruled by racial laws for long time, but this situation changed in 1948 and became worst when conservative National party came into power. After that National party expanded the South Africa's racist law by creating a system of apartheid.

Black South Africans prevented by this Apartheid law from leaving tiny reservations unless they have a pass or document that proves that they have employment in white area. There were many other restrictions for black peoples like they can't ride all white buses, can't enter in all white areas, or even can't seat with white friends for dinner. There were also seperate education system created for these peoples.

Nelson Mandela further described how ANC and other organisations mobilized against apartheid by starting a campaign in 1951. During this campaign Nelson Mandela and other volunteers peacefully broke apartheid laws and went to prison. This action helped them gaining the protestors attention.

Mandela said this campaign helps in increasing determination and communication between south Africa's many freedom organizations. 

Overview

A Long Walk to remember is a huge book with 645 pages. I think the pace of book is little slow. But when you start reading this book you will generate that urge to finish this book in a single sitting.

A Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela is one of the best inspirational book. It amazed me when I finished this book. It left me surprised and filled my mind with a different inspirational thoughts. 

A Long Walk To Freedom starts with the information about Nelson Mandela's family and about their education. Nelson Mandela

named as ‘Rolihlahla’ which means ‘troublemaker’,in the childhood. Here you can see the rebel in him since his childhood.

The structure of book is very perfect, which explains various stages of Nelson Mandela's life. It easy to see Nelson Mandela's transition from innocent child to educated young man and to a lawyer who learns that violent protest is the only way to earn independence.

Nelson Mandela gives a speech in a court during trial is must read one. You must check that speech and read it.

I simply loved Nelson Mandela's thoughts. In the last paragraph of his book he said I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.

It is little difficult to write an autobiography without making it only about self importance and Nelson Mandela did this gratefully. 

Nelson Mandela conveyed their emotions such that they make the readers emphasis with them and their fellow men's suffering. You can experience the genuine rage of Nelson Mandela for whites. 

My Favourite Quotes From A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

• I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death
• No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite
• A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind
• A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones
• And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others

These quotes are taken from various sources like Goodreads

There are many other quotes in A Long walk to Freedom, but these are my favourites.

There are many sayings by Nelson Mandela are famous amongst the world. They are one of the most respectful person in the world.

Key Points from A Long Walk To Freedom

• Nelson Mandela charged with Treason
• He went through many difficult times but still fought for what is right
• Nelson Mandela was a great leader

So this is all about Nelson Mandela's A Long Walk To Freedom. I hope you find this article useful.

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