I didn't like this book one bit. It was long and drawn out. It seemed like a bunch of useless information was included that didn't need to be. However, the last three chapters of the book were decent.

ليست العبرة بطول الرحلة ولكن العبرة بتحقيق الهدف .. رحلة نيلسون مانديلا من أجل الحرية رحلة طويلة .. قاسية .. وباهظة الثمن .. دفع ثمنها سنوات طوال من عمره بين جدران السجون .. ولكنه أبدا لم يكن مكتوف الأيدي أو مكمم الفم .. بل ظل يناضل بكل ما أوتي من شجاعة وقوة وإصرار حتى استطاع أن يحقق حلم الحرية لشعبه ويقضي على نظام التمييز العنصري في بلاده .. وتم تتويجه كأول رئيس جمهورية من السود في جنوب أفريقيا عام ١٩٩٤.

"العبيد فقط يطلبون الحرية .. الأحرار يصنعونها"

"ليس حرا من يهان أمامه إنسان ولا يشعر بالإهانة"

"الشجاعة ليست هي غياب الخوف ولكنها الإنتصار عليه"
.

While this is a heavy read, and abounding in politics more than everything else, it is a greatly inspiring memoir. It’s abounding in universal lessons and wisdom. It’s also a great lesson in South African recent history.

It could probably be a political activist’s bible. Nelson Mandela made the fight for freedom and liberation his life’s work and most of his life is spent in “the struggle” as he terms it. It’s rich in details on how a liberation movement is born and sustained against a completely oppressive regime.

It’s a read abounding in generosity and forgiveness. Never throughout does Mr. Mandela criticize, blame or speak negatively about another person. He always takes his criticism out on their actions and the system. You can feel the pervasive lack of negative emotions towards other people. This is probably the number one trait that allowed him to bring even enemies to his camp, and open a bridge for negotiations. In the end he masterfully negotiated a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy.

“I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity. 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. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”

My favorite part of it was his life in prison, 30 years in which one would think life would be wasted. An average man would emerge a broken man. Mr. Mandela emerged a world leader, master negotiator and statesman, myth and icon. He did not waste any time. He did not lose his humor. He did not lose hope, and acted all throughout as a free man, confident in his vision. He fought injustice every step of the way, and stuck by his principles in the most difficult of situations, often when to great loss to himself. It’s amazing to read about the many and creative ways he patiently exasperated and often defeated his jailers along side his fellows. It’s even more amazing to read about such a rich life behind bars.

Though I have heard of the name, I don't know much about Nelson Mandela... and knew it was time I read his memoir. It is so crazy but important to read about the progress in South Africa. I can't believe this man spent a total of 27 years in prison fighting for basic human rights for people of color in Africa. I realize that this shows my ignorance about current events... but I would rather admit my ignorance so that I can get rid of it!

Encouraging others to read this as well. What a hero!

When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. -Nelson Mandela (p. 624 -625)

I'll always prefer Conversations With Myself over this massive autobiography as I found it to be more true to the man behind the legend. Long Walk to Freedom is impressive with detailed first-hand account on a various important topics regarding that era but it's not entirely faithful to the human being that Madiba was; I think there's more to him than what was told.*
Danny Glover narrated this audio-book as well as Conversations With Myself and it's highly recommended.

*watch Winnie for broader view

n  

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.

n
This world is in dire need of a selfless leader like Nelson Mandela. Twenty-seven years of his life were spent in prison due to being a freedom fighter and opposing the apartheid system. And he did not lose hope. He even forgave the oppressors. Mandela kept himself busy in the lock-up with reading books and gardening. All of this struggle bore fruit when he was released; free and fair elections were held for the first time in South Africa and he became the first black President.

Page 623 (my edition)

In South Africa, a man of color who attempted to live as a human being was punished and islolated.

An exquisitely written book with many brilliant observations on life passages. It is not just about Nelson Mandela’s struggle to obtain freedom for his people in South Africa – it is a view of the dignity of a human being.

Nelson Mandela has a unique ability to gaze out at events outside of himself – some said that of Abraham Lincoln. Nelson Mandela is man of intense humanity and that stands out in several emotional passages of this autobiography. He fought injustice; he was incarcerated for almost thirty years. The organization he belonged to, the African National Congress, was banned in South Africa, even though it stood for the equality of all human beings.

South Africa was undoubtedly a racist and police state. Being an outsider I am somewhat amazed that they had judicial trials for their opponents which permitted their cause to be publicized, and in particular promoted to the outside world. In the long run this helped lead to South Africa’s undoing. It also shows how insular white South Africa was – the public trials and incarcerations of “dissidents” just spread the cause and led to the revulsion of the outside world to South African racism (apartheid).

This book, for me, did seem rather long. I did have trouble keeping track of the people and different groups that Mr. Mandela wrote of –more so in the first-third of the book. But his honesty and integrity pour forth in eloquence. He is one of the few celebrities to acknowledge that in the devotion to an outside cause - the ones who suffer the most are immediate family. He is not just referring to his long years of imprisonment, but of the time before and after when the “public” was his primary concern.

I will just cite a few wonderful passages from the end of the book:

Page 622 (my edition)

The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended effect and that was that it produced... men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity that their likes may never be known again.

Page 624

A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred... The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

This is an essential book for understanding the twentieth century. And as the above quotes demonstrate Nelson Mandela always attempted to find the good in all – even his oppressors.

Here is a man who had every reason to hate, but instead was magnanimous. Seldom in history has there been a person like Nelson Mandela who was in the right place at the right time.


Page 625

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.

I bought this book in January and didn't get around to reading it until March. I was at a Goodwill 50% off sale the day I got this and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it.
As someone who has strong roots in South Africa but has never been there I am always eager to learn more about the country my father and his family were born in particularly because my father and his family left South Africa in the 40's to escape the apartheid even though they were "coloured" and not "black" it still impacted them.
I hadn't read an autobiography or biography since I was younger and I knew that even though I'm a quick reader that this book would take me a while to read due to the tone.
I'm quite impressed with Mandela's story telling ability. He narrates his life flawlessly in a way that is easy to read and understand. It was informative and I enjoyed learning things from his perspective. I quite enjoyed the part at the start of the book where he talks about his childhood and his family.
This book had no downsides for me. He's a truly inspirational man who deserves praise for being one of the people who helped build the New South Africa. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to expand their horizons and read a book about one of the most inspirational people ever.

Цю книгу я почала читати ще наприкінці 2017 року. Ледве-ледве доповзла до 200-ї сторінки і все... читання зупинилось. Мені було нудно, видавалося, що автор надто багато часу і слів приділяє подробицям, які спокійно можна було пропустити.
Так пройшло 2 роки. "Довгий шлях до свободи" докірливо дивився на мене з полички. Зрештою, я вирішила дати книжці ще один шанс. І знаєте, що? Виявилося, що це одна з найкращих книг, які я коли-небудь прочитала!
Читати майже 600 сторінок дрібним шрифтом було все ще нелегко. Але не через надмірні подробиці. Я вже мала уявлення про апартеїд в ПАР, про те, як важко було темношкірим людям жити на власній землі, яку в буквальному сенсі в них забрали білі загарбники; як їх мали за ніщо, постійно втоптуючи в болото їхню гордість. Мене вразило не це. А те, з якою мужністю Нельсон Мандела зустрічав усі повороти долі. Те, як він міг спокійно і виважено відповідати навіть на найобразливіші кпини, на приниження, намагання тюремників знеособити, відняти будь-яку крихту індивідуальності.
Роздуми Мандели про шлях лідера, про жертви, на котрі доводиться іти, про пошук справедливості частково нагадали мені Ганді. Звісно, некоректно порівнювати їх, адже Мандела врешті прийшов до усвідомлення необхідності збройної боротьби, відкинувши ненасильницький опір. Втім, коли обставини змінилися на краще, він зумів переступити через власну гордість і самолюбство, щоб досягти мети — свободи та рівності для всіх і кожного.
P.S. Прикро, що це не був кінець випробувань для Південно-Африканської республіки. Її дорога до самостійного і забезпеченого майбутнього тільки почалася і, очевидно, в ній буде ще не одна сторінка помилок.

(إنني في قرارة نفسي إنسان متفائل, وإن كنت لا أدري إن كان ذلك في طبيعتي أم في طبعي, ومن علامات التفاؤل أن يحافظ المرء على رأسه مرفوعا نحو السماء, وأن تكون خطاه متجهة إلى الأمام, لقد مرت بي لحظات عديدة اهتزت خلالها ثقتي بالإنسانية, ولكنني لم ولن أستسلم لليأس فذلك هو السبيل إلى الإخفاق والموت المحقق).
اعتقد ان قناعات هذا الرجل و ايمانه بفكرته كان مصدر قوته الحقيقى و لا يسعنى الا ان اقول كم انت عظيم يا مانديلا و قد صار كتابك هذا صديقى للابد

LUNGO CAMMINO VERSO LA LIBERTA' - N.MANDELA

Nelson Mandela è nato nel 1918, il suo vero nome africano significa attaccabrighe ed è stato una sorta di anticipazione di ciò che sarebbe stato; il nome Nelson gli è stato dato, come tradizione, quando ha iniziato a frequentare la scuola. Alla morte del padre va a vivere con il reggente xhosa Jongintaba, che diventa il suo tutore e lo tratta al pari del suo vero figlio Justice. A diciannove anni, a Healdtown, Nelson inizia ad abbozzare una coscienza africana, anche se si sente ancora prima di tutto xhosa. In seguito all’espulsione dall’università di Fort Hare, torna a casa dal reggente, che comunica a lui e a Justice di aver scelto le loro future mogli, i due, dopo aver fatto valere inutilmente le loro ragioni, scappano a Johannesburg. All’inizio fatica a trovare una nuova sistemazione, ma poi riesce ad essere assunto come praticante in uno studio legale ed è proprio qui che capisce di voler aiutare e rappresentare tutti gli africani, non solo alcuni. Conosce Evelyn, la sua prima moglie, dal cui matrimonio nascono un maschio ed una femmina, che, però muore dopo nove mesi. Walter Sisulu ha avuto un ruolo importante per l’accesso in politica di Mandela: è stato lui a farlo entrare nell’Anc, ricoprendo la carica di membro esecutivo del Transvaal, per lui è il primo passo attivo in questo campo. L’African National Congress lotta contro l’apartheid, ovvero la separazione tra neri e bianche e la supremazia di questi ultimi, attraverso forme di disobbedienza civile non violenta, finalizzate ad attirare l’attenzione sulla loro condizione di oppressi. Nelson apre uno studio legale con Oliver Tambo: è la prima volta che due neri aprono un esercizio tutto loro; sono tantissimi gli africani che vanno nel loro ufficio, perché certi di essere ascoltati e rappresentati. Il governo inizialmente risponde all’Anc, mettendo al bando i suoi esponenti, tra cui Mandela, compromettendo la loro attività politica, infatti l’estradizione è sia morale sia fisica, poi li arresta con l’imputazione di alto tradimento e congiura contro lo stato. Quest’ultimo fatto porta al capolinea il matrimonio con Evelyn, che non ha mai visto di buon occhio il suo impegno politico, la sua seconda moglie è Winnie, con la quale scatta subito il colpo di fulmine. Il processo riguardante l’accusa si interseca con la proclamazione dello stato d’emergenza da parte del governo, che definisce l’Anc ed il Pac (rifiuta la Carta delle libertà e l’alleanza con i bianchi e gli indiani) illegali. La corte proclama tutti gli imputanti innocenti per mancanza di prove, così Nelson inizia la sua vita in clandestinità per creare la costituente ed un apparato militare con un proprio esercito, l’Mk, collegato all’Anc, ma autonomo rispetto ad esso. Resta clandestino per due anni, finchè non viene arrestato e condannato a cinque anni di carcere, dopo aver scontato nove mesi lui ed altri suoi compagni vengono incriminati per sabotaggio. Durante il processo, Mandela legge alla corte una dichiarazione, dove afferma di non essere comunista e colpevole per la formazione dell’Mk, facendo capire loro la separazione tra i due organi africani; il giudice De Met li condanna all’ergastolo, nessuno vuole ricorrere in appello per mostrare di accettare a testa alta la loro pena e per l’orgoglio di ciò che hanno fatto. Nei ventisette anni di carcere passa da Pretoria a Robben Island, dove resta per diciotto anni, da Poolsmoor a Victor Vestern, dove vive in un villino con un cuoco personale, dopo anni di pasti frugali e pessime condizioni igieniche. Proprio nell’ultimo carcere inizia le trattative con il governo, prima con Botha e poi con De Klerk, che revoca la messa al bando dello organizzazioni illegali e proclama la scarcerazione di tutti i detenuti politici. Finalmente può uscire di prigione. Lui e Winnie si separano e muore Oliver. Dopo una serie di lunghe ed estenuanti trattative con il governo, il 27 Aprile 1994 avvengono le prime elezioni a suffragio universale, l’Anc ottiene più del 60% dei voti, formando un governo con il National Party. È riuscito ad ottenere ciò per cui lui ed i suoi compagni hanno lottato: uomini e donne si sono sentiti esseri umani grazie al loro diritto di voto. Il libro è pervaso da un unico filo conduttore: la libertà, è per essa che Nelson si butta in politica, sacrificando la sua vita personale, affettiva e la sua carriera. Uno dei suoi più grandi rammarichi è quello di essere stato un marito ed un padre assenti, i suoi figli e sua moglie sono diventati grandi senza di lui, senza averlo accanto nelle tappe fondamentali della loro crescita, perché costantemente impegnato in una causa così importante; anche quando è stato scarcerato, ha dovuto lasciare la famiglia, perché ormai era diventato il padre della patria. Si è privato delle gioie principali della vita di un uomo per un obiettivo incerto, ma nel quale ha sempre creduto ciecamente, per essere ricompensato alla vista del suo popolo africano in fila per votare per la prima volta nella loro vita.

This book is deeply moving and profound. The way Nelson Mandela fought racism and oppression was strategic, unwavering and inspiring. I learned a lot from the way he discussed freedom and unity. I highly recommend!