| Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom | ||||
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Wyk, Chris van;
Paddy Nouma (illus.)
Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom .
New York: Macmillian / Roaring Brook Press / Flash Point, 2009. $16.99,
ISBN 1596435666 / 978-1596435667 .
Note: "Nelson Mandela's autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison-and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country." Publisher's Description The story in this picture book is abridged from Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long walk To Freedom. It provides a useful summary of the highlights of Mandela's life beginning with his growing up in the Eastern Cape in his youth to his adulthood. Devoted to freedom for all in South Africa, Mandela's incarceration makes him, arguably, the most famous political prisoner in the world to become president of his country (South Africa). Being told in the first person gives the story a warm immediacy and intimacy and thus captures the reader immediately. It also succeeds in conveying Mandela's warm conversational style and capturing his disarming but forceful personality. The timeline and glossary at the end are helpful. The vibrant, colorful illustrations make the book attractive and a pleasure to read. The author tries to make the essential and necessary distinction between tribe and nation, but then in some places confuses this matter when he refers to what he himself considers nations as ".....tribes,such as Sothos, Zulus, and Tswana's". All in all the book is a welcome addition to the many books about a man recognized the world over as a great leader. Copyright 2010 Africa Access.
Reviewed by: Lesego Malepe, Independent Scholar Subject: South Africa / Biography / Nelson Mandela |
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