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Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,566 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Beginning in a jail cell and ending in a rugby tournament-the true story of how the most inspiring charm offensive in history brought South Africa together. After being released from prison and winning South Africa's first free election, Nelson Mandela presided over a country still deeply divided by fifty years of apartheid. His plan was ambitious if not far-fetched: use the national rugby team, the Springboks-long an embodiment of white-supremacist rule-to embody and engage a new South Africa as they prepared to host the 1995 World Cup. The string of wins that followed not only defied the odds, but capped Mandela's miraculous effort to bring South Africans together again in a hard-won, enduring bond.
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"There are well written sports tales. There are many insightful political tomes. There are many wonderful works of history that brings the lives and struggles of real human beings to the fore. Few works combine all three. I can think of a handful, like "unbroken" and "carlise vs. army". At a time when nation's around the world fell apart and erupted in war, South Africa remade itself as a country and a people. This is the story of a man who transcended race to become a symbol of his new nation, a team that was a symbol of oppression that became a symbol of brotherhood, and a decades long struggle for the soul of a country."
— Brian (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A triumphant conversion…It is a portrait of South Africa’s answer to George Washington and it works because Carlin got so close to Mandela and the people Mandela seduced.”
— Financial Times -
“Revelatory…A tight, gripping and powerful book that shines a light on a moment of hope, not just for one nation but the whole world.”
— Daily Express (London) -
“Carlin…personally interviewed most of the principals involved in this fascinating story and undertook the project with Mandela’s blessing. A new slant on the familiar but always inspiring saga of Mandela’s rise to power.”
— Booklist (starred review)
Invictus Listener Reviews
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" It really made me appreciate what Mandela has done. "
— Jackson, 2/7/2014 -
" Loved the history of Nelson Mandela and gave me an appreciation for the impact sports can have in our society. "
— Annettemason, 2/5/2014 -
" Finally gave up on this one, since the writing is egregious. Historically rich, but severely dry. I haven't been that bored since reading all of those "so-and-so begat so-and-so"s in the Old Testament. I might have hung in there if I didn't have so many other exciting books waiting for my attention. "
— Emilia, 2/1/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. Partly because my husband loves rugby as much as any South African and mostly becuase I learned a lot about the culture behind Nelson Mandela. This book isn't totally about politics. It's about charming your enemies and finding all the good in bad situations, and people. This has made me want to learn a lot more about Nelson Mandela, the man who brought South Africa together. "
— Heather, 1/23/2014 -
" I haven't seen the movie, but the book was phenomenal. I learned so much about Mandela. "
— Cookie, 1/22/2014 -
" It is interesting to know the story of how Nelson Mandela came to power and the nation joined the match am the final rugby world cup 1995. "
— Lucas, 1/20/2014 -
" An accounting of the years after Mandela was released from prison, became president and pulled the country together. I wasn't impressed with Carlin's writing but it's an amazing story and a good insight into the incredible person of Nelson Mandela. "
— Joan, 1/7/2014 -
" Los milagros los hacen personas como Nelson Mandela. "
— Sara22, 12/24/2013 -
" Amazing, eloquent and lovely! Sad inspiring and defiant! Neslon Mandella make me want to cry, shout, and sing at the same time. "
— Tyger, 12/11/2013 -
" i can't be objective in my review as these events were my reality way back when... i will always remember the day SA won the 1995 rugby world cup!!! "
— Anoushka, 11/28/2013 -
" This is so much more than the movie. It should be a must read! "
— Rhian, 6/8/2013 -
" Great book, very sad story at first. Incredible resilience. The movie was just the middle part of the book, the historical context and the conclusion was not given. Movie did well the portion of the story it told. "
— Don, 2/24/2013 -
" Page-turning, fascinating true account of how rugby and Nelson Mandela overthrew the Nationalist Apartheid system in South Africa. I'm not a sports fan and I LOVED this book. A must read. "
— Rhea, 1/1/2013 -
" Nice to see the background of an event that occurred when I was old enough to appreciate the significance of it. The book is a good mix of fact-telling and storytelling, making it very readable. "
— Sandra, 12/17/2012 -
" I get to see the movie tonight; it will be interesting to see how faithful it is to this great story "
— Batesharbuck, 6/22/2012
About John Carlin
John Carlin grew up in Argentina and in the UK and spent 1989–95 in South Africa as the Independent’s correspondent there. He has also writen for the (London) Times, the Observer, the Sunday Times, and the New York Times. His previous books include Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation, the basis of the Oscar-nominated film Invictus, and Knowing Mandela.
About Gideon Emery
Gideon Emery was raised in England and South Africa, where he won the National Vita Award for Comedy and a Gold Craft Award for Voice-over. Now based in Los Angeles, he has appeared on such television series as 24, Burn Notice, Eleventh Hour, CSI:NY, and Moonlight. His film credits include Primeval, Train, and Takers. He is also an in-demand voice for video games.