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Mandela's Way: Fifteen Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage Audiobook
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(4.00) - 467 listener ratings
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A compact, profoundly inspiring book that captures the spirit of Nelson Mandela, distilling the South African leader’s wisdom into 15 vital life lessons We long for heroes and have too few. Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013 at the age of ninety-five, is the closest thing the world has to a secular saint. He liberated a country from a system of violent prejudice and helped unite oppressor and oppressed in a way that had never been done before. Now Richard Stengel, the editor of Time magazine, has distilled countless hours of intimate conversation with Mandela into fifteen essential life lessons. For nearly three years, including the critical period when Mandela moved South Africa toward the first democratic elections in its history, Stengel collaborated with Mandela on his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, and traveled with him everywhere. Eating with him, watching him campaign, hearing him think out loud, Stengel came to know all the different sides of this complex man and became a cherished friend and colleague. In Mandela’s Way, Stengel recounts the moments in which “the grandfather of South Africa” was tested and shares the wisdom he learned: why courage is more than the absence of fear, why we should keep our rivals close, why the answer is not always either/or but often “both,” how important it is for each of us to find something away from the world that gives us pleasure and satisfaction—our own garden. Woven into these life lessons are remarkable stories—of Mandela’s childhood as the protégé of a tribal king, of his early days as a freedom fighter, of the twenty-seven-year imprisonment that could not break him, and of his fulfilling remarriage at the age of eighty. This uplifting book captures the spirit of this extraordinary man—warrior, martyr, husband, statesman, and moral leader—and spurs us to look within ourselves, reconsider the things we take for granted, and contemplate the legacy we’ll leave behind.
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"Richard Stengel, in his book Mandela's Way, shows his own personal affection for the man, the hero, Nelson Mandela. "The African model of leadership is better expressed as ubuntu, the idea that people are empowered by other people, that we become our best selves through unselfish interaction with others." Nelson Mandela always sees the good in people, which endeared him to Richard Stengel. Before he entered prison for what he thought would be a lifetime, (it was 27 years), Nelson was more impulsive and angry about the inequality of his people. He came out of prison a strategist, a tempered man, able to see both sides of any issue and the good of every person. Prison had broadened his experience. He told Richard, "No one is born prejudiced or racist. No men is evil at heart. Evil is something instilled in or taught to men by circumstances, their environment, or their upbringing. It is not innate. Apartheid made men evil; evil did not create apartheid." It is Mandela's firm beliefs, strong convictions and leadership, understanding of human beings, devotion to creating equality, and a man of principle that endears him not only to Richard Stengel, but to people all over the world. Nelson Mandela provides the lessons to all of us in this book, just because he is who he is."
— Marcy (5 out of 5 stars)
Mandela's Way Listener Reviews
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" Not a bad read...I expected something different going into this book, but it was enlightening to read about Nelson Mandela's life. I would consider this more of a biography. "
— Bridgette, 2/19/2014 -
" Extraordinary portrait of the man. Shows just how extraordinary he is with many of the normal frailties. Such an example of learning to walk softly and wield a powerful stick, to paraphrase Churchill. A keeper. "
— Sandra, 2/11/2014 -
" The title makes it seem like a self-help book, which would normally turn me off, but how could I resist something about Mandela? Thankfully, it was a good read. "
— Jenny, 2/2/2014 -
" keep your enemies close, forgive and move forward "
— Andy, 1/22/2014 -
" A psychological biography by the writer who helped Mandela write his autobiography. Stengel spent three years with Mandela and got to know him personally. This book gives you insights into the thinking of a man who spent 26 years in prison and then led his people to forgive those who had oppressed them for generations. Mandela didn't hold it against others when they mistreated him. He recognized that they were seeking what they thought was in their best interest and moved past revenge to forgiveness and reconciliation. "
— David, 1/22/2014 -
" Inspiring, touching, and timely "
— Demetrius, 1/20/2014 -
" An enjoyable book, but more a book of philosophy and style, and not the biography that I hoped it was. I learned much of the man, but little of the times. "
— Craig, 1/17/2014 -
" A very good book on the life lessons learned from Nelson Mandela. The author presented an unbiased account of Mandela as a leader but also as a man. I especially liked how the author shed light on Mandela's stregnths as well as his shortcomings and regrets. "
— Tamara, 1/13/2014 -
" find Mandela interesting, read more as a bio than a book on what Mandela does well or has "learned". "
— Heather, 12/17/2013 -
" it's a book that need time to read, so that we can ponder on what stengel wanted to point out. it's a good book though, but repetition seems to happened in it.but reading about nelson mandela is inspiring, maybe i should bought his autobiography next. "
— Farahin, 12/17/2013 -
" Well researched and written. Some great insights into the man that is Mandela and what makes him great. It is also interesting to note his humanity and struggles. "
— Christopher, 12/11/2013 -
" Awesome book. These are life lessons one will find useful and can apply to their own life. "
— Thomas, 12/10/2013 -
" Absolutely loved this book. Very well written. I felt as though I was in Mandela's inner circle. "
— Claudine, 9/26/2013 -
" This was a good read but I saw the movie Invictus just before reading the book and feel the movie really said it quit well. "
— Jill, 8/24/2013 -
" Talk about lessons about leadership. Wow a simply amazing book about personal and professional leadership. So amazing wisdom being shared in such a small book about such an incredible leader. "
— Milla, 8/4/2013 -
" I loved this intimate look at Nelson Mandela. "
— Cindy, 7/12/2013 -
" some great lessons in life! "
— Cokkie, 7/12/2013 -
" Interesting insight into an important person. "
— Angela, 12/26/2012 -
" Read this twice...in a row. Nice way to end the day. "
— Jennifer, 10/31/2012 -
" One of my Heros. written by his offical biographer "LongWalk to Freedom" "
— Marsha, 9/18/2012 -
" A must-read biograpy on leadership for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs. "
— Lori, 5/25/2012 -
" I started listening to the audiobook. It was interesting, but not compelling enough for me to check it out again when it came due. "
— Laura, 4/23/2012 -
" Listening to book on tape by author. Amazing, but he is an amazing man. I am so fascinated by him. "
— Mary, 4/10/2012 -
" learned a lot from this one "
— Donna, 2/6/2012 -
" This was a nice book, but not a lot of new concepts. "
— Lisa, 10/17/2011 -
" Buku yang saya dapatkan dengan tidak sengaja. Ternyata isinya tidak mengecewakan sama sekali. Mandela, sebuah kisah yang betul-betul memikat. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, "Orang akan menjadi orang melalui orang lain." "
— Yogi, 10/1/2011 -
" To me, this book was really a book about effective leadership styles. It read a little like a book I would normally read for work, and yet it was much more enjoyable! I highly recommend this to anyone interested in leadership, Mandela or change management. "
— Sonny, 5/13/2011 -
" I loved this intimate look at Nelson Mandela. "
— Cindy, 1/20/2011 -
" This was a good read but I saw the movie Invictus just before reading the book and feel the movie really said it quit well. <br/> "
— Jill, 12/19/2010 -
" Listening to book on tape by author. Amazing, but he is an amazing man. I am so fascinated by him. "
— Mary, 11/29/2010 -
" So satisfying. If you want to feel as if you really know Mandela without having to read his long (auto)biography, this is a great read. I actually listened to it, read by the author. a great mix of storytelling and Mandela's philosophy on 15 topics. "
— Margy, 11/29/2010 -
" This is our book club book for December.<br/><br/>Some good lessons and an easy way to learn more about Nelson Mandela. "
— Windy, 11/19/2010 -
" find Mandela interesting, read more as a bio than a book on what Mandela does well or has "learned". "
— H.s., 10/30/2010 -
" Talk about lessons about leadership. Wow a simply amazing book about personal and professional leadership. So amazing wisdom being shared in such a small book about such an incredible leader. "
— Milla, 10/11/2010 -
" Like this so much! It's inspiring! "
— Fransisca, 10/11/2010 -
" Don't let the middle of the road rating dissuade you from reading this book. There are a lot of things about Mandela that it would be good to learn. That, in and of itself, makes this book worth reading. <br/> <br/> "
— Amelia, 9/20/2010 -
" Well researched and written. Some great insights into the man that is Mandela and what makes him great. It is also interesting to note his humanity and struggles. <br/> <br/> "
— Christopher, 8/30/2010 -
" keep your enemies close, forgive and move forward "
— Andy, 8/24/2010
About Richard Stengel
Christopher Grove is an actor, writer, and audiobook narrator. His narrations include Eye of the Storm, The Quantum Enigma, and the Right Kind of Crazy.