Playing the Enemy Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Great book about a great man. Cynthia and I arrived in New Zealand in mid-1996. The country was still mourning its World Cup loss to South Africa. I don't think anyone in New Zealand realized how important that victory was to South Africa. "

" Definitely got a little tedious in the middle, but Wow! Am I glad I stuck with it. I guess even his own book got a little tedious at times. I learned so much about humility and forgiveness, understanding, working to bring out the best in people, seeing the hand of the Lord in the most unlikely of events, and the virtue of hope! Not to mention the final game was so exciting! I think everyone should read the book first before they watch the movie. "

" Great book. One of the best I've read in a while. This is the book upon which the movie Invictus is based. While I really liked the movie, the book is better and has a much broader perspective. It is a study of the leadership of Nelson Mandela and how he led the (largely) non-violent transition to majority rule in South Africa. The rugby world cup match is used as a central focus of the book. It exemplifies Mandela's approach both in large ways (reaching out to the Afrikaners by embracing a sport and team most of his supporters detested) and in small ways (his cultivation of personal relationships with those in whom he has little in common.) Very glad I read it. "

" Wonderful piece of history and a thrilling story expertly told. I do wonder how you can have spoilers in this though with the cover picture as displayed! "

" I'm not much of a non-fiction guy, but this was super interesting! All about Nelson Mandela during his time incarcerated to the time he became the leader of South Africa. I thought the book would focus much more on the rugby game that "made" the nation, but really it was all about Mandela and how he was a master of getting people on his side, sport included. Great read. "

" Solid recounting of how Mandela used the Rugby World Cup as a PR offensive for the infant democracy in South Africa, but nothing special to write home about. "

" I enjoyed this book. The stories were all really good. I admit it took me a long time to read, because I had a hard time focusing... I don't think it was the book's fault though... "

" The story behind "Invictus." The focus is more on Mandela than I recall the movie being. A must-read for anyone interested in South Africa or what it takes to be a true peacemaker. Definitely a page-turner. "

" Mandelas skill in negotiating the dangerous currents in South Africa in bring a country together would be of use in today's US. "

" This book was extremely interesting - definately not a quick read however; more of a "take a taste" once a week or so. The author was very detailed in his historical detail and I felt I really got to know Mandella. I find I really love this gentle man after reading this book! "

" 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. "

" Nelson Mandela had a master plan to bring his country together and it was conceived over many years while he was a political prisoner. "

" LOVE IT! Nuanced and insightful combination of politics, psychology, history, and inspiration. "

" An amazing story about how a great man was able to use a sport to turn the opinions of people on both side of a huge issue and heal a nation. An absolutely powerful and uplifting book! "

" Read this before I realized Clint Eastwood was making a movie about it. And I totally called Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela. "

" Interesting angle on the modern history of South Africa. "

" Both an inspiring bit of wordsmithing and a nice primer on South Africa and what the country had to overcome to free itself from Apartheid. "

" Amazing, eloquent and lovely! Sad inspiring and defiant! Neslon Mandella make me want to cry, shout, and sing at the same time. "

" Also known as Invictus, this book is WAY better than the movie, though Morgan Freeman does a great job playing Mandela "

" Outstanding. Great read & great subject. One of my all-time favorite books. Mandela's achievement and the use of rugby as a way to tell his story makes for a wonderful read. "

" um bom livro de uma biografia de Homem Brilhante. "

" I really enjoyed this topic. Not super well written, but very interesting. "

" Appreciated the author's intertwining of so many individual's memories and perceptions of the events leading up to changes in South Africa. The mark of a good journalist - he listened to understand. The mark of a good author - he wove all of that together in a memorable story. Highly recommend. "

" Very interesting. I am almost finished with it. "

" I saw the movie first and then read this book. The book (as usual) adds a lot of detail and color to the story. Mandela's leadership is worth studying, and this book does a good job of explaining how he won over factions in his own party and extreme conservatives from the opposing party as well. "

" I saw the movie and much preferred the book. Reading anything about Nelson Mandella is a good idea. "