An unforgettable portrait of one of the most inspiring historical figures of the twentieth century, published on the centenary of his birth. Arrested in 1962 as South Africa's apartheid regime intensified its brutal campaign against political opponents, forty-four-year-old lawyer and African National Congress activist Nelson Mandela had no idea that he would spend the next twenty-seven years in jail. During his 10,052 days of incarceration, Mandela wrote hundreds of letters to unyielding prison authorities, fellow activists, government officials, and most memorably to his courageous wife, Winnie, and his five children. Now, 255 of these letters, a majority of which were previously unseen, provide the most intimate portrait of Mandela since Long Walk to Freedom. Whether writing about the death of his son Thembi after a request to attend the funeral was ignored, providing unwavering support to his also-imprisoned wife, or outlining a human-rights philosophy that resonates today, The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela reveals the heroism of a man who refused to compromise his moral values in the face of extraordinary human punishment. Ultimately, they position Mandela, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., among the most inspiring historical figures of the twentieth century.
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“Atandwa Kani’s portrayal of Nelson Mandela is so engrossing that listeners will be completely absorbed…Kani’s performance embraces Mandela’s moral authority, compassion, and intellect…Throughout, Kani projects Mandela’s voice as a standard of dignity and righteousness. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
“Heartbreaking and inspiring…The most direct evidence yet of Mandela’s intellectual evolution into one of the great moral heroes of our time…With words as his only ammunition, Mandela fought his case patiently, on lined paper, his eloquence inseparable from his rectitude.”
— New York Times Book Review“An astonishing outpouring…A new lens to view his personal and political growth…[and] explain how Mandela survived his grueling incarceration with his passions and integrity intact.”
— Los Angeles Times“A landmark historical source and a dramatic read.”
— Booklist (starred review)“The man who emerges is warm and intelligent and a savvy, persuasive, and strategic thinker…Venter adds tremendous value with his annotations and introductions.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Anyone seeking to understand one of the guiding lights of the antiapartheid fight will find these letters a vital resource.”
— Publishers WeeklyBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) won the Novel Peace Prize in 1993 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President George W. Bush, among many other accolades. He became the first freely elected president of South Africa in 1994. He gained popularity while in prison for being a prominent member of the African National Congress and became a leading figure in the anti-apartheid movement. He authored numerous works, including the New York Times bestseller Conversations with Myself, as well as his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.
Atandwa Kani is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.