Mandela

In 1975, imprisoned for life on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela covertly wrote his autobiography. After painstaking months the text was smuggled out--and was promptly quashed by the African National Congress. In his later Long Walk to Freedom Mandela politely expresses "surprise" at this. Sampson reveals that Joe Slovo suppressed the book for not giving enough prominence to Communists. This revelation is remarkable--the ANC could have made much mileage from the book at a time of low fortune--yet Sampson does not follow up. There is too often a sense of eggshells lightly walked upon.

Mandela improves as the prisoner's release approaches. Sampson sharply exposes the machinations of those undermining the ANC's struggle. The CIA knew of the Third Force years before the ANC, yet said nothing. Right-wing governments attacked "Mandela the Communist", preferring to promote Inkhata's Buthelezi, at that time secretly and violently colluding with de Klerk's apartheid regime. Against the small-minded figures of Reagan, Thatcher and Kohl it is Mandela who emerges here a giant. South Africa won her freedom through Mandela: his strength of character and willingness to forgive helped push a country into an alternative future, avoiding the racial civil war almost all predicted. Yet he and his kin paid an awful price. Sampson draws a painful, clear picture of a disintegrating family: dislocation from children; the terrible effects of the war on Winnie, and her increasingly erratic, later murderous behaviour; Mandela's own aching loneliness. It is in capturing Madiba, the ultimate public figure, at his most intense and private, that Sampson's Mandela succeeds best. --Chris Woods

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The authoritative biography of an extraordinary man by one who knew him well - Rated
Sampson first met Mandela in the early days - he saw him as a firebrand who would be a help for the cause, but was perhaps too impetuous and rash to have a lasting impact. Little did he know! But this early acquaintance combined with a deep understanding of South Africa mean that Sampson is able to trace both Mandela's development and his place in the big picture. This is no hagiography and Sampson is not one to gloss over the flaws and mistakes. But having these articulated makes for a much more powerful and credible life story - the man who did more than anyone to prevent a blood-bath and national carnage in 1994 comes across all the more remarkably.

A wonderful and gripping book - probably the best and most authoritative of contemporary biographies that will provide an invaluable resource for generations.

An excellent political autobiography - Rated
This is potentially one of the best (if not the best) autobiographies written about Nelson Mandela. The focus is on his political activities, with special emphasis on events during his prison years. This book is a great buy for anyone interested in South African politics, Mandela's vision for SA, and the events that led to the end of Apartheid.

Probably the definitive biography - Rated
This hugely detailed biography is recommended for anyone wanting to know more about Mandela (the icon and politician), the ANC and the political transformation of South Africa. But if you want to know about Mandela the man then you may be just a little disappointed. I suspect though that this will be the definitive biography for many years to come.

A gripping account of S. Africa's history and Mandela's life - Rated
In this book Anthony Sampson has produced a thoroughly detailed account, not just of Mandela's life but of the history of the ANC. Having read "The Long Walk to Freedom", the reservations I had with that book are fully resolved here. Firstly Mandela writes little of the activities of the ANC whilst he was in prison; Sampson has provided an excellent coverage of both life within the prison and the activities without. Secondly, and understandably, Mandela writes little of the accusations against Winnie and the gradual deterioration of her status as a legitimate freedom fighter; Sampson discusses in great detail Winnie's role in the disturbances during the eighties and her lack of remorse as shown in her testemony to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

Sampson pays great attention to detail, covering each event thoroughly. This has been helped by the large amount of research he has done and the documentation he has been privy to. He has had access to all letters sent and received by the inmates on Robben Island, to the prison reports, to British and American diplomatic correspondance and to intelligence reports within South Africa, Britain and America. He has also interviewed many key figures on all sides.

Finally this book has the advantage of having been written after Nelson Mandela retired as President. As such we are provided with a fine analysis of his years in office, which previous biographies have lacked. Throughout this book Sampson also pays particular attention to discussing the views of the international community, at the time, of the situation in South Africa. This is an excellent book and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.