Mandela: a Biography

Description

Nelson Mandela stands out as one of the most admired political figures of the twentieth century. It was his leadership and moral courage above all that helped to deliver a peaceful end to apartheid in South Africa after years of racial division and violence and to establish a fledgling democracy there. Martin Meredith's vivid portrayal of this towering leader was originally acclaimed as "an exemplary work of biography: instructive, illuminating, as well as felicitously written" (Kirkus Reviews), providing "new insights on the man and his time" (Washington Post). Now Meredith has revisited and significantly updated his biography to incorporate a decade of additional perspective and hindsight on the man and his legacy and to examine how far his hopes for the new South Africa have been realised. Published as South Africa celebrates 100 years since its founding and hosts the 2010 World Cup, Nelson Mandela is the most thorough and up-to-date account available of the life of its most revered hero.  Read more... Abstract: The acclaimed biography by the author of The Fate of Africanow with new chapters on Mandelas post-presidential years  Read more... Content: The mission school ladder -- Johannesburg -- Friends and comrades -- The apartheid machine -- The 'M' plan -- The freedom charter -- 'The fabulous decade' -- A trial of endurance -- Spear of the nation -- Capture -- Operation Mayibuye -- The Rivonia trial -- Prisoner 466/64 -- A double ordeal -- Soweto -- Free Mandela! -- Talking with the enemy -- The football club -- Botha's tea party -- A step to freedom -- The third man -- Winnie's trial -- Codesa -- Winnie's downfall -- The sunset clause -- The loneliest man -- The election roller-coaster -- Reinventing South Africa -- The bitter end -- The gravy train -- Dealing with the past -- Passing the baton -- L'envoi.