Long Walk to Freedom: With Connections by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom, is an inspiring account of the life of one of the world’s best-known and most revered political leaders. It is both a political autobiography, detailing Mandela’s rise to power in South Africa, as well as a moving spiritual journey of self-discovery. Published in 1994, the book chronicles Mandela’s childhood and youth in rural Transkei, where he was raised, and his coming of age as a freedom fighter and later, a leader of south Africa’s anti-apartheid movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

The book begins with Mandela’s strong focus on manhood and his engagement with African tradition. He explains how his early years in the Thembu royal family taught him the religious, cultural and practical values of manhood in this remote corner of South Africa. His acceptance of the African lifestyle and his commitment to his people’s struggle for freedom are clear through the book’s journey. At this point, Mandela had a strong sense of justice and daring, and an unerring commitment to his beliefs.

His political life soon begins, and the book charts Mandela’s travels throughout South Africa, as he grew increasingly involved in the anti-apartheid movement. Mandela explains the development of the African National Congress, its structure and its struggle for the rights of South African blacks. It quickly becomes apparent that Mandela is the dynamic leader at the centre of this organization. He outlines his leadership efforts to ensure that all South African citizens, regardless of race, would be treated with the human dignity promised in the laws of South Africa.

At times rousing, inspiring and full of passion, the book follows Mandela in his struggle as he is arrested in 1962 and put on trial for treason. His lengthy trial and his 27-year jail sentence in Robben Island further galvanize support for the anti-apartheid movement. Throughout his stay in prison, Mandela never wavers in his commitment to forgive and accept those who wronged him and his people. His faith in human decency, justice and human rights are constantly shown in the accounts of prison life.

Eventually, Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 marks a new chapter in South African history. Mandela himself is seen as the hero of the day. He soon after becomes the leader of the African National Congress and was inaugurated as President of South Africa in 1994. This is just a brief description of one of the most remarkable lives of modern times as it is laid out in Long Walk To Freedom.

The book is truly an inspiring example of courage, endurance and dignity and is full of emotional moments and real-life dilemmas and challenges. Mandela’s story is not finished even today, extending beyond his life in South Africa to his work with the United Nations and his commitment to the cause of world peace. This book is a must for any lover of history, politics and civil rights. Though short, it does a remarkable job of capturing all the events in this leader’s journey towards a free and united South Africa. It is a remarkable accomplishment and contains a wealth of information, both complex and familiar, to appeal to readers.

Long Walk To Freedom is a compelling, inspiring testament to Mandela’s lifetime of struggle and courage – a book that is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of South Africa, freedom and human rights. It is an important reminder of how the spirit of hope and perseverance can be a powerful force for change. Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire people all around the world to work for a better tomorrow.