• Long Walk to Freedom

  • The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
  • By: Nelson Mandela
  • Narrated by: Michael Boatman
  • Length: 27 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (4,836 ratings)

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Long Walk to Freedom  By  cover art

Long Walk to Freedom

By: Nelson Mandela
Narrated by: Michael Boatman
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Publisher's summary

The autobiography of global human rights icon Nelson Mandela is "riveting...both a brilliant description of a diabolical system and a testament to the power of the spirit to transcend it" (Washington Post).

Nelson Mandela was one of the great moral and political leaders of his time: an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country.

After his triumphant release in 1990 from more than a quarter century of imprisonment, Mandela was at the center of the most compelling and inspiring political drama in the world. As president of the African National Congress and head of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, he was instrumental in moving the nation toward multiracial government and majority rule. He is still revered everywhere as a vital force in the fight for human rights and racial equality.

Long Walk to Freedom is his moving and exhilarating autobiography, destined to take its place among the finest memoirs of history's greatest figures. Here for the first time, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela told the extraordinary story of his life - an epic of struggle, setback, renewed hope, and ultimate triumph.

The book that inspired the major motion picture Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
©1995 Nelson Mandela (P)2011 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Narrator Michael Boatman has a gentle but insistent voice that suggests a certain grace and is well suited for the memoir of this worldwide symbol of persistence and justice. Boatman’s authentic pronunciation of South African tribes and other words also lends great credibility to his reading. He narrates at an unhurried pace and lingers on certain words throughout the book in order to let us inhale Mandela’s meanings." (AudioFile)

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What listeners say about Long Walk to Freedom

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amazing

great book, very well written in a pleasant easy way. even as big as it is, it is so interesting and full of lessons that worth every second.

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So Good!

I don't have a lot of time in a day to read. I was only able to get through this amazing text because of Audible. fantastic performance. I'll be keeping it around to listen to again.

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Long walk to the end of this book! 😀

But we’ll worth it! An amazing life. The narrator is excellent. It’s like listening to Mandela himself.

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Story behind the legend.

This is a beautiful story which culminates in a glorious finale. I'm a skeptic when it comes to memoirs but I truly want to believe this one is genuine.

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That book change my life.

That book showed me what suffering means ! What patience means . What love , courage and belief means.

Most importantly it showed me what is the truth power in life .

Nelson Mandela !!!

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A non-South African narrating Mandela’s memoir??

An American narrating Nelson Mandela’s books is probably the poorest “casting” for a narrator one could imagine. Mr. Boatman speak in an affected South African accent that makes you not sure whether to laugh or cry.

With all of the talented South Africans who could have done this narration in an authentic way, it is a shame that the publishers selected a non- South African.

Poor decision with an inauthentic result.

What a shame for such an iconic book.

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very inspiring book and very well narrated by the narrator ......just feel like going on listening

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life-changing

This is a fascinating, eye-opening, and, quite frankly, life-changing book. It's long but worth every word.

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A book to be revisited

I felt as if Mr Mandela were keeping me company throughout these very long hours, and decades. Now I must read the book itself. What a journey.

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Every person should read this book

This is well writtena and well spoken, possibly my new favorite book. I might read it again right away. It brought me to tears multiple times. His struggle, persistence, grace, humanity, forgiveness, negotiation skills, skills in timing and personal sacrifice are so endearing and so wonderful, I believe I will use the lessons I learned from this book to make myself a better person. If for no other reason than to emulate such a great man in my own small way. I have a new hero and I knew hardly anything about him before he died. For that I am truly sad. I would have celebrated him to the fullest and I now will posthumously. 🙏❤✊🏻✊🏿 RIP Nelson Mandela

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