Mandela: An Audio History

Commemorative Edition

By: Radio Diaries

Narrated by: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela

Audie Award, Audiobook of the Year, 2015

Recognized as one of the most comprehensive oral histories of apartheid ever broadcast (NPR, BBC, CBC, SABC), Mandela: An Audio History tells the story of the struggle against apartheid through rare sound recordings. The series weaves together more than 50 first-person interviews with an unprecedented collection of archival sound: a rare recording of the 1964 trial that resulted in Mandela's life sentence; a visit between Mandela and his family secretly taped by a prison guard; marching songs of guerilla soldiers; government propaganda films; and pirate radio broadcasts from the African National Congress (ANC).

Once thought lost forever, Radio Diaries producer Joe Richman unearthed a treasure trove of these historic recordings in the basement archive of the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Ultimately, over 50 hours of archival recordings and many more hours of contemporary interviews with the living witnesses to South Africa's turbulent history have gone into the creation of one of the most moving audio documentaries ever produced.

Includes a commemorative 32-page booklet featuring historic photos and a complete transcript of the audio program.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2004 Original Material © 2004-2014 Radio Diaries, Inc. Packaging © 2014 HighBridge Company. (P)2014 2014 Radio Diaries, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This remarkable audio history begins with Nelson Mandela's voice proclaiming on a crackly recording his five immortal words:"I am prepared to die."... Sound effects like doors closing at Robben Island or prisoners doing hard labor at the quarry personalize the story." ( AudioFile)

Audio history, not audio book

Loved that it sounded like I was listening to a documentary with music and real audio footage

Fascinating and a slightly different take

Really enjoyable and interesting. Very short - too short! Wish I heard more from D. Tutu - what was his perspective.

Can learn enough about such a hero!

The Great Mandela

2/10/23
The fight for the end of apartheid mirrors the civil rights struggle for integration in the US in that young people were instrumental in the fight to end both. We all still live with the hope of real freedom for all people.

Loved It! A brief overview everyone should listen to

seamlessly moves through real audio footage - brilliant and beautifully woven together. Brief Overview, yet still encompassing

The inspiration ....

One of the true leaders of our life time. A beacon to those who seek peace and justice!!!!!!