Long Walk to Freedom, Vol. 2

1962-1994

By: Nelson Mandela

Narrated by: Michael Boatman, Kofi Annan

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader of our time, Long Walk to Freedom brilliantly recreates the drama of the experiences that helped shape Nelson Mandela's destiny. From his beginning in the Transkei to his being taken to Robben Island, this is the remarkable story of how a man rose so far, only to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Emotive and compelling, this is the story of an epic life.

This audiobook includes a foreword written and read by Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela's Presidential Oath of Office, an afterword from Sharon Gelman, and an interview with Long Walk to Freedom collaborator Richard Stengel.

©1994 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Burns with the luminosity of faith in the invincible nature of human hope and dignity...Unforgettable" (Andre Brink)

"Enthralling...Mandela emulates the few great political leaders such as Lincoln and Gandhi, who go beyond mere consensus and move out ahead of their followers to break new ground" (Donald Woods in the Sunday Times)

Just get it if you from South Africa

Story It's really just to get to hear what Mandela experienced and understand some decisions that he made, I really enjoyed it. Performance of narrator The names are mispronounced but it doesn't take away too much from the story.

Great!

If you could sum up Long Walk to Freedom, Vol. 2 in three words, what would they be?

Inspirational, inspirational, inspirational.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything about Nelson Mandela makes you want to be a better person.

What does Michael Boatman and Kofi Annan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am also under the impression that Nelson Mandela spoke with Boatman's voice, that's how impressive this was.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both, all the time.

Any additional comments?

Loved it!

Narrator's accents.

l really enjoyed listening to the book and was very impressed with the narrator's skills in reading Mandela's words with emphasis and feeling. Without actually imitating Mandela's distinctive speech patterns the narrator nevertheless evoked the way Mandela spoke. I was VERY disappointed with the pronouncoation of the Afrikaans, and sometimes even the English, names for people and places. I'm an English speaking SA and could tell great care had been taken over the pronunciation of African names and places, but felt that the narrator should have been better instructed on the Afrikaans words. Other than that one small irritation it is a superb book, very well read and I really enjoyed it.

Terrible pronouncation of Xhosa words

The narrator's pronouncation of Xhosa names and words is horrendous. He doesn't even pronounce "Xhosa" correctly. I fail to understand they didn't recruit a South African to narrate this book.

Loved it!

What a book...... Extremely extremely insightful! Enjoyed the experience . . . . . !

Great Work ( Biography); Challenges With Reading

What did you love best about Long Walk to Freedom, Vol. 2?

I haven't read the print version. One of the reasons I decide to listen instead of read is because of the length of the work.

What did you like best about this story?

The detail, vulnerability, humility and honesty of Mandela. It wasn't dispensing facts but felt like we were walking the journey with Madiba. It is not only informative but also inspiring and engaging.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Michael Boatman and Kofi Annan ?

I don't know many other narrators by name. However, I would've cast someone who could pronounce the names of people and places the way they should be. Michael Boatman is a great reader but failed dismally to pronounce most names and places of people. While this might not seem a big deal, it makes it difficult to follow through and further look up some of these people and places. The failure to pronounce names is almost offensive, especially when you consider the length of the reading. For someone who has some familiarity of names and how they should be said, it is a huge let down.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The length definitely restricts one from reading it in one sitting. But yes, I delayed my sleep time by a couple of hours on many nights because I couldn't stop listening. Captivating!

Any additional comments?

Great biography. The reader almost ruined it with failure to say names of people and places the way they should be.

I'm glad I listened; highly recommended.

A disservice to a superb book

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narration was absolutely appalling. A terrible almost condecending attempt at a South African accent.