-
Mandela: The Lost Tapes
- By: Richard Stengel
- Narrated by: Richard Stengel
- Audible Original Podcast
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Nov 4 20221 min
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to Cart failed.
Please try again laterAdd to Wish List failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Please try againUnfollow podcast failed
Please try again -
Dec 1 202232 mins
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to Cart failed.
Please try again laterAdd to Wish List failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Please try againUnfollow podcast failed
Please try again -
Dec 1 202223 mins
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to Cart failed.
Please try again laterAdd to Wish List failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Please try againUnfollow podcast failed
Please try again
Editorial review
By Yvonne Durant, Audible Editor
MANDELA: THE LOST TAPES IS A TOUCHING, INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH THE MAN HIMSELF AND THE GHOSTWRITER WHO BECAME HIS FRIEND
I was living in Milan when Mandela took his first steps to freedom. Pronounced with an Italian accent, his name came out as "Man-day-la." It warmed my heart every time a friend asked, "Hai sentito? Man-day-la è, libero." (Have you heard? Mandela is free.) Not that I thought Italians didn’t care, Mandela’s plight just wasn’t a typical topic of conversation. One friend, a South African woman who had been living in Italy for years, worried that he would be assassinated within days of his release. I am so happy that never happened.
Nearly 30 years before, he saved himself in a split-second decision. He was cornered by police, he had a gun in his hand—there was no way he would get out of this alive. He chose to live believing that he would get a lawyer and be exonerated. Mandela believed that the legal system would understand that he was a good man with honorable intentions as he raised his voice against the oppressive government of apartheid. Instead, there would be no lawyers, just 27 years of prison on Robben Island. That the bed Mandela had to sleep in was too short for his six-foot frame was nothing compared with the daily hardships of prison. But he prevailed. He found a way to get his 500-page autobiography decreased to 50 pages and spirited it out of prison. He even became friends with some of his jailers who were poor South Afrikaans and had their struggles too. This was a cunning move on his part in that he became a symbol of hope for those whites not born into privilege who felt oppressed. He knew he would need their support on his road to the leadership of South Africa.
As I listened, I envied the relationship that developed between Richard Stengel and Mandela. Stengel earned his trust, and it was clear that Mandela was very fond of him, almost fatherly. In fact, Stengel took his advice when he urged him to marry Mary Pfaff, the South African photographer he met while working on the book. Both of the Stengels' sons carry Mandela’s names. Their older son’s middle name is Rolihlahla, which is Mandela’s birth name, and the younger son’s middle name is Madiba, the name of Mandela’s clan. Both boys met Mandela—talk about a memorable experience!
The main lesson I learned from listening to Mandela: The Lost Tapes is the importance of perseverance. It is key because brighter days will come. No day was as bright for me during my years in Italy when I saw Nelson Mandela walking, tall and distinguished, to freedom at last.
Continue reading Yvonne's review >
His memories became the memoir.
Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 12 Best History Listens of 2022
We’ve noticed—and applaud—a trend in our members' preferences for history: Audible listeners want to hear about events of the past with both discipline and nuance. You want authoritative synthesis and reliable facts, but also to hear about people's lived experience, preferably in novelistic detail. And all of us love some juicy reconstruction from time to time. This year, we picked the best performances to fill that tall order.
What listeners say about Mandela: The Lost Tapes
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CJB
- 12-06-22
WELL WORTH IT!!
Nelson Mandela was a true and compassionate leader. This book gives a deep insight into the man that he was. Well documented and appreciated! Great narration on top of that!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kay
- 12-18-22
Interesting and Compelling!
This is a rare glimpse into the life of a great man. I am struck how he can hold both sides of an issue with understanding and compassion.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Beth Heifetz
- 12-26-22
Fantastic
One of the most beautiful and profound podcast ever. Everyone should listen to this. It’s riveting
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- christine Casey
- 12-30-22
Great audio
Was inspiring and informative. Mesmerized to listen to him and to know the man in a glimpse.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Paula
- 01-16-23
Loved
Fantastic job. Really enjoyed your perspective and how you displayed the recordings. Worth the time to listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lidija
- 05-14-23
Loved the story
It is fantastic to hear his voice and the conversations.
I learned so much not just about Mandela but about journalism.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Angelena Walker
- 10-18-23
Wish I could have met him Nelson.
Great listening to his voice. I wish I could have met Nelson Mandela in person. I followed his story when I was younger. I’m still searching for more of his knowledge.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 12-24-22
Superb
Wonderful to hear Mandela’s voice reflecting on his life and major moments in South Africa’s history.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J. Edwards
- 01-22-23
Great listen great man
Always love hearing the stories of great people who achieved change.
Enjoyed hearing his voice speaking his thoughts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- A Digression
- 02-23-23
Don't Miss This Opportunity
Fascinating glimpse into the life of Nelson Mandela. Hard to hit pause on the narrative. This is an excellent accompaniment to Long Walk to Freedom.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!