Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

If the material itself were a little more "audio friendly," this would get 5 stars, but there are just way too many hours of names, dates and places. Some section are virtually just lists of events and who participated ... too much to make this an entirely enthralling listening experience. Regardless, it has much to recommend it and I do highly recommend it.

Michael Boatman does a very credible South African accent, although it slips away and then comes back at odd intervals. However, he puts a a lot of effort into properly pronouncing some difficult names and words in a language most non-Africans can't say at all, much less correctly. Moreover, he has a beautiful voice and does a fine acting job with material which gets very dry for extended periods.

This book is full of contradictions. In sections consisting of "lists," I gave up trying to remember exactly who was who and waited for the story to resume, letting my brain drift through details I could not follow .You may well want to read this book again in print. It is impossible to absorb or remember it all just listening to it.

The overall story is fascinating. Amazing. Nelson Mandela does a beautiful job of explaining this intricate and contradictory ... and crazily complex ... society where nothing is simple and not to be punny, nothing is black and white. There are villains and heroes, but plenty of shades of gray too. Everyone is human and multi-faceted.

Considering his own role in the story, Mandela is relentlessly honest. He does not use his book to excuse his own bad behavior. He is imperfect and takes responsibility for his actions, good and bad. He also takes credit and is not quite the humble fellow portrayed in movies and press. He's a proud man who worked hard and paid a heavy price to accomplish something no one believed possible. While he does not make himself out to be a super hero, he IS a hero ... in my opinion more heroic because of his fallibility and willingness to learn from errors. It is refreshing. Honesty is uncommon in political autobiographies.

So despite the fact that there are sections of material that make pretty dull listening, if you wait, the scene will shift and suddenly, there's tension and excitement. The story of how this strange nation emerged from the darkness into light is probably unique in human history and definitely worth listening to. If you have any interest at all in Africa, or even a mild curiosity, you should read it. I learned so much I will need to read it again. \

It's possibly the strangest combination of social groupings anyone could imagine. Melding them into a nation without the obvious huge obstacle of Apartheid would have been difficult. Given the realities, it is astounding that this is a success story. It boggles the mind.

From the point of view of production, it's very smooth with a nice use of occasional music for punctuation. Very well done all around.

Everyone, especially Africans should read this book to understand the evils of intolerance as we all move forward in life. We should preach the word that to deny another human being equal rights just because we do like or understand them is pure evilness at its height. The Nazi’s intolerance towards Jews, The Africana’s intolerance towards Africans, the so called Christians intolerance towards gays and so on and so forth. A great book from a great man and leader in the struggle for equality for ALL South Africans.

Yes, in order to review the stages in his life.

His determination to find freedom for the natives of South Africa.

His voice in giving life to Mandela's words.

Fighting apartheid and finding freedom in South Africa

One fine book which took Nelson years to write, which he started in prison. Very touching to an American who distains prejudice and strongly admires this freedom fighter.

I'm a big fan of Nelson Mandela and appreciate his incredible accomplishments and contributions to the South Africa and the world. However, let me warn you, if you are primarily interested in his experience in prison and afterwards this is not the book for you. That time in his life is only a small portion of the book. This book documents his life leading up to the more well known time in Mandela's life. Outstanding narrator!

I recently went to South Africa and this book came to life. I saw many of the places

It was easy to listen and is entertaining.

I definately would, this is one of the best books I have ever read.

The history and how it changed my views of Nelson Mandela. I used to think that he suffered a lot his whole life due to prejudice. But reading the book changed my mind. I now see him as an example of a great human who fought and won what we wanted for his nation.

Yes, when me meets Winie in person after so many years in prison. I met Winie with him, I was just so happy that I couldn't stop crying.

This is a book that should be read by everone in the world.

It is a true story,that after nearly three decades of imprisonment,abuse, and,mental torture ,a person can forgive, go forward and the country follow the lead.The answer to hatred is forgivness.It saved South Africa from civil war,an example to other states

It is much more than a book.It transmit an attitude of forgivness.As a frequent visitor to South Africaiit deals in part with living history,peoples names in the book are often place names now

This book should be part of reading lists at schools to further understanding of different cultures and demonstates the overcoming of revenge and hatred is the way out of what can be a vicious cycle of cuture violence.It stimulates thought that had Gandhi lived the Indian continent might have been different now

The amazing journey of patience and perseverance of an amazing man.

The Journey

Very eloquent delivery of an amazing true depiction.

Best so far

He did such a great job. I actually thought he was South African

I wish but it was too long to do that