Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

By: Nelson Mandela - editor

Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Matt Damon, Alan Rickman

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales is an audiobook benefiting children orphaned and impacted by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Featured narrators include Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker, and Alfre Woodard, with a special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends by Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela, directed by Alfre Woodard.

The audiobook was a truly international affair, recorded in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London, and Johannesburg. The stories were chosen by the Nobel Laureate himself, from every region of Africa.

Net proceeds will benefit the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Artists for New South Africa, which works in the U.S. and South Africa to combat HIV/AIDS, provide comprehensive assistance to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, advance human rights, educate and empower at-risk youth, and build bonds between both nations. Both organizations are working to address the impact of the AIDS pandemic on children in South Africa.

All the individuals and companies involved in the effort have donated their services to allow a maximum amount of proceeds to benefit the charities. In addition to waiving sales and distribution fees, Hachette Audio will donate 100% of proceeds to ANSA and NMCF, and NB Publishers has waived fees, so additional royalties can benefit NMCF. The audiobook was manufactured by Ivy Hill/Cinram, which is donating a significant portion of their services. The actors, creative director, engineers, graphic designers, attorneys, and recording studios fully donated their services, as did three-time Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen, who mastered the audiobook.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2009 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"In tales such as these, the dream-like, unpredictable symbology and sometimes cruel morality of myths resonate, and, in Mandela's words, the 'gritty essence of Africa' shines through in stories with universal themes." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful short stories, great reading.

Would you consider the audio edition of Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales to be better than the print version?

The readers as one would think are outstanding, try to guess who since it is not announced!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales?

The generosity of the Sultan's son and his reward.

The generosity of the young boy going to market and his success.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Seen their movies. All Pros!

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

Feel good, it is intended as a children's book but I would recommend it to adults, especially those with children and grandchildren.

Any additional comments?

I may have to get this on Kindle for my wife and/or granddaughter. They will have to miss out on the super audio.

My 5 and 6 year old love these stories

Interesting and unusual stories that have my children captivated. The music in between the stories adds so much, I love to dance to it and and my daughter loves to sing with them!

Delightful

If you ever want to venture forth into the imagination of the mind and folklore of the heart of Africa, then my all means open up this beautiful book and take a deep breathe of the Serengeti .

Great CD! No Story/Performer list

What did you love best about Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales?

Alan Rickman! Alan Rickman! Alan Rickman!

What did you like best about this story?

The stories were funny, engaging and appropriate for children and adults. The stories and performers (most of them - not all) are worth listening to repeatedly. I highly recommend this CD. Plus, purchase goes to a good cause.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Alan Rickman! There is not enough praise for him. Other readers left wonderful stories flat. Some actors are personalities and not trained actors so only their fame earned them a place with the real talent.

Any additional comments?

If you have any hesitation purchasing this CD, don't! It is an excellent compilation and well performed album for anyone of any age or gender.

Great in the car! The music adds interest.

Would you listen to Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales again? Why?

Yes! Unique stories.

What did you like best about this story?

The moral lessons w/out being contrite.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Too many to pick.

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

Kids from 8-15 yrs. old all listened w/interest.

Any additional comments?

The african influenced music made it all the more captivating.

A Good Listen

I enjoyed listening to these little stories. They were made more endearing by the fact that Nelson Mandela picked them out from among his favorites. The narrators were well chosen and did a truly great job. The music, accents, the whole direction of these stories came together to set an enjoyable ambiance. It has a delicious African flavor, and teaches some good lessons in the mean time.

Uplifting and fun

This compilation is great to listen to in the car. There are different voices, male and famale, African and not, and tales ranging from quick and Aesop-like to longer, from Table Mountain to north African stories. Each carries a rhythm of Africa and occasionally a song embedded.

Great performances in storytelling

This was a very fun audiobook and is more performance than narration. Each story was narrated by a different person, many of them well known actors and actresses. There was lots of African music woven in which added to the whole experience.

I'd recommend to everybody. This would be a great way to fill up a few hours on a road trip.

Get it now! It's Awesome!

Would you listen to Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales again? Why?

We've already listened to it twice in 2 days! All the stories are fun and quite funny as well. Not too much moralising, just great stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales?

The story of Kasingi taking banans and pawpaws and chickens to market. Very funny.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Whoopi Goldber's story of the Djinn.

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

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Very good value for money, told all my friends about it.

Some very cool stories

I bought this for the kids and found myself listening too it over again. Loved the multiple celeb narrations, made it even cooler.