Mandela's Way

Fifteen Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage

By: Richard Stengel

Narrated by: Richard Stengel

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

We long for heroes and have too few. Nelson Mandela, who recently celebrated his 91st birthday, is the closest thing the world has to a secular saint. He liberated a country from a system of violent prejudice and helped unite oppressor and oppressed in a way that had never been done before.

Now Richard Stengel, the editor of Time magazine, has distilled countless hours of intimate conversation with Mandela into 15 essential life lessons. For nearly three years, including the critical period when Mandela moved South Africa toward the first democratic elections in its history, Stengel collaborated with Mandela on his autobiography and traveled with him everywhere. Eating with him, watching him campaign, hearing him think out loud, Stengel came to know all the different sides of this complex man and became a cherished friend and colleague.

In Mandela's Way, Stengel recounts the moments in which the grandfather of South Africa was tested and shares the wisdom he learned: why courage is more than the absence of fear, why we should keep our rivals close, why the answer is not always either/or but often both, how important it is for each of us to find something away from the world that gives us pleasure and satisfaction - our own garden. Woven into these life lessons are remarkable stories of Mandelas childhood as the protegy of a tribal king, of his early days as a freedom fighter, of the 27-year imprisonment that could not break him, and of his new and fulfilling marriage at the age of 80.

This compact book is profoundly inspiring. It captures the spirit of this extraordinary manwarrior, martyr, husband, statesman, and moral leader, and spurs us to look within ourselves, reconsider the things we take for granted, and contemplate the legacy well leave behind.

©2010 Richard Stengel (P)2010 Random House

gran libro, provocativo y profundo

Lo lei en dos días. Me dio mucha pena que termine. Lo recomiendo sin dudas.

Revolutionary

I have always been fascinated with Mandela. Listening to this endeared me to him even more. I am so grateful for the time that the author spent in creating this.

Madela’s way

A masterful and intimate telling of the story of the heroic and great human, Nelson Mandela. Also a window into the remarkable relationship between the author and his beloved subject.

Loved it! Well Read and well written.

I loved the stories of Mandela - I come from South Africa and he is the hero of my childhood.
I have one issue and it nearly had me stop listening - comparing Mandela with Obama that I take issue with. Obama has never and will never have the strength of character that Manadela has he has not had to overcome the same hardships and still come out as an extra-ordinary human being. Take that out and you have an outstanding piece of work.
Well read and well written it transported me back to the Transky.
Mandela is a living legend lets make sure we keep him that way!

A synopsis

If you could sum up Mandela's Way in three words, what would they be?

A nice review of the major lessons to take from the life of Nelson Mandela.

Simply wonderful!

This book has been recommended to me many, many times. I always thought that there wasn't much more I could learn about Nelson Mandela. The book is very real, open, and insightful. I was able to answer some of my questions about the man as well as take away lessons for my own life. I now think it's one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure to read/listen to. Truly wonderful.

Gentleman

A great story of growth to maturity in grace . Author gave us a verbal picture of a most important man at the forefront of a more transcendental area

Important life lessons for all of us

Richard Stengel shares a glimpse into a remarkable man, Nelson Mandela’s life and beliefs. Stengel’s insights are thoughtful and helpful for all of us to use in our daily lives. His ability to tell a story puts him in an elite group of great storytellers. I highly recommend this book. I pick it up and read it every year or two. I don’t think I have uncovered all the gems buried inside this book.

Great book

One of the best books I have read on Mandela. I recommend to anyone in a leadership role. Great book.

Good book about Nelson Mandela

Love it, easy and good listening. Make you understand better personality behind Mandela. recommended reading.