jjares reviewed Nelson Mandela: The Life and Legacy of the Father of South Africa on + 3275 more book reviews
Before picking up this ebook, I knew little about Nelson Mandela, other than he was an activist and president of South Africa. This book gives him additional descriptive words -- anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist. Before Mandela was born in 1918, South Africa's pro-white business groups had already legislated and codified apartheid as the norm. This is an inspiring book about a man who went from prison to president of South Africa.
He understood that he must protect the white civil service jobs to protect the economy. If Mandela destroyed the white-based economy, the country would collapse. So, Mandela did the pragmatic thing; he reluctantly preserved those jobs to protect the country. That must have taken great courage during a time of turmoil and pressure upon him to right the wrongs of apartheid.
This story gathers together the strands of history to present a cohesive whole. Mandela's story spanned decades and this tied up all the loose ends. Mandela took on the presidency at a time when most men would be thinking about retirement. The ebook was superficial on the facts of Mandela's marriages, particularly when he divorced Winnie (his second wife).
He understood that he must protect the white civil service jobs to protect the economy. If Mandela destroyed the white-based economy, the country would collapse. So, Mandela did the pragmatic thing; he reluctantly preserved those jobs to protect the country. That must have taken great courage during a time of turmoil and pressure upon him to right the wrongs of apartheid.
This story gathers together the strands of history to present a cohesive whole. Mandela's story spanned decades and this tied up all the loose ends. Mandela took on the presidency at a time when most men would be thinking about retirement. The ebook was superficial on the facts of Mandela's marriages, particularly when he divorced Winnie (his second wife).