Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his efforts to end apartheid. Apartheid "the state of being apart", a system of racial segregation in South Africa enforced by the National Party, 1938 - 1994.
Mr. Mandela was a member of the African National Congress, and served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
In reading this autobiography, I have really been touched by the dedication that he, and many, many others had to work towards righting injustice. They put heir lives on the line for a real purpose, equality of human beings. I know I have heard people put Mr. Mandela down as a radical and a communist and thereby dismiss the validity of his purpose. But Mr. Mandela was not a Communist. He was a Christian. He was indeed a radical if that is defined by challenging status quo. And for those who read this and can think of nothing else but the upheaval in this process in South Africa, and blame Mr. Mandela, I am not a person who is very political, and you will most likely win any debate of politics and policy during this time. That is not what I am writing about here. I am writing about an individual and that individuals dedication to a cause, which I find very admirable.
In reading this book I saw dedication and a purpose that was followed through with, at a great cost. And it is inspiring to me, in this present age I live in.
If you want to be surprised at maybe liking this man you perhaps have heard many negative statements about, I suggest you give it a read. You might be surprised as well as you might come away with a source of inspiration, as I have.
I feel like my time has been well spent in the time it has taken to read this book.
**I did finish the book and it was very much worth the read!
