Long Walk to Freedom - 1994
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island for his role as a leader of the then-outlawed ANC. He later achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle still continued against apartheid in South Africa.
Mandela dedicated his book to "my six children, Madiba and Makaziwe (my first daughter) who are now deceased, and to Makgatho, Makaziwe, Zenani and Zindzi, whose support and love I treasure; to my twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who give me great pleasure; and to all my comrades, friends and fellow South Africans whom I serve and whose courage, determination and patriotism remain my source of inspiration."
Reading only an intro, 4 parts of the autobio, plus skimming the rest, my impression was that Nelson Mandela was a man driven to a purpose to gain fairness and respect for native Africans. From a limited tribal childhood, his education about the greater world grew step by step, and his tribal pride enlarged to encompass all of the nation of So Africa. His focus cost him his first wife and family and on more than one occasion, his freedom.
ReplyDeleteThe tribal traditions of Africa were akin to the customs of Native Americans, as were the disrespect and limitations forced on them by colonizing Whites. The other parallel is with the slow, ongoing progress of Blacks in America as they work for recognition as equal human beings.
What set Mandela apart from others coming from tribal beginnings and enabled him to rise to lead despite a belief in nurture over nature was a recognition in himself of his father’s “proud rebelliousness and stubborn sense of fairness.” He observed those he admired and who mentored him, and put to use practical application of lessons that he saw worked, for example to listen to all sides before making a decision or taking action.
His memory for detail must have served him well, as his recollection of names, description, feelings and motives from even earliest childhood grace his self-told life story.
If there is a negative observation aside from the laborious detail and the difficult African names, it is a seeming ego, emphasized by being the lone narrator. Perhaps it is this confidence that enabled him to achieve ends that were far from selfish to advance human rights and racial equality.
He was definitely pragmatic and perhaps a true politician. Not so much in the nasty sense that the word evokes currently but in his observation, leading from behind, and using resources that had to be used. It certainly isn’t in sync with his gentle image but reality was not gentle either for him. He misleads his allies, manipulates followers, and defers to dictators and despots who support his liberation struggle. Tactics trump principles despite his oft-stated insistence on having a strong moral code and personal accountability. What regret he has over betraying his own comes out meekly if it all. Mandela did balance of a concept of honor and personal/national interests.
Deleteuhoh, I let too much time pass from completion of part 4 and hasty skimming of the rest of Long Walk. He included so much detail that I’m not sure what would have been gained by slogging through the entire book. I did try to keep him in mind as I read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s focus on 4 Presidents who were also the right man for their time, Lincoln, the two Roosevelts, and LBJ. Each made mistakes but history offsets their failures with their positive lasting contributions to our country and the greater world. No doubt Mandela deserves the adulation he receives for a huge step forward for human rights in So Africa. If only progress would continue and not backslide, as our human condition is wired to do!
ReplyDeleteSimilar traits directed the paths of all 5 leaders, even though they lived in different times with varying challenges. They were all able to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, using or correcting as needed. They shared the ability to read others, both colleagues and opponents and to use their insight to achieve their moral purpose, while maintaining honor and keeping their word to evoke trust. They all listened to and evaluated the lessons of strong mentors as they focused on definite goals. They all faced adversity from an early age, and from those hardships and obstacles they developed inner strength to bring them to future success. They had driving ambition and an early focus on a purpose to serve the better good. They experienced politics at a
young age and used storytelling and oratory skills to sway crowds. Interestingly they were students of history and voracious readers. Listing these ingredients without specific examples for each man makes a weak soup, but focus here is on Nelson Mandela and the formula which creates leadership. Perhaps others have one or even two characteristics, but it seems when one owns the whole crayon box, he can elevate to great achievements.
In contrast and with deep sadness, I observe none of these attributes in our current President.
The legend of Nelson Mandela might be the only thing larger than the changes he helped engineer. I got into this book with a fear that any dislike on my part would be sacrilegious as he is about as close to sainthood as a secular figure can be. Thankfully one of the greatest strengths of the book is showing Mandela’s humanity. His failings do come across though he might always consider them such and is quick to justify them when they are acknowledged. I might always agree with some of his actions but I would be shocked if anyone could dispute his drive, his resolve, and his purpose.
ReplyDeleteI can’t say that I enjoyed the book but can see why it is important to have read it. The length, the feel of the writing, and the casual and lengthy list of tribes, historical kingdoms, and names of even causal acquaintances was a bit tiring at times. It often felt, especially in the second half of the book, that names were being mentioned for political connections later as opposed to having any major bearing on the narrative.
It was also interesting to note that he had a crystal clear recollection of names, places, events, and people from his early life but the latter part of his life as seen through the lens of the last third of the book seemed to rely more and more on second and third hand sources such as letters to complete the narrative.
Mandela has lived a lifetime of mistrust as a result of institutional discrimination but does it work both ways? In prison, the quality of the food was a constant issue as notes in Mandle’s memory. Once the authorities ceded control of the kitchen from the common law prisoners to the political prisoners, despite the food not markedly improving other than additional protein, the food was much less notable in the text. He faced very real injustice and was treated in a way that no person or animal deserves. Yet he is quite reluctant to credit improved conditions. He does credit certain prison guards, the judges in the treason trial, and such with their open-mindedness but is more interested in identifying the wrongs as opposed to the rights. He expresses an extreme distrust of anything outside his own circle and organization, fostered by years of secrecy and fugitive living. The can also be seen in his outright hatred, an emotion obvious despite the gentler language used, of the Pan African Conference. He stressed the need for Pan-Africanism but also is quick to mention his tribal background and affiliations and I felt he often discriminated against others’ lineage or connections though in his defense it was not uncommon for a country forced together under the governance of an outside power.
Mandela was a great man that was in the right place at the right time. He had his faults and is far from perfect. His treatment and dismissal of Winnie almost made me stop reading the book. Politicians do have to use situations and people, sometimes for the greater good, but his treatment of her and his family is pretty hard to swallow. Considering his own activities in militarism and sabotage, it felt odd for him to distance himself so completely for “moral” reasons. He deals only in passing with the tragic decline of his wife who was convicted of kidnapping after she sent her bodyguards to seize and beat four young men, one of whom was found with his throat cut. Mandela admits he is full of self-blame for his estranged wife's suffering and insists without much conviction that he believes her innocent. It is all well and good and I can appreciate that there is a lot left unwritten about this personal part of his life but he is much more candid when it serves him and his cause.
ReplyDeleteHe had a long life in politics in a very volatile and fractured country. Change was exceptionally and embarrassingly slow in coming. The scope of his book reflects this scale of time and as such, suffers from the attempt to recall the events of a lifetime. His life was exciting and filled with incredible hardship, tremendous joy, danger, and drama. Somehow the book meanders nevertheless. As mentioned previously, I might attribute this largely to his use of a ghost writer. Perhaps a life that impacted so many can’t be so easily transcribed into sound bites to entertain. The world is a better place for Mandela having been in it no matter how the story is told.
Thinking more on this book, Mandela's story might only suffer from the lack of voice, something he was not accused of during his life. I did mention the ghost writer. The book did feel like it was being told through a screen or filter. I am sure the transcription of the interviews and construction of the book was undertaken with the utmost care and view to Mandela's legacy. At least I would hope so though learning that there was later a second autobiography made me wonder if Mandela himself was not completely happy with the form Long Walk took. The impact of his character and his speaking does not come across in the book as much as one would like. While he did grow as a person and politician, it seems his charisma and talents for leadership were always there so I can't attribute the muted nature as a symptom of charting his growth.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt a fine book and a powerful story but I walk away feeling like it could have imparted more about his life, his choices, and his advice.