Nelson Mandela

Another readable compact biography in this excellent series from Short Books. Adrian Hadland, a political writer living in South Africa, traces the life of Nelson Mandela, focusing on his 10,000 days in detention as a political prisoner and his unshakeable belief in fighting for equality for black people. He describes Mandela’s upbringing and his training as a lawyer, as well as his growing conviction that he must build support for the ANC’s fight against apartheid beyond South Africa, using violence if necessary. Little space is devoted to his achievements as President of South Africa, but it offers a sympathetic portrait of the man who led his people to freedom.