Nelson Mandela, Elleke Boehmer
Nelson Mandela, Elleke Boehmer
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

Nelson Mandela
A Very Short Introduction (2nd Edition)

Author: Elleke Boehmer

Narrator: Zoleka Vundla

Unabridged: 6 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/28/2024


Synopsis

A pathbreaking analysis of the relationship between Mandela the myth, and Mandela the historical figure, looking at the way images, stories, and politics have been combined to create the iconic image of Mandela that we know today.

Boehmer explores the long trajectory of Mandela's life, explaining first the historical and political context of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and then the post-apartheid period of difficult reconciliation, including the shifts and changes in Mandela's reputation since the millennium.

This innovative postcolonial reflection takes on board the more critical revisionist literature on Mandela that has emerged since 2015, looking at responses to his death in 2013, and the 2018 commemorations of the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The first edition set a trend in scholarship on Mandela by reading his character and achievements through the lens of his influences, interests, and leading ideas. The second edition extends this focus with a far-reaching critical look at meanings of reconciliation and Mandela's ethic of reciprocity.

About Elleke Boehmer

Elleke Boehmer started her career lecturing in English and postcolonial literature at the Universities of Exeter and Leeds. In 2000 she moved to a chair in colonial and postcolonial literature at Nottingham Trent University and in 2004 and took up the Hildred Carlile chair in English at Royal Holloway, University of London. In 2019 Boehmer was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, UK. She is an Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jacob

This book got off to a slow start, with a bit of academic shop talk about how academics have written about Mandela. But after that, the book was engrossing. It covers Mandela’s biography well and then goes on to consider him topically, based on the different roles he played in his life. I usually do......more

Goodreads review by Stan

This "very short introduction" to the life and accomplishments of Nelson Mandela was my first foray into the life of an incredible leader. The book is well written and positive towards Mandela (though admitting he had his flaws, as we all do). I really enjoyed the complete picture it painted of his......more

Goodreads review by Becky

Overly academic in its approach. But informative.......more