The Spiritual Mandela, Dennis Cruywagen
The Spiritual Mandela, Dennis Cruywagen
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The Spiritual Mandela
Faith and Religion in the Life of Nelson Mandela

Author: Dennis Cruywagen

Narrator: Cary Hite

Unabridged: 5 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Scribd Audio

Published: 10/05/2021


Synopsis

In the first book of its kind, an acclaimed South African journalist and former parliamentary spokesperson for the ANC shares how Nelson Mandela balanced his Christian faith with his political views, exploring how the beloved leader reconciled his own beliefs with the hard truth that religion had often been used as a tool to oppress his people.

"Insightful. . . a nuanced understanding of how faith influenced the renowned civil rights activist."
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

". . .illuminating and an essential addition to studies of Mandela's life and work."
—Booklist

Nelson Mandela revealed nothing about his personal religious beliefs in his writings or in his public pronouncements. But those who were close to him know that he held Christian views. At his request, the final components of his funeral followed the Methodist service.

Acclaimed journalist Dennis Cruywagen traces the spiritual component of Mandela's life, from his youth in a traditional Thembu village to his education at Wesleyan and Methodist mission schools to his time as an activist to his period on Robben Island and the years thereafter. Based on interviews with some of Mandela's close colleagues, such as Ahmed Kathrada, as well as priests and other religious figures with whom he interacted, this book unearths an unknown dimension of one of recent history's most respected men.

Reviews

Goodreads review by The Book Girl on April 28, 2018

I went into this book without knowing much about Mandela. The Spiritual Mandela by Dennis Cruywagen, is a well-written book. You can tell the author really did the research about his life, works, and belief system. Which is something I appreciated. The book follows the life of Nelson Mandela. It doe......more

Goodreads review by Ken on November 18, 2018

Before reading this book, I had only a vague understanding of the role of Nelson Mandela in helping to end apartheid in South Africa. I knew that as a member of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela had been jailed for many years because of his anti-apartheid activities, and that he had serve......more

Goodreads review by Mrsk on December 11, 2017

The Spiritual Mandela: Faith and Religion in the Life of Nelson Mandela by Dennis Cruywagen, is extremely well researched and written. The author details the life of Nelson Mandela chronologically and pays special attention to the influence of the Methodist Church and its' clergy on the education, d......more

Goodreads review by Silvia on January 14, 2018

Nelson Mandela life is written in this book with every detail about his childhood, time in prison, the presidency and personal life. Such a strong and inspirational leader. The book is very instructive and full of important quotes. I've enjoyed it from the first page. And at the end, there are notes......more

Goodreads review by Keegan on October 06, 2017

This book brought me to tears at places and was deeply rooted in the inner life of Nelson Mandela. From a perspective of close friends and family prison transformed this man deeply. Makes me want to spend 27 years in confinement to find out what life is really about. Enjoyed this, a breathe of fresh......more