A Long Walk to Freedom Review by Bj Allanah

The book A Long Walk to Freedom written by Nelson Mandela chronicles Mandela's journey from being a young boy in a remote village in South Africa to becoming a leader of one of the most significant political movements in the 20th century. The book is a compelling statement showing his resilience, courage, and his strong commitment to justice and equality. The first part of the book focuses on his childhood and early years, noting that he grew up in a rural area of South Africa. He describes the traditions and customs of his tribe, the  Xhosa people. Mandela was born into authority, but his father's death and a series of misfortunes led to his upbringing under his uncle's care. The book then takes us to when he was living in Johannesburg, where he worked as a law clerk while studying at the University of South Africa. The white minority government continued to introduce repressing laws aimed at enforcing racial segregation and maintaining white control under resources in the country. Part three of the book takes us through his harsh 27-year imprisonment due to opposing South Africa's apartheid system. This part of the book provides a brutal account of the harsh and degrading conditions he and other political prisoners endured in prison. The final part of the book chronicles the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from jail and South Africa's transition to a democratic state.

As a reader, one thing I noticed while reading the book was Mandela's determination for justice and equality in South Africa. The book does a good job of highlighting the struggles he went through, yet it continues to show how he persevered through each step. One thing I liked is how he spent 27 years in jail but still continued to fight for what he believed in. The autobiography does a good job showing the traditions and customs of the Xhosa, and it does a good job showing the upbringing of himself after his dad's death. One thing I felt the book could've done was explain the repressive laws that were being introduced to South America. Instead of just saying they're repressive, show me how they actually affect him.

Overall, this was probably my favorite book I've read all year. I love how it explains his harsh upbringing, and how he persevered through all challenges on the path he took. To this day, I'm still awestruck by the fact he spent 27 years in jail, yet still fought for what was right, showing true determination toward his goals.

10/10