Nelson Mandela

A remarkable statesman and one of the world’s longest-detained political prisoners (1964-90), Nelson Mandela has become an exemplary figure of anti-racist struggle and democracy, a moral giant. This fascinating and uncompromising biographical study paints a complex portrait of Mandela that goes beyond hagiography: it examines his quality of character, his theatrical flair, his maverick ability to absorb transnational influences, his steely survival skills, his postmodern ease with media image, and his ethical legacy.

A remarkable statesman and one of the world’s longest-detained political prisoners (1964-90), Nelson Mandela has become an exemplary figure of anti-racist struggle and democracy, a moral giant. This fascinating and uncompromising biographical study paints a complex portrait of Mandela that goes beyond hagiography: it examines his quality of character, his theatrical flair, his maverick ability to absorb transnational influences, his steely survival skills, his postmodern ease with media image, and his ethical legacy.

ELLEKE BOEHMER is Professor of World Literature in English at Oxford and the author of several books. She has also published four novels, including the recent Nile Baby (2008).