the sub-title says nelson mandela and the game that made a nation. in a nutshell, an absorbing account of how a superbly astute politician seduces an entire nation over to his point of view in a totally gracious, appeal-to-the heart-respect-the-head kind of way, complete with a rousingly feel-good ending.
by the end of the book, i have:
- heard 3 songs on youtube: nkosi sikelele, die stem, shosholoza,
- a amazed appreciation that south africa underwent not a revolution but a reconciliation,
- acquired a budding interest in rugby, and
- been inspired.
although he does overdo the comparison with religion motif a bit. forgiveness and reconciliation are fine, but redemption and atonement are best left alone unless you know exactly what you are saying.
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