This
book is a first in many ways. Authentic to its core. Be ready
to hear about Nelson Mendela's life through the eyes of his
grown grandson, Ndaba Mendela. Through his own voice, you
will hear the love and affection through his truth about a
man he grew to admire greatly.
It is the first story ever told about him firsthand through
his grandchild.
He met his grandfather
for the first time at age 7, while Mandela was serving time
in prison. It was near the end of his life and to him the
old man was a stranger. He knew of him through his works and
his stories, his interactions with others, but had not been
face to face with him until this day.
Mandela's wife
had been imprisoned, tortured, his sons he had not seen in
years, and his grandchildren he had never met until this day.
That
day, while grown-ups talked, Ndaba watched a movie, "The
Neverending Story" with his cousins. What he remembers
now is summed up in the watching of that movie, which he says
embodies the very story of his grandfather and others like
him, such as Martin Luther King, Ghandi, and Jim Crow.
Arrested
in 1962 for inciting a violent protest and leaving the country
without a passport, an alleged part of a treasonous government
overthrow, he was sentenced to life in prison.
Although
Mandela was released 1990 when the ANC became legal again,
he had missed entire generations of life changes and technological
advances. Twenty-seven years of opportunities had been taken
away and his resolve was still as strong upon his release.
It was a great moment for 100's of 1000's of people who were
elated to see him.
The apartheid
was still ongoing upon his release and Mandela's philosophy
was to keep charging ahead even if you cannot see an end,
even to die for it.
His fight never
ended. It is still a fight that he was prepared to give everything
for, including his life, so that change would come. He did
not care that he would not see that change, only that he kept
up the fight to help others to see it. That was enough.
Later he became
President of South Africa and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Today,
there stands a statue of Nelson Mendela, arms raised.
Up until his unexpected
death in 2013, he still saw hope.
He is the truest
test of a man's faith, courage, and hope. He not only lived
for change, but he died for it.
Going Up The Mountain
is a chronicle of Mandela's works, yes, but also a lesson
in living in peace and harmony with the world. It is a lesson
in forgiveness. It is the retelling of the teachings of one
of the greatest men who ever lived.
Great
life, great story, great book. It is a must read!
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