Mandela: His Essential Life chronicles the life and legacy of one of the twentieth century's
most influential and admired statesmen. Charting his development from remote rural roots to
city lawyer freedom fighter and then political leader Peter Hain takes an in-depth look at
Mandela's rise through the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) and subsequent 27 years
imprisonment on Robben Island as increasingly vocal protests against the injustices of
Apartheid brought his struggle against overwhelming prejudice and oppression to the eyes of the
world. This book encompasses Mandela's inauguration as South Africa's first democratically
elected president his retirement campaigns for human rights a solution to AIDS and poverty.
It goes on to chronicle his later years and death. Throughout the humanity and compassion of
this extraordinary world leader shine through. The author concludes with a critical analysis of
his and the ANC's achievements its leadership's subsequent slide into corruption and whether
under new direction South Africa can reclaim the values and legacy of Mandela and the 'rainbow
nation' he created and led to such global acclaim.
