Invictus
Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
Published on 1. August 2012
288 pages
978-1-84887-440-4 (ISBN)
Description
This uplifting true story is now a major film, starring Oscar nominees Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, directed by Clint Eastwood.
Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2008
As the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup dawned, and the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks, more was at stake than a sporting trophy. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa.
Invictus tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and tells of how - just occasionally - something as simple as a game can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences.
Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2008
As the day of the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup dawned, and the Springboks faced New Zealand's all-conquering All Blacks, more was at stake than a sporting trophy. When Nelson Mandela appeared wearing a Springboks jersey and led the all-white Afrikaner-dominated team in singing South Africa's new national anthem, he conquered the hearts of white South Africa.
Invictus tells the extraordinary human story of how that moment became possible. It shows how a sport, once the preserve of South Africa's Afrikaans-speaking minority, came to unify the new rainbow nation, and tells of how - just occasionally - something as simple as a game can help people to rise above themselves and see beyond their differences.
Reviews / Votes
Wonderful... Don't wait for the movie. * New York Times * A triumphant conversion... A portrait of South Africa's answer to George Washington... [It] works because Carlin got so close to Mandela and the people Mandela seduced. -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times * Revelatory... A tight, gripping and powerful book that shines a light on a moment of hope, not just for one nation but the whole world. * Daily Express * A fascinating story... Thirteen years on, it is possible to look back with emotion at a moment which suggested that everything was possible. -- Justin Cartwright * Sunday Telegraph *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
File size
2,64 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-84887-440-4 (9781848874404)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
01/2010
Atlantic Books
€31.13
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
John Carlin grew up in Argentina and in the UK and spent 1989-95 in South Africa as the Independent's correspondent there. He has also lived in Nicaragua, Mexico and Washington, writing for The Times, the Observer, the Sunday Times, the New York Times, among other papers, and working for the BBC. He now lives in Barcelona, where he writes for El Pais.
Content
- Intro
- Author biography
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Contents
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAPTER I: BREAKFAST IN HOUGHTON
- CHAPTER II: THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE
- CHAPTER III: SEPARATE AMENITIES
- CHAPTER IV: BAGGING THE CROC
- CHAPTER V: DIFFERENT PLANETS
- CHAPTER VI: AYATOLLAH MANDELA
- CHAPTER VII: THE TIGER KING
- CHAPTER VIII: THE MASK
- CHAPTER IX: THE BITTER-ENDERS
- CHAPTER X: ROMANCING THE GENERAL
- CHAPTER XI: "ADDRESS THEIR HEARTS"
- CHAPTER XII: THE CAPTAIN AND THE PRESIDENT
- CHAPTER XIII: SPRINGBOK SERENADE
- CHAPTER XIV: SILVERMINE
- CHAPTER XV: DOUBTING THOMASES
- CHAPTER XVI: THE NUMBER SIX JERSEY
- CHAPTER XVII: "NELSON! NELSON!"
- CHAPTER XVIII: BLOOD IN THE THROAT
- CHAPTER XIX: LOVE THINE ENEMY
- EPILOGUE
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- A NOTE ON SOURCES
- INDEX
