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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation Paperback - 2009

by John Carlin

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Carlin pens this thrilling, inspiring account of one of the greatest charm offensives in history--Nelson Mandela's decade-long campaign to unite his country, beginning in his jail cell and ending with a rugby tournament.

Summary

Beginning in a jail cell and ending in a rugby tournament- the true story of how the most inspiring charm offensive in history brought South Africa together

After being released from prison and winning South Africa's first free election, Nelson Mandela presided over a country still deeply divided by fifty years of apartheid. His plan was ambitious if not far-fetched: use the national rugby team, the Springboks-long an embodiment of white-supremacist rule-to embody and engage a new South Africa as they prepared to host the 1995 World Cup. The string of wins that followed not only defied the odds, but capped Mandela's miraculous effort to bring South Africans together again in a hard-won, enduring bond.

Reader reviews for Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

From the publisher

Read the book that inspired the Academy Award and Golden Globe winning 2009 film INVICTUS featuring Morgan Freeman and Matt Daymon, directed by Clint Eastwood.

Beginning in a jail cell and ending in a rugby tournament- the true story of how the most inspiring charm offensive in history brought South Africa together. After being released from prison and winning South Africa's first free election, Nelson Mandela presided over a country still deeply divided by fifty years of apartheid. His plan was ambitious if not far-fetched: use the national rugby team, the Springboks-long an embodiment of white-supremacist rule-to embody and engage a new South Africa as they prepared to host the 1995 World Cup. The string of wins that followed not only defied the odds, but capped Mandela's miraculous effort to bring South Africans together again in a hard-won, enduring bond.

Details

  • Title Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
  • Author John Carlin
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 2009-07-28
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143115724 / 0143115723
  • Weight 0.59 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.46 x 5.34 x 0.75 in (21.49 x 13.56 x 1.91 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1990's
    • Cultural Region: Southern Africa
  • Category History - General History
  • Dewey Decimal Code 968.065

Media reviews

" This wonderful book describes Mandela's methodical, improbable and brilliant campaign to reconcile resentful blacks and fearful whites around a sporting event, a game of rugby."
-The New York Times Book Review

" If you have any doubts about the political genius of Nelson Mandela, read John Carlin's engrossing book . . . [A] feel-good slice of history."
-USA Today

Citations

  • New York Times Book Review, 08/23/2009, Page 20

About the author

John Carlin is senior international writer for El Pas, the world'sleading Spanish language newspaper, and was previously the U.S.bureau chief for The Independent on Sunday. His writing has appeared inThe New York Times, The New Republic, Wired, Spin, and Conde NastTraveler.

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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by John Carlin

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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by John Carlin

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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by Carlin, John

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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by Carlin, John

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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by Carlin, John

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143115724 / 0143115723
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Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy : Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by Carlin, John

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143115724 / 0143115723
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation
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Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

by Carlin, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
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Used
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Reprint
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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143115724 / 0143115723
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Random House Books for Young Readers, 2009-07-28. Reprint. paperback. Used: Good. 5.46x0.78x8.38. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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