Product Description

This fascinating biography looks at the life of Nelson Mandela, placing his
awe-inspiring accomplishments in historical context for a new generation
to admire. On a February day in 1994, Mandela visited Robben Island,
a desolate rock where he had been held during his twenty-seven years as
a prisoner. Days later, he triumphed in an election that rescued South
Africa from the climate of oppression that had held sway for so long. By
New York Times executive editor, Bill Keller, this inspiring biography looks
at the events that led Mandela from his tribal homeland to the center of the
struggle for racial equality in South Africa. From early acts of protest to
the leadership of an apartheid-free nation, this is an honest portrayal of a
modern political and social icon.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1251586 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-01
• Released on: 2008-01-15
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up—Keller draws on his years of experience as the Johannesburg bureau chief for the New York Times in this compact profile of South Africa's leading political figure. Beginning with the 1994 visit of Mandela and his surviving fellow former prisoners to Robben Island, he looks back to the history of white colonization and the National Party's introduction of formal apartheid in the mid-20th century. The treatment of Mandela's rise from a student headed for a career in tribal government to leader and revolutionary in the antiapartheid resistance movement, then political prisoner and eventual president of his country, is absorbing and fair-minded. Keller doesn't gloss over the less-savory aspects of Mandela's character ("He sometimes misled his allies and manipulated his followers. He was willing to let innocent people die in the cause of liberation"), but paints a portrait of a man of courage and leadership who, when faced with difficult choices, did whatever was necessary to achieve his goal. The period spent in prison ("Robben Island University") is covered briefly, and the author's compelling first-person account of postapartheid unrest emphasizes the messy reality of the major social upheavals that make up history. Articles from the Times and other sources provide historical viewpoints on apartheid and Mandela's story. Well-chosen black-and-white and full-color photographs enhance the text. A good first purchase for biography and current-events collections.—Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM
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Review
"[M]ore than the usual biography...authoritative account...stirring black and white photos...excellent back matter..." Booklist 11/1/2007 (Booklist, ALA )

"Keller's personal experience ...with Mandela imbues his often graceful prose with immediacy and offers insight." Publishers Weekly 12/24/07 (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author
Bill Keller was the chief of the New York Times bureau in Johannesburg, South Africa, from April 1992 until May 1995. Before that, he had been a Times correspondent in Moscow, Russia, winning a Pulitzer Prize in March 1989 for his coverage of the Soviet Union. In July 2003, he became the executive editor of the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
TREE SHAKER is a very informative and colorful book written by Bill Keller, the Executive Editor of The New York Times. The entire book is written like one long article, broken up by chapters and festive with many colorful pictures.

It tells the story of Nelson Mandela's life -- from childhood to becoming the first black South African president -- and his impact on South Africa and the world.

This book was very informative; somewhat like a history textbook but with many colorful pictures and interesting story and dialogues in between the factual parts.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about the life of a man who impacted the world with his brilliance and determination for black equality among a white supremacist country.

Reviewed by: Steph