Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book

by Nelson Mandela Foundation

Overview

Nelson Mandela's story is told in 8 illustrated chapters in a graphic novel that has been released around the world - this gives an image to each poignant moment in his life and is suitable for the whole family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483512174
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	10/25/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	204
Sales rank:	903,092
File size:	35 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Norton’s previous collaboration with The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, won the NAACP Award in 2003. Nelson Mandela, who will be ninety-one on July 18, 2009, lives in Johannesburg.

Editorial Reviews

Like most graphic novels produced with educational intent, the art takes a far second to the didactic text in this graphic biography of the South African icon. It’s tough to criticize a book created to contribute to the ongoing canonization of the still-living Mandela. The intent is clear from the lack of individual creator credits, since who actually wrote these words and drew these pictures isn’t important to the Mandela Foundation; what matters is that this is an authorized, approved biography created in a format to attract the attention of younger people, those who might not have been alive during the decade when “Free Nelson Mandela” was a politically important chant. The likenesses are adequate in standard poses, but wildly varying when the artists are called upon to deviate from reference, with faces appearing deformed. Much of the art consists of boring talking heads. Mandela was born in 1918, and the book will be released on his 91st birthday. That’s an achievement to be congratulated, but this dull history comic should be far down the gift list. (July)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 5 Up–While the story of Nelson Mandela’s youth and rise to prominence is compelling and worthy of note, this graphic novel fails to take advantage of the comic-book medium. The dialogue is tedious and uninteresting. The computer-enhanced artwork is lacking in technical merit, often relying on manipulated photos, and the representations of Mandela and other notable figures are uneven. The book follows Mandela’s life from his birth in a small village to his early political years in Johannesburg, and then on to his imprisonment and eventual release. This makes for a long and at times confusing narrative. An index is included, as well as a foreword by Mandela himself, but the book would also benefit from a glossary, time line, and other edifying materials.–Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

School Library Journal

"Inspirational, informative and filled with meaningful lessons on how to live in a complex world, Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book is as much for adults as it is for children. It should be required reading for any student of modern history or passionate believer in civil rights and the resilience of the human spirit."

NPR

"Inspirational, informative and filled with meaningful lessons on how to live in a complex world, Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book is as much for adults as it is for children. It should be required reading for any student of modern history or passionate believer in civil rights and the resilience of the human spirit."

Books We Like (NPR) - Laurel Maury