Mandela and the General

Mandela and the General is a graphic novel about an intense time in South African as the country shifted ideologies and how the end of apartheid began.

It was a terrifying time in the country for both blacks and whites. There were violent extremist groups on both sides that were willing to kill and die for their ideals, with many others in the middle who just wanted the fighting to stop.

This book, while short, shows the emotional turmoil that the leaders of both parties went through and how their willingness to listen to each other led to a massive change in politics, ideologies, and everyday life for many people.

Mandela and the General were intelligent and learned men who could have easily fallen into emotional decisions and claimed that because they were “right,” they were correct in using violence. However, both men also saw that doing so would only lead to “peace in the graveyard.”

This is a fantastic read for not only children, but for adults as well. It gives a quick synopsis of the end of apartheid politically, but also shows the emotional upheaval that both parties, and both leaders, went through.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

I've read a sizable amount on South Africa, the horrid apartheid system and its eventual end, but never have I heard of General Constand Viljoen before this graphic novel. Carlin does excellent work telling the fascinatingly true story of the former military commander, his change of heart during an enormous time of transition, and his contributions to keeping peace as a new South Africa was born.

This was an interesting take on the battle that took place for the heart of South Africa. The story follows General Constand Viljoen and his conflicts as the leader of the white nationalist militias that have been bound as one upon Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Mandela is gaining followers rapidly, causing fear to rise among white nationalists. Together, Mandela and the General form an alliance aimed toward achieving peace through nonviolent negotiations.

I enjoyed the illustrations, they were beautiful. I wasn’t expecting to be shown this story from the point of view of history’s villain. Through the eyes of his privilege, I could see how some of his decisions could make sense to him. It was an uncommon take that I’ve been seeing a few other novels move toward, as well. Overall, an interesting read.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy that people have been using graphic novels to tell history since a lot of these stories lend themselves well to the idea of action, adventure, and heroic people. This one was really well done about a difficult topic, the election of Mandela. I would suggest this to someone who has no idea about the history of the ANC, apartheid, or Mandela, but if you are interested you should definitely delve deeper into the story.

I enjoyed the minimalist style and colorations that were used for this book. With such an important story, using this simple style helps keep the attention on the story rather than the design of the art.

“We must strive to find a political solution that reconciled White fears with black aspirations.”

I’ve found I really enjoy history told in graphic novel form. It’s informative while not being bogged down in superfluous detail and it makes history more engaging. I feel using this form of media would greatly help teaching children and teens and wish we could see more of it being used this way.

I read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, earlier this year and Mandela and the General is a great supplemental piece for it. This takes place after Mandela was released from prison when General Constand Viljoen led white nationalist against the new changes coming about due to the end of apartheid. Eventually the two meet and have discussions which lead to the first all South African elections being held peacefully.

Author John Carlin has the unique insight into this struggle between Mandela and Viljoen. He’s stationed in South Africa as an foreign news correspondent and meets both of the men. From this and countless other interviews he’s able to create this narrative while using illustrations to further help describe the events.

There were some really cool renderings in (what looked like) watercolor that portrayed the shadow of something as something else. I liked the symbolism it gave and felt it added to the story.

After reading his autobiography and this graphic novel, I have to add Mandela as one of the people in history I’d want to meet. His story is truly amazing and he selflessly accomplished and helped progress so much in South Africa. It’s truly seeing awing and inspirational.

An interesting biographical graphic novel about Mandela. Great art and color work. We'll definitely get this for our library.

I LOVE that writers are using graphic novel format to share important stories from history. John Carlin's thoughtfully distills the complicated history of South African Apartheid by focusing on the relationship of two seemingly opposed leaders.
Oriel Malet's artwork is beautiful and fits perfectly with Carlin's words.
I appreciated the extra features throughout the book - asterisks that explained vocabulary and historical points that non-South African readers may not know, the visual timeline of events, and a couple of excerpts from newspaper articles. They add to the context and understanding.
I look forward to having a copy of this book in my classroom library!

Thank you, NetGalley and Plough Publishing for making it possible for teachers like me to preview great works before bringing them to our students.

An informative and simply yet beautifully illustrated graphic novel about something I didn't know much about. While I obviously knew who Mandela was, I had never heard of General Constand Viljoen. The book wasn't judgmental about either person and conveyed an important message about two sides coming together. Definitely aimed more towards people like myself who don't know this history. I can see this doing well in a school library for kids.

My personal knowledge of Nelson Mandela is fairly limited. I equate him as being South Africa’s Martin Luther King, Jr, here in my country. Mandela and the General by journalist John Carlin with artist Oriol Malet brings to life this man, showing his passion and determination to bring a peaceful transition to the country even if that means to dance with the devil. What an enlightening graphic novel this is. Not only do we see Mandela’s pursue of peace but also General Constand Viljoen’s goals, someone I see as the villain in apartheid history. It is a thinking book for middle schoolers and up. Think of the symbolism and ethical decision discussions that could take place; this is just a start of the conversations this book could lead too.

The book is engaging, and inspirational. The art work is edgy which keeps the reader’s attention so that the information can be thoughtfully absorbed. It definitely brings history alive.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There so many books about Nelson Mandela, as this is the 100th anniversary of his birth, and for those of us that lived during the time that he was released, and then moved on to become president, we may not know all the things that happened, as this is such recent history.

And, as an American, I was even further removed from all the nuances of what happened.

This book follows how, once Nelson was released, the retired general, Constand Viljoen, former chief of apartheid South Africa’s military, came between Nelson and the white nationals who did not want to give of white rule. He was really wanted to be left out, but realized, once he was asked, that he had to stop what could have been a blood bath.

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<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-581" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Screen-Shot-2018-06-10-at-9.14.52-PM.png" alt="" />

Amazing story. Well written.

#MandelaAndTheGeneral #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Mandela and the General is great introduction to learning about the end of apartheid. John Carlin does an excellent job of telling the story and explaining the history throughout the book. I think graphic novels like this are a great way to explain history and to get people interested in history. It definitely made me want to learn more about South African apartheid and Mandela.

This is an excellent story about how Mandela brokered peace with the Afrikaner minority by encourging them to participate in the democratic elections instead of resorting to war. Mandela did this through diplomacy and negotiating with General Constand Viljoen, former chief of apartheid South Africa's military and the leader of South Africa's white nationalists.

If Mandela had not had the wisdom and foresight to do this, South Africa would have descended in to a bloodbath. Leaders like Nelson Mandela are incredibly scarce. Our world would be a different place if our leaders embraced the kind of leadership he practiced but it is easier said than done.

Credit must also be given to General Constand Viljoen because if he had chosen violence then Mandela could not have brokered peace. The General had the wisdom to see the truth.

This is a great story. I wasnt aware about this. I knew about the truth commissions but I didnt really know how South Africa managed to transition from apartheid to democracy. This is a really good graphic novel, although I think the artwork is a bit too dark for my liking. Having said this overall it is still an excellent story.

Copy recived vua Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I knew who Nelson Mandela was. I was alive during the time these events happened. I had no idea all this was going on. The fact that the peaceful change of government that Mandela accomplished was almost thwarted by an armed "white power" movement was new to me. I had never heard of this General Viljoen. But I am glad now that I do. Reading this book gives me some hope for the future. If a country as divided and fractured as South Africa could come together; if a man who started out hating Mandela and thinking he should get the death penalty came to admire and like him; if that is possible, maybe there is some hope for our future as well. Gripping narrative and interesting artwork. I'd say give this book a read.

That was really good. I liked it a lot. Allways amazing to see different sides of the stories. Learning that was really good. I liked the artstyle too.

Three points I liked about Mandela and the General...

a great showing of how a graphic novel can be complex and timely, addressing world issues through images and text...

polished and poignant illustrations that drive the reader onward, seeking what is to be revealed on the next page....

a professional product I would gladly share with a seasoned or fresh graphic novel reader. This is a powerful story worth sharing.

I think this may be the first graphic novel I have read. I was impressed by the impact of combined text and illustrations.

This book gives readers a sense of the tension South Africans were experiencing in the mid-1990s. Mandela had been released from prison in 1990 and the first post-apartheid elections were set to take place in 1994. The whites feared reprisal and made ready a militia. A retired general from the South African military, Constand Viljoen, was asked to lead them.

As the book vividly portrays, it looked like violence would ensue. Mandela proposed meeting secretly with Viljoen. How those two would interact would set the stage for the future of South Africa.

I recommend this book to readers as a good way to get insights into the time of transition for South Africa. The text gives the flavor of the feelings of those involved. The illustrations are great, adding an impact one could not experience with text alone. This was a deadly time and some of the illustrations portray murderous scenes. A timeline has been included at the end of the book as well as a short historical vignettes of Mandela, Viljoen and their interaction.

I received a complimentary digital ARC from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

An excellent told story about Mandela and one of the comrades that he kept. I would highly recommend this for a social studies class.

There are so many books about Mandela's life and legacy, but I think this one it's the first I see that could be easily read by children and younger audiences as well as adults.
The colour pallet of the illustrations really help bringing the sense of tension to the story, the words were carefully chosen to give the impact needed.
I'd recommend this one to people who is starting to read history, so not to overwhelm with all the other gory details of what happened in South Africa.
Thank you Netgally to sending the book my way in an exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Plough Publishing for forwarding me the unpublished copy of Mandela and the General for review. The book goes in publication on Nov 5th.

This being my second nonfiction graphic novel, I certainly liked this more than my first one on Andy Warhol. The art work is really good and the text is not too "loud" as some graphic novels have. The author manages to capture the essence of relation between Nelson Mandela and General Constand Viljoen. It was through the mutual respect of both the men that they were able to avoid a massive bloodshed between blacks and south African whites. Although, the books does not go into details, a reader can get a good idea of the political situation at that time.

It is a quick read and will make a good gift for young adults or anyone who likes reading nonfiction graphic novels.

Review posted to Goodreads on 10/7/18 (link below)

I really enjoyed this little graphic novel! It reminded me of the type of book you would read in school - it's a comic so IT'S FUN, KIDS and it's a TRUE STORY, it's HISTORY! The kids are LEARNING!

Mandela and the General is exactly what it sounds like - a story about Nelson Mandela and General Constand Viljoen, the former chief of apartheid South Africa’s military. The story begins when Mandela is released from prison in 1990, after 27 years as a political prisoner, and spans the first few years after his release, when Mandela led the campaign to negotiate an end Apartheid and eventually became South Africa's first democratically elected leader, and a black leader at that.

This graphic novel highlights the violence that accompanied Mandela's campaign, and the human dignity of both Mandela and Viljoen, who is not depicted as a villain (which might have made a better story), but as a man who loved his country just as much as Mandela, even though his political ideology was vastly different.

The narrator of the story is John Carlin himself, a journalist who sits down with both men and interviews them. This book didn't have to have this format; it might have been easier to shape the narrative around Mandela and Viljoen themselves rather than a third party, but it really added another dimension to the story, which sets this graphic novel apart.

It seemed to me that this book was intended for a younger audience, but I would recommend it to anyone who would like an introduction to Nelson Mandela, or generally, readers who enjoy both history and graphic novels.

Release date November 5, 2018. Available for pre-order now.

ARC provided by Plough Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

A worthwhile read that blends beautiful watercolor art with the story of finding peace amid a bloody conflict. I really enjoyed it.

Nelson Mandela was a man who inspired millions throughout the end of the 20th century. Even after his death in 2013, Nelson Mandela remains one of the most prominent figures of civil rights alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. However, outside of South Africa and the rest of Africa, not much is known about the anti-apartheid movement such as the formation of the African National Congress, or the ANC, and The National Party.

"Mandela and the General" is a recount of the events that led to democracy in South Africa with the 1994 Election of Nelson Mandela as the country's First President. John Carlin, the author, is the journalist who interviewed both Nelson Mandela and Retired General Constand Viljoen for accuracy of both sides of the events that occurred up until 1999. Events from Nelson Mandela's sentence and eventual release from prison, to General Viljoen's retirement from the military and his eventual involvement with South African politics, and to the assassinations and the street riots are included in this retelling of events. Mandela and General Viljoen were men who became leaders and acted like leaders for the better of all who resided in their country. Both men knew they would have to convince their supporters to do the same thing. Everything you'd expect from a divided country attempting democracy would be going through to get to their first election is recounted by both Mandela and the General, and told to John Carlin.

"Mandela and the General" provides an impressive view into the internal struggles of a country from the points-of-view of two men at opposite ends of the political parties. Readers who are interested in learning more about Nelson Mandela and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, as well as other civil rights leaders, should read this book. Readers who have read historical graphic novels such as the "March" trilogy and "Safe Area Gorazde" will appreciate the artistic depictions and illustrations of the events, done by Oriol Malet, as recalled by those who were there, including John Carlin. This book is a must read for readers of both history and graphic novels.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

How will Mandela stop apartheid in his country? General Constand Vilojen is asked to come out of retirement by the white nationalists In the Afrikaner Resistance Movement. They want him to lead them back in getting the country by force. However Viljoen is seeing Africa covered in blood. He decides to meet Mandela in secret to discuss matters. Will Mandela be successful with General Constand Vilojen?

As a graphic novel, it is excellent portraying Africa and Mandela’s statesmanship. This graphic novel is a concise account of historical events. It is tense yet inspirational telling of this story. It captures the moment of time so
I saw the events differently yet the same. The struggle for democracy was indeed difficult.

A powerful story of political discussions and negotiations during the last years of apartheid. The General is portrayed as a flawed, relatable person who gradually changes some of his destructive beliefs. Artwork suits the characters and situation well and is pleasing. I found the book both educational and well written.

A graphic comic about the beginning of the new democratic South Africa

The chronical comic was from 1989 (the last days of Apartheid South Africa) to 1995 (newly democratic South Africa).

Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years of political imprisonment in 1990. He was very worried about the potential civil war between the Whites and the Blacks. He met with the retired General Constance Viljoen, who was once the most powerful man in the South African Defence Force.

Mandela asked Viljoen how they could prevent the war. Viljoen started the new political party to oppose Mandela’s party to become the new government during the 1994 general election.

The whole nation watched with fear as Mandela and Viljoen continued the series of their meetings to impose peace in the post-Apartheid South Africa.

I may have the “fresh memory” in our last days in South Africa and thank the authors for refreshing my memory of what really happened there.

Caesar XIII

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

Graphic novels are a wonderful way to tell history. Not only does the reader get the subtle nuances of the written word, but they also get a graphic representation. This book does both very well. It is engaging without being over-cramped with facts. Beautifully inked. Definite recommend.

'Mandela and the General' by John Carlin with art by Oriol Malet is a graphic novel about Mandela's fight for a peaceful government transition.

When Mandela was released from prison, it was in to a very chaotic country. There were outbreaks of violence and deaths. It could have spiraled in to and open war with who knows how many casualties. Mandela found the one man in the opposition he could talk to and scheduled a series of secret meetings. That man was the white supremacist General Viljoen.

This was a pretty fascinating story. I had heard glimpses of it, but enjoyed reading this account of it. The art is pretty great too, especially when it goes in to full page drawings with the country of South Africa as a character's shadow.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Plough Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I loved the illustrations in this. I do wish the first half of the book had spent a little more time on Mandela, but I understand that for the impact of the story to be so great, the reader needed to get as into the General's head as possible. A good, succinct insight into a part of post=apartheid South Africa. An informative read.

Excellent book for graphic novel format. A riveting read which tells a story that needed to be told.