Winnie & Nelson - Portrait of a Marriage

''Gripping and profoundly moving'' DAMON GALGUT ''Deft and operatic'' OBSERVER A TIMES BEST BIOGRAPHY OF 2023 From one of South Africa''s foremost nonfiction writers, a deeply researched, shattering new account of Nelson Mandela''s relationship with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Drawing on never-before-seen material, Steinberg reveals the fractures and stubborn bonds at the heart of a volatile and groundbreaking union, a very modern political marriage that played out on the world stage. One of the most celebrated political leaders of the twentieth century, Nelson Mandela has been written about by many biographers and historians. But in one crucial area, his life remains largely untold: his marriage to Winnie. During his years in prison, Nelson grew ever more in love with an idealised version of his wife, courting her in his letters as if they were young lovers frozen in time. But Winnie, every bit his political equal, found herself increasingly estranged from her jailed husband '' s politics. Behind his back, she was trying to orchestrate an armed seizure of power, a path he feared would lead to an endless civil war. Jonny Steinberg tells the tale of this unique marriage - its longings, its obsessions, its deceits - turning the course of South African history into a page-turning political biography. Winnie & Nelson is a modern epic in which trauma doesn''t just affect the couple at its centre, but an entire nation. It is also a Shakespearean drama in which bonds of love and commitment mingle with timeless questions of revolution, such as whether to seek retribution or a negotiated peace. Told with power and tender emotional insight, Steinberg reveals how far these forever entwined leaders would go for one another, and also, where they drew the line. For in the end both knew theirs was not simply a marriage, but a contest to decide how apartheid should be fought. ...

About the author

Jonny Steinberg

Product details

• Authors: Jonny Steinberg
• Publisher: William Collins
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 11.04.2024
• EAN: 9780008353810
• ISBN: 978-0-00-835381-0
• Dimensions: 129 mm x 198 mm x 40 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political, Biography: historical, political & military, Human Rights, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights, 20th Century, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / African, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civil Rights, HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa, 21st Century, 21st century history: from c 2000 -, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Republic of South Africa, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Social discrimination & inequality, African History, Civil rights & citizenship, Human rights, civil rights, Biography: historical, political and military, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Discrimination, South Africa: places of interest, Social discrimination and social justice