-
The mix of John Carlin’s historically vivid writing with Oriol Malet’s beautiful art highlights the immediate relevancy of this story. In our politically polarized time, it’s important to remember the struggles that are necessary to ensure democracy, the many costs of conflict, and the importance of trying to understand each other.
Entertainment Weekly
-
Carlin and Malet’s portraits reveal the depth of Mandela’s remarkable statesmanship, and show that if every war has two sides, so too does every peace.
Publishers Weekly
-
Carlin draws on his personal trove of interviews and reportage to highlight a pivotal moment of world-affecting history. … Catalan artist Malet's visuals capture Carlin's intense narrative in shades of gold, blue, red, and black, mixing photographic details with looser images and breaking panel borders to underscore immediacy.
Booklist
-
At the core of this book is the notion that reason and empathy are the foundations of progress and peace.
Vita Ayala, The Wilds and Livewire
-
John Carlin elegantly crafts a powerful, balanced narrative well served by the evocative imagery and sequential talents of Oriol Malet. Mandela and the General is an important read for all who seek peace.
Andrew Aydin, co-author of March trilogy
-
Excellent … a well-told, perceptive view of both sides in the conflict. … Mandela and the General is an inspirational account of historical events, including Viljoen’s break with his own colleagues in pursuit of the greater good.
Foreword Reviews
-
How Mandela talked the general away from race war toward peaceful collaboration makes a fascinating parable with relevance to today’s polarized politics. This outstanding case study in the power of empathy to defuse conflict is drawn in realistic narrow-line black and white with bright colored accents.
Library Journal, Starred Review
-
A riveting read. Carlin “gets” Mandela. He captures powerfully Mandela's political astuteness and vast generosity. Masterful storytelling!
Morgan Freeman
-
A concise graphic narrative of secret negotiations that helped keep the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa from becoming even more of a bloodbath.… A fascinating story with a tight focus.
Kirkus Reviews
-
Carlin simply and powerfully reminds us how close South Africa came to a bloodbath and how Mandela’s personal effort, persuasion, strategy, and clarity of purpose averted the ultimate tragedy. History is not made by men or women on pedestals, but those who will bend and seek solutions.
Tony Marx, President, New York Public Library
-
Mandela and the General suspensefully reveals how Mandela’s spirit of reconciliation prevailed over fear and violence in post-apartheid South Africa…. It’s a timely reminder of the value of human empathy as a tool in political confrontation.
Jon Lee Anderson, author of Che, staff writer at the New Yorker
-
A wonderful, accessible distillation of the genius of Mandela. In an increasingly divided political landscape, should be required reading for people of all ages everywhere.
Matt Damon
-
Incredibly engaging and well worth your time. The art by Oriol Malet has so much energy and beauty that it drew me in immediately.
Jamal Igle, Molly Danger and Black
-
A must-read in our current era of cultural conflict, Mandela and the General reminds us of what can be achieved when we view each other as human.
Kwanza Osajyefo, author of Black
