Mandela and the General

by John Carlin, Oriol Malet (Artist)

In this thrilling graphic novel, Nelson Mandela’s fight against racism is about to spiral into an all-out race war. Unless he can win over his archenemy, the white supremacist General Viljoen, the democratic struggle for equality and justice in South Africa will end in “the peace of graveyards.”

“Intense.”-- Booklist
“A riveting read.”-- Morgan Freeman
“Fascinating.”-- Library Journal, starred review

As the first post-apartheid elections approach in 1994, with South African blacks poised to take power, the nation’s whites fear reprisal. White nationalist militias claiming 50,000 well-armed former soldiers stand ready to fight to the death to defend their cause. They need someone who can lead and unite them. That man is General Constand Viljoen, former chief of apartheid South Africa’s military.

Mandela knows that he can’t avert a bloodbath on his own. He will have to count on his archenemy. Throughout those historic months, the two men meet in secret. Can they trust each other? Can they keep their followers and radical fringe elements from acts of violence? The mettle of these two men will determine the future of a nation.

The drama of this contest and the history that pivoted on it comes vividly to life in visual form. Veteran British journalist John Carlin teams up with Catalan artist Oriol Malet to create a historically and artistically rich graphic novel with obvious relevance to today’s polarized politics.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, History, Africa, Comics, Politics, South Africa

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm far from a graphic novel affeciando, but saw this one and the history within intrigued. To my surprise, I loved it. A story told without scads of miscellaneous filler, we get a direct, pointed look at the release of Mandela and the crisis that it propelled. It is told mostly from the POV of General Valjean, who was chosen by the white Afrikaans, to prevent Mandela from coming into power. To use any means necessary , including violence, to keep the blacks in their place. When Mandela asks the General to meet with him, he is so impressed with his manner, his honesty and his lack of hatred to those who had imprisoned him, that his viewpoint changes.

Newspaper articles, fine drawings, all capture both the danger and the hopefullness of this time, the time before apartheid ended.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelson Mandela’s meeting with retired general Constand Viljoen (former chief of apartheid South Africa’s military) prevented a tidal wave of bloodshed from engulfing the country. The fact that Mandela could see that he had to reach out to a former enemy to prevent the country from plunging into civil war is a testament to his trying to reconcile even the most egregious of crimes even as the birth of a new country was dawning. Excellent GN with powerful art - highly recommended.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Carlin was a newspaper correspondent in South Africa at the time apartheid was ending. Most of the book is told from the point of view of the general heading up the white nationalist party of South Africa. I wish the book had given more back story about why Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years and what his life was like on the island he was held at. But instead we get the general's backstory during this period. It's kind of like getting the perspective of history from David Duke for the first half of the book. The second half is all about what was happening in South Africa as apartheid was ending and how mandela was able to avoid an open race war. It's pretty amazing actually. Our politicians in America could use a few lessons.

The art is not very good, in some cases hindering the story. Carlin sometimes tries to use the art to tell aspects of the story. Those scenes don't work at all because the art wasn't detailed enough for me to tell what was going on.

Received a review copy from Plough Publishing House and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 did, 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.

The images above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I finished the book, I was going to give it four stars, mostly because every appearance of Mandela in the story is electrifying. But as I reflected, I realized that this is just another one of those books or movies where white creators use a white guy as the point of view for an African story. And in this case, the white guy is a racist who we're supposed to be happy did not resort to violence to carry out his white supremacist agenda in the 1990s thanks to the charisma of Mandela. Instead he spent the next twenty years trying to use politics to found a segregated white homeland in the middle of South Africa.

I mean, I read this article from 2014 and most of my feel-good buzz from this book dissipated:
https://mg.co.za/article/2014-04-24-l...

The book is well done, but the more I think about it, the more misguided it seems.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An almost unbelievable historical event that I was unaware of : a newly unimprisoned Nelson Mandela conceiving of the idea to meet secretly with the general of the ultra-right rural whites ready to arm themselves to "take back their country" and successfully getting him on board for a democratic future with black people in power. But it happened, and you can learn all the details in this excellent graphic novel which has fantastic art that blends realism and symbolism in a controlled color palette.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.




Amazing story. Well written.

#MandelaAndTheGeneral #NetGalley

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

[Elfo-oscuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta muy bien reflejado como dialogaron De klerk y Mandela para que no hubiera guerra en Sudafrica pero se me hace muy escaso, es muy visual pero falta mucha informacion que si quieren hacer en 100 pags con 4 lineas por pagina pues esta claro que no se puede. Tampoco informa del presente del pais, algo que agradeceria

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating graphic novel about the escalating violence and racial tension in South Africa following Mandela’s release and the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to his presidency.

[Cudeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mientras ayer buscaba comics africanos, y tras encontrar Diez mil elefantes (mi anterior lectura), en Amazon me apareció esta novela gráfica que no pude por menos que adquirir también. Y ha resultado una gran compra, me ha parecido una lectura muy interesante, de una parte de la historia que aunque hay salido en prensa y televisión, se han hecho películas, pero sigue siendo una gran desconocida al menos para mí.

Esta novela gráfica narra desde el punto de vista del general Constand Viljoen ese tiempo tenso y convulso que supuso la liberación y posterior ascenso al gobierno de Nelson Mandela. Un punto de vista afrikaner, del que ve peligrar su forma de vida, sus creencias y educación, pero también con el conocimiento de causa de lo que implica un enfrentamiento armado. Y que supo ver en Madiba el deseo real de llegar a un entendimiento, de cerrar una brecha que parecía insalvable, y de alcanzar la paz para todos en Sudáfrica.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson Mandela was truly an amazing person. This look at the end of apartheid was educational for me. I don't know as much about South African history as I should.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Telling one story within Mandela's remarkable life, this is a beautifully illustrated book. It would be a quick read but you can't help but spend time with the graphics. It also pushed me to read more about this time period. Some people felt that the book was focused more on Constand Viljean, the General, which it needed to be, to show what Mandela was up against.

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel may be the best format for me to dive into this story that I would otherwise know nothing. Yes, I’m generally aware of Mandela’s legacy and the evils of apartheid, but this story fleshes out in a fuller dimension a few of the historical figures and their opposing movements. Take a chance on the illustrated format and read this book. Then pass it along. We need these stories, and I’m so grateful to Plough Publishing for getting them into our hands.

[Kathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was provided to me by NetGalley and Plough Publishing. All opinions are my own. Pub Date 5th Nov 2018.

As a big fan of nonfiction in graphic novel form, this book was easy for me to get excited about. While Mandela as a public figure his highly recognizable, I do believe that a lot of the details on the process of abolishing apartheid is pretty fuzzy for people now.

This book fills this gap by covering a crucial time in South Africa leading up to the first free elections in 1994 with the account of General Viljoen, an Afrikaaner who lead an opposition party. The story sheds light on the genius that was Mandela and how he used his knowledge of people and culture to pursue a path that lead to freedom and peace.

The art work in the book is stunning and really carries the narrative quite powerfully. I really liked the reduced usage of color throughout the book.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This fascinating historical note from the end of Apartheid would almost certainly be better if it wasn't narrated by the white supremacist general. It feels deeply strange to tell a Mandela story from the point of view of the angry Afrikaneer who wanted a separate state for whites. Sure, the general comes off as a reasonable, pragmatic man who helped Mandela avoid civil war...but like, the general was the guy who would have started that war in the first place.

The art is excellent in Mandela and the General, at least. And there's some good information embedded in the narrative, though it can all be hard to follow without prior knowledge of the fall of Apartheid. I found myself fairly lost during several scenes of black or white carnage with no narration present. This is a story worth telling, but Mandela and the General isn't exactly the way to tell it.

[Katie Peach · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

I received an advance reading copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Michelle Olms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Abbie Joiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this read. Anyone that is a fan of Mandela NEEDS to read

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea and admire them both so much more.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork was incredibly disturbing in both how it made you uncomfortable and displayed gruesome violence. Yet it was necessary to pull you into the fear and tension of South Africa at the time. Beautifully told narrative and just goes to show that violence is not always the solution.

[Furious Gazelle]

Mandela and The General focuses on one stitch in Nelson Mandela’s legacy. In 1994, as the first post-Apartheid elections approach, and black South Africans are ready to take power with Mandela as their president, a militant faction of white South Africans – the Freedom Front – are ready to riot and fight to the death if need be. Attempting to avert a massacre Mandela held a series of secret meetings with Constand Viljoen- a former general of the South African army and later leader of the right-wing Freedom Front party.

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

As leaders of opposing factions they have the pull to keep their people from becoming violent and through reason, Mandela convinces Viljoen to reel his people in, to create true peace and not “the peace of graveyards.”

The book is told mainly through Viljoen’s recollections pulled from an interview author John Carlin conducted with him. The focus is on Viljoen, how he agreed to head the “white resistance”, how his twin brother helped broker the talks, and how Viljoen ultimately came to think of Mandela as “the greatest of men”. The story also serves to underpin what made Mandela capable of fostering this respect even from an enemy.




In talks with Viljoen, Mandela leads with empathy. He says he could imagine what it’s like to be Viljoen, where he is coming from, and that they both are men who love their country. According to Mandela himself, people from his side thought he was a traitor to reach out to people who hate them. But, as he says, the results speak for themselves, and there would have been no other path to peace



It’s strange reading this book now especially since these events are only about 25 years old. Though the book only captures a small part of this raging historical time period it’s honestly somewhat hopeful for our own polarized political times.



The artwork by Oriol Malet is simple (there’s maybe six colors in this whole book) and expressive- his images don’t need words to land a moment and often don’t use any. Yet his imagery splashed across the General’s words brought the narration to life.

Read the full review at https://thefuriousgazelle.com/2018/12...

[Vicent Castells · Rating 5 out of 5]

La ilustració és molt adient en relació els fets que conta i la història basada en elles entrevistes d'un dels autors permet aproximar-se a la realitat del que es va viure a Sudàfrica.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Everything about this book is perfect- the execution, the storytelling, the relationships, the documentation of history. I loved the narration by General Vilojen, in conversation with author and journalist John Carlin, looking back at his time as head of the Afrikaner Volksfront. Rooted in Viljoen’s home with pacifist brother Braam and black servants, he tells South Africa’s story of Mandela’s release from prison up to Mandela’s election as President. I was struck by Mandela’s capacity for empathy and how it was his connection to Viljoen and Afrikaner’s struggles that turned the tide from chaos and war toward peace. The art is staggering. I especially loved the repetition of the continent of Africa, awash with symbolic colors and figures deliberating or making peace with big ideas. This is a must read.

[Lois Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Craig Wiesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a gripping and powerful telling of the story of General Constand Viljoen, a South African military man who was recruited by those who wanted to wage war to prevent the end of Apartheid. Nelson Mandela, recognizing the importance of understanding the perspective of white Afrikaners, and hoping that through dialogue he could win over the general and avoid unquenchable violence and unfathomable loss of life, established secret meetings with the general.

Mandela's brilliance, his dedication to non-violence, and his empathy for his enemies eventually won the day, with General Viljoen eventually being one of the few white men elected to South Africa's new, majority black government. Interestingly, while the general in the end said that he did not regret Mandela having been imprisoned for nearly 30 years, he was glad that he had worked with the freed Mandela to usher in a peaceful era, where black and white became equal.

Fantastic writing, incredible illustrations, with a story that needs to be told, this book is a must read for anyone who wonders how we can bridge divides that seem impossible to cross.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandela's compassion for the general is so kind and tactical.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

5 Thinking Stars

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.