Tree Shaker: The Story of Nelson Mandela

by Bill Keller

Book Overview

The defendants had little hope of winning the case.... On the first day of the trial, Mandela startled the courtroom by arriving in the traditional leopard-skin cloak of Xhosa royalty to dramatize the fact that he was an African entering a white man's court.... "I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination," he told the court. "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and see realized. But if it need be, my lord, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." They were found guilty, as they knew they would be.... Mandela was forty-four years old when he entered prison. He would be seventy-one when he was released. Book jacket.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0753459922
• ISBN13: 9780753459928
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Kingfisher
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.5" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

TREE SHAKER is a very informative and colorful book written by Bill Keller, the Executive Editor of The New York Times. The entire book is written like one long article, broken up by chapters and festive with many colorful pictures. It tells the story of Nelson Mandela's life -- from childhood to becoming the first black South African president -- and his impact on South Africa and the world. This book was very informative; somewhat like a history textbook but with many colorful pictures and interesting story and dialogues in between the factual parts. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about the life of a man who impacted the world with his brilliance and determination for black equality among a white supremacist country. Reviewed by: Steph