Invictus: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation

Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game that made a Nation by John Carlin is now a major film, starring Morgan Freeman (as Nelson Mandela) and Matt Damon.

'[A] revelatory examination of Nelson Mandela's political genius . . . [A] tight, gripping and powerful book that shines a light on a moment of hope, not just for one nation but the whole world' Daily Express

The Rugby World Cup final of 1995 was the last act of the most improbable exercise in mass seduction ever seen: Nelson Mandela's conquest of the hearts of white South Africa. Invictus is the thrilling story of how the most charismatic political statesman of our time deployed political genius, charm and generous vision to pull off this most unlikely of miracles.

'The train of events leading up to what has been called South Africa's epiphany has long been crying out for a multilayered account and it is to John Carlin's eternal credit that he has written it. This is not so much a sporting volume as a wonderfully crafted and beautifully written work of modern political history.' Matthew Syed, The Times

'This outstanding book is not so much about rugby as about the ability of Mandela to harness the symbolic power of sport. It shows us that sport gains its power not only from the achievements of its players, but also from the dreams of those who watch them.' Daily Telegraph 'Books of the Year'

First published as Playing The Enemy