Apart from Long Walk to Freedom, this is undoubtedly the most important book about Mandela’s life that has, or possibly ever will be, published. Created and produced by PQ Blackwell, and written by five talented and award-winning authors and researchers, in collaboration with two of Mandela’s closest living comrades from Robben Island, it will be the definitive portrait of this great man’s life. It features the most complete collection of images ever assembled, and contains 60 original interviews with international and South African figures, such as Bill Clinton, Bono, Tony Blair, Thabo Mbeki, George Bizos, Sir Richard Branson, Sydney Poitier, Helen Suzman, and Muhammad Ali to name but a few. The foreword is by Kofi Annan, and the introduction by Desmond Tutu. Mike Nicol, has written the 40,000 word narrative biography, and the interviews were conducted by Professor Tim Couzens, Dr Rosalind Coward, and South African journalist Amina Frense. Mac Maharaj and Ahmed Kathrada, former Robben Island inmates and close friends of Mr Mandela, have acted as editorial consultants for this book, which is fully authorised and has been written and researched with the assistance of Mandela, his family and friends. The book features many quotes, personal documents and intimate letters from Mandela to his friends and family, and over 250 photographs, many never before published, and some specially commissioned for the book.