For striving for equality in South Africa, Nelson Mandela and his friends were imprisoned.

After a 27 year sentence, he published his autobiography, much of which was written secretly while in prison. The book details his early life, adulthood, education, time in prison, and rise to power.

Long Walk to Freedom was published in 1995 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison.

The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle continues against apartheid in in South Africa.

Within the first parts of the autobiography, Mandela describes his upbringing as a child and adolescent in South Africa and his connection with the royal Thembu dynasty.

His childhood name was Rolihlahla, which is loosely translated as “pulling the branch of a tree,” or mean a “troublemaker.”Later in the text, Mandela describes his education at a Thembu college. He mentions his education at the University of Fort Hare and his practice of law later on.

Within the second part of the book, Mandela introduces political and social aspects of apartheid in South Africa.

Mandela joined the African national Congress in 1950 and describes his organization of guerrilla tactics and underground organizations to battle against apartheid.