Nelson Mandela's Private Thoughts in New Book
New autobiography: from prison to presidency of South Africa.
Oct. 21, 2010— -- The public persona of Nelson Mandela is internationally known – activist, president, political icon.
But in his latest book, "Conversations with Myself," a new, unprecedented, intimate picture emerges of the 92-year-old Mandela – a man who endured isolation in prison, heart-breaking divorce, and personal loss while balancing the demands of loving both his family and his political work.
South African archivist Verne Harris, who wrote the introduction and did much of the work to compile "Conversations with Myself," was allowed wide access to Mandela's personal notes, journal entries, letters and manuscripts, written over decades.
"The private Nelson Mandela is one we can all relate to," Harris said. "He's taken the stuff life has given him and he's worked with it, in ways that are often very simple"
Harris sat down with ABC News to discuss the new picture of the leader that emerges from his latest work.
While Mandela's relationship with second wife Winnie became known around the world, the leader opens up about his fist wife, Evelyn in "Conversations with Myself."
"The breakdown of his first marriage, it was ugly," Harris told ABC News.
The couple had four children together, but Mandela's life outside of the home and personal differences placed a wedge between the two.
"So at one level it's, "Well, I've put my political work before my marriage and my family. I made that choice and Evelyn couldn't cope with that. But at another level it's a little murkier than that. You know?" Harris told ABC News.
"Evelyn became increasingly religious. I remember him once saying to me, 'Ah, the day I knew I couldn't keep going is when I came home and found the church in my house. And I had to chase them all out.'"
The couple divorced in 1958.
Before becoming president of a democratic South Africa in 1994, Nelson Mandela was held in several prisons throughout the country from 1964 to 1990. Numerous letters written from prison are shared in "Conversations with Myself," in them Mandela gives glimpses into what his life was like without his freedom.
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