Biko: The True Story of the Young South African Martyr and His Struggle to Raise Black Consciousness

BIKO-CRY FREEDOM by Donald Woods was a revelation--a five star revelation. Rarely does a book move one to tears, but I was overwhelmed by the loss of such an incredible leader and individualist. We often equate our own struggle for equality (one that is still being fought everyday, sadly) with that of South Africa's, but very few of us can truly comprehend the centuries-long white oppression, demoralization and outright violence endured by the indigenous people of South Africa and Rhodesia. Steve Biko was a political being, a figurehead, a symbol, an icon. He became such because his people were sorely in need of leadership when most of the great African leaders like Mandela had been languishing in prisons for over 20 years. But he was first and foremost a human being, capable of greatness and by his own admission, flawed like the rest of us. The wonderful thing about this book is that you get a real sense of the man--his belief's, his humor, his loyalty, his approach to the struggle and his infectious positivity. Biko, himself, would have been too modest to pen the moving words that Donald Woods unabashedly writes about his former enemy--the man who became such a good friend that Woods, his wife and five children risked their lives to smuggle the manuscript for this book out of the country. BIKO--CRY FREEDOM reads like a novel and is compelling as any book I have ever read.

Before reading the book I only knew the word Apartheid. After reading it I understand why it was condemned and is now over. I like to think it gave me a bit of perspective on the struggle African-Americans face.

A great read which truly bring to light the thoughts and ideas of Steven Biko. Well documented events that bring to light the events that occurred during the apartheid era Woods does a good job sharing his ideas and experience to those of Steven. I really enjoyed this book

True story about Batu Stephen Biko and Donald Woods and their roles battling apartheid in South Africa during late 1970s. Inspiring, thought provoking, educational..... brings to life the realities of life in a police state and the struggles of Black Consciousness

Excellently written

I enjoyed the book, It gave more details than the movie.

Too much of the court transcript. That's not writing; that's cutting and pasting.

IT ARRIVED IN GOOD CONDITION.

There were undertones of racism from nelson mandela in his speech before his internment though granted he was an oppressed people and projecting black conciousness. Stephen Biko hoped for a united and equal South Africa but what we have today is a south africa that appears to have replaced the white aggressor with a black aggressor particularly a unfactual land grabber similar to mozambique.Stephen Biko did not die for blacks he died for a free south africa through black conciousness. This book is book 2 from donald woods and his own dramatic escape to expose aparthied to the world. As Nelson and Stephen explain through their struggle they were looking to be equals not to replace white power with black power but the struggle to break the yoke through black conciousness was the equivalent of the reinvention of mankind. The israelis did it and now the africans have done it but at what cost. I know more white south africans are leaving south africa because of the black conciousness movement has become too political but nevertheless this book Biko by Donald Woods and made in to a film Cry Freedom is an important guide to democracy; justice and humanity. I don't know if Stephen Biko was given a postumous nobel peace prize but he should be awarded this prize My personal score for Biko is 10/10.

a very good book

good value

Great book

very very happy to have this wonderful book that everyone in the world should read