Book cover of Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

Book description

Read the book that inspired the Academy Award and Golden Globe winning 2009 film INVICTUS featuring Morgan Freeman and Matt Daymon, directed by Clint Eastwood.

Beginning in a jail cell and ending in a rugby tournament- the true story of how the most inspiring charm offensive in history brought South…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Playing the Enemy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

One of the many benefits of sports fandom I researched is its use in international affairs, nation-building, and the peace process. There is no better example of this than what has been called the “South African Miracle,” and in this great book, veteran English journalist Carlin, who was in the country for years covering its politics, shows how the late great Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize winner and South Africa’s first black President, used the intense fandom behind the nation’s beloved spectator sport, rugby, to ease the transition from apartheid to democracy and prevent an almost inevitable Civil War. The…

From Larry's list on The best books for sports fans.

My goal is to help clients identify and neutralize the power dynamic in any relationship or exchange. In this autobiography of Nelson Mandela's experience in prison and beyond, he deftly transforms one challenging situation after another. His ability to stay Partner under pressure results in consistently positive outcomes. This is an illustration of a very high level of emotional intelligence, which we are all capable of developing.

If you love Playing the Enemy...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Playing the Enemy?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Playing the Enemy.

Browse books like Playing the Enemy

Book cover of Untamed
Book cover of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Book cover of The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

164

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Playing the Enemy, you might also like...

The Delphi Agenda by Rob Swigart,

Book cover of The Delphi Agenda

Papyrologist Lisa Emmer's world flips when the Sûreté detains her at her Metro station with news of the savage murder of the esteemed Paris historian Dr. Raimond Foix, her friend and mentor in the study of ancient documents.

Horrified, Lisa finds clues at the crime scene left behind for her…

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook,

Book cover of The Tao of Poison

A poisonous maiden, a Daoist sex cult, and a violent insurgency.

The polyandrous Yan family in China's rural Shaanxi Province takes in two carpenter brothers. When one brother is convicted of murder after killing their neighbor in a dispute, a constable threatens to expose the family's rumored polyandry and extorts…

5 book lists we think you will like!