January 2009 Playing the Enemy. Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation by John Carlin. This book was a truly uplifting book. The author tells the story of Nelson Mandela establishing a relationship with his prison guards all the way up to the President of South Africa leading to his gradual release and eventual election as President. The core of the story was Mandela reaching the South African populace through rugby, the Springboks (the South African national Rugby team) and the World Cup game in 1995. Although the 1995 game, and Mandela's friendship with the Springbok captain, is mentioned only as a footnote in other Mandel biographies, it is a powerful story of leadership. This book is an easy read and a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book.