George Bizos

This is the spell-binding autobiography of one of the world’s most admired human rights advocates. George Bizos’ story, told on a grand scale, begins with his daring rescue of six New Zealand soldiers from the Nazis as a boy in Greece. He arrives in Johannesburg with his father, penniless and unable to speak English. He studies law at Wits and becomes an advocate, building a career on defending the downtrodden against apartheid abuses in a hostile justice system. He becomes the defender of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and the families of Steve Biko, Chris Hani and the Cradock Four. He mediates in the events around Winnie Mandela and even defends Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe. These cases are related as gripping courtroom dramas, augmented by the drama behind the scenes. His whole remarkable, courageous and beneficial life is told in astonishing detail, involving hundreds of colourful characters and anecdotes. This is set to become the autobiography of the decade.