Articles

“In my view, Desmond Tutu is the best advert for Christianity that walks on this earth.”
                                    — Bono

“For decades (Tutu) has been a moral titan, a voice of principle, an unrelenting champion of justice, and a dedicated peacemaker…an outspoken voice for freedom and justice in countries across the globe; a staunch defender of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons”
                                    — President Barack Obama

Desmond Tutu has become one of the greatest moral voices of our time. In his new book, God is Not A Christian, an essential collection of his most historic speeches and writings, we witness his unique career of provoking the powerful and confronting the world in order to protect the oppressed, the poor, and the victims of injustice.

Working with a rabble-rouser

From Times Online
October 10, 2007

John Allen spent 13 years following in the wake of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as the author of his biography, he explains what motivated the rabble-rouser and what kept him going through the dark days of apartheid

by Joanna Sugden

He’s been called an “angry, evil and embittered little bishop” by Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe which must be a badge of honour.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who turned 76 on Sunday, can claim so many titles, Nobel Peace Laureate, anti-apartheid activist, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but in his authorised biography, he is the rabble-rouser for peace. As apt a description as Mugabe’s is offensive.

An interview with John Allen on "Rabble-Rouser," as edited by the Sunday Times, Johannesburg, and published on May 20, 2007, ahead of the announcement of the newspaper's Alan Paton Award for Non-fiction.

"Rabble-Rouser" was one of five South African non-fiction works shortlisted for South Africa's annual Alan Paton Award for Non-Fiction.

The award, announced on June 16, 2007, was given to Ivan Vladislavic, for his book, "Portrait With Keys." Bloomberg news reported on the award in a report from Cape Town, Afrikaans Epic, Suburban Memoir Win Africa's Richest Book Prize .

At the awards ceremony, "Rabble-Rouser" was pronounced "The definitive study of the life of one of South Africa's great heroes," and described as "A full, rich account of Tutu's life."

The shortlist was announced at a function organised by the Sunday Times newspaper in Johannesburg on May 2. The other books shortlisted were:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6581271

National Public Radio

December 5, 2006 · Journalist John Allen wrote Rabble-Rouser for Peace, an authorized biography of South African theologian and activist Desmond Tutu. Allen discusses the book with Tony Cox.

Listen to the interview by going to the following page and pressing the "Listen" button:

News and Notes, National Public Radio

Interview on the Chet Curtis Report, nightly news and interview program, New England Cable News, on November 16, 2006:

• Link via index page

• Direct link to interview via web page

• Play in Windows Media Player

Posted: 11/10/06

Few religious leaders have caused as much political change as Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

South African journalist John Allen presented his latest book "Rabble Rouser for Peace: The Authorized Biography of Desmond Tutu" to a packed auditorium of students and faculty at the Divinity School Thursday night.

Allen outlined Tutu's life story to the audience, from his obscure roots to his position as a religious icon and anti-Apartheid leader in South Africa.

Tutu's unique oratorical style and talent for mobilizing crowds helped him earn a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, and gave him a leading role in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-Apartheid South Africa.

Allen said that as a young man Tutu wanted to help others as a doctor-not a priest.