On 11 July 1963, police raided Lilisleaf farm at Rivonia near Johannesburg,rresting alleged members of the high command of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armeding of the African National Congress (ANC). Together with the alreadymprisoned Nelson Mandela, they were put on trial, charged with conspiring toverthrow the apartheid government by violent revolution. Their expectedunishment was death. In "The State vs. Nelson Mandela", Joel Joffe, theirefence Attorney, gives a blow-by-blow account of the most important trial inouth Africa's history, vividly portraying the characters of those involved,nd exposing the astonishing bigotry and rampant discrimination faced by theccused, as well as showing their courage under fire. With a personal forwardrom Nelson Mandela, this gripping chronicle of a pivotal moment in the warn apartheid should be read by everyone interested in the struggle forustice and human rights.