Time editor Richard Stengel‘s new book about Nelson Mandela, “Mandela’s Way: 15 Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage,” almost didn’t get off the ground. Stengel told guests at the Time & Life building that at their first introduction, Mandela told him, “After two or three meetings, you’ll have enough for the book” — causing Stengel to exclaim, “You are crazy!” According to Stengel, it got him escorted out. He eventually apologized to Mandela for “being so brusque,” to which the former South African president replied, “If you thought you were brusque, you must be a very gentle man.” Also at the party were Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King and Charlie Rose.
Time editor’s outburst almost cost him
