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Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War; A Memoir Audiobook
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(4.00) - 854 listener ratings
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Leymah Gbowee was one of three women to receive the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize
As a young woman growing up in Africa, seventeen-year-old Leymah Gbowee was crushed by a savage war when violence reached her native Monrovia, depriving her of the education she yearned for and claiming the lives of relatives and friends. As war continued to ravage Liberia, Gbowee’s bitterness turned to rage-fueled action as she realized that women bear the greatest burden in prolonged conflicts. Passionate and charismatic, Gbowee was instrumental in galvanizing hundreds, if not thousands of women in Liberia in 2002 to force a peace in the region after twelve years of war. She began organizing Christian and Muslim women to demonstrate together, founding Liberian Mass Action for Peace, launching protests and even a sex strike.
Gbowee’s memoir, Mighty Be Our Powers, chronicles the unthinkable violence she’s faced throughout her life and the peace she has helped broker by empowering hundreds of her countrywomen and others around the world to take action and takes listeners along on her continuing journey as she harnesses the power of women to bring her country peace, saves herself, and changes history.
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"For several years, I've been telling everyone that Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is a must-read. I still say that, but now I've added a second book to that must-read recommendation: Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War. I was deeply moved by this book, and surprised by much of what I found there. I had expected to read about the peace movement of the Liberian women--I've seen the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" so I knew the basic story. However, not only does the book give a much more complete picture of the story the documentary tells, but Gbowee begins with a very honest description of her childhood and early adult years, experiences of domestic violence, and her own personal experiences during the war. She also addresses the painful difficulty of her work for peace and justice in terms of being a mother. Throughout, Gbowee is honest, humble, and discerning; she speaks highly of many others side-by-side with critiques of some. This story addresses so many issues facing women worldwide that it's hard to place it in any particular box. I can't recommend it highly enough."
— Sandy (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Leymah bore witness to the worst of humanity and helped bring Liberia out of the dark. Her memoir is a captivating narrative that will stand in history as testament to the power of women, faith, and the spirit of our great country.”
— Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia -
“So many memoirs focus on the story of a single person who inspires us all with her story and language, but Mighty Be Our Powers is a different, larger, more universal kind of book that tells the story of both Leymah and an entire generation of girls-turned-women-turned-world leaders. Read it—and be inspired.”
— Oprah.com -
“One of the most inspirational and powerful books I’ve ever read. The story of one woman’s struggle against the worst and what she can teach all of us about finding the courage and strength to change the world.”
— Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook -
“A beautifully written narrative.”
— Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women -
“An engrossing, fluently written story that anyone who cares about changing the world has to read.”
— Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III Pastor, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York -
“Mighty Be Our Powers reminds us that even in the worst of times, humanity’s best can shine through.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1984 -
“If you are looking for hope among the many news stories of conflict and violence, you will find it here.”
— Christian Century -
“Kimberly Scott’s narration is steady, purposeful, and confident—attributes that keep sadness at bay while listening to this story of the war in Liberia that disrupted author Leymah Gbowee’s life when she was a teen.”
— AudioFile -
“With commanding charity, Gbowee celebrates Liberia’s eight years of peace and continues teaching young women about the power of activism. A patriotic chronicle reverberant with valor and perseverance.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Awards
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A Library Journal bestseller
Mighty Be Our Powers Listener Reviews
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" Best book I've read in a long time. Didn't get to finish it but got about 2/3 done. Really makes you appreciate living in the US. "
— John, 2/7/2014 -
" Although difficult to read at times because of the extreme circumstances, this was a really fascinating personal account of a woman's struggle to survive during the conflicts in Liberia. I first read it based on a short summary in Newsweek and it was even better than I expected. "
— Marybeth, 2/4/2014 -
" It was okay, but not at all what I thought it was about. "
— Bethany, 1/31/2014 -
" I probably would have liked this better if I hadn't already seen the documentary. PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL has a more badass title and I think tells the story a little better so just watch that. "
— Ty, 1/18/2014 -
" If you doubt that you can ever have a positive effect on things around you, and wonder what a single individual can do, then you need to read this book... "
— Michael, 1/14/2014 -
" This was an inspiring book about a woman from Liberia who grew up in poverty, had a tough relationship with a man, which resulted in 4 children. She pulled herself out of her situation and became a female Ghandi. She peacefully fought against the warlords in her country and made a real difference. There is a documentary film called "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" which tells her story. I'd like to see the film now too. "
— Shaun, 1/10/2014 -
" Fantastic. It brought tears to my eyes numerous times. "
— Reid, 1/1/2014 -
" This story is nothing short of remarkable, as is the woman behind the story. The personal growth of Leymah Gbowee juxtaposed with the growth of a country. "
— Jaq, 12/28/2013 -
" A wonderful and inspiring story of how the power of women can change the world. "
— Marcy, 12/17/2013 -
" I LOVE IT!! This book is so inspiring, empowering and moving. The best memoir I've read. "
— Enass, 12/1/2013 -
" A powerful book about accomplishment in the face of the impossible. Uplifting but also sorrowful about what still needs to be done in the world. An amazing story of strong women making a difference. "
— Jo, 9/24/2013 -
" Amazing story, proves that real people with baggage and problems can make a real difference in the world. Kind of hard to read, being non-fiction it gets slow, but the story is phenominal and you love the people. "
— Bonnie, 8/17/2013 -
" Powerful and inspirational. Really enjoyed reading the book. It will stay with me for a long time. "
— Merley, 7/23/2013 -
" Listened to this book and enjoyed it immensely - learned much about the power of women who want to change their world. "
— Julie, 5/4/2013 -
" Good political story and interesting personal one too. One woman's life can take so many amazing and unexpected and important twists and turns. Mine seems rather boring in comparison! "
— Leigh, 1/12/2013 -
" Fantastic. This book focuses on the civil war in Liberia from the prospective of the women affected by it. It inspires hope, draws tears and invokes deep thought. This book shows you how a group of women banded together to fight for peace, and how they won it. "
— Mari, 12/23/2012 -
" Amazing story and a breathtaking life! Not super well-written, but the story makes it so worth it! So inspiring! "
— Kate, 10/21/2012 -
" This is a good, quick read. Provides solid background/context on Liberia's recent history and the women's movement that helped bring the civil war to an end. "
— Anne, 10/12/2012 -
" Pretty good read. It was more biography than I expected it to be, but a really great story and message. At 39 years old, I hope to hear a lot more about this woman as the years go on. "
— Kerrie, 9/1/2012 -
" Horrifying and inspiring, a testimony to the power of grass roots mobilization and advocacy in ending war and atrocities against women. An incredible story. Highly recommended. "
— Emilie, 5/20/2012 -
" Powerful and inspiring memoir by a woman who said stop and organized others to use their power to insist on peace . "
— Mary, 4/8/2012 -
" This was a phenomenal, all-inspiring book. Very well written and very informative. "
— Rachel, 3/4/2012 -
" This book was sad yet hopeful.My heart broke and broke for Laymah and everyone else. "
— Soapykitty, 2/25/2012 -
" Amazing story of a woman who refused to let war, politics, tragedy, circumstance and even her own bad choices continue to dis-empower her. Also a story of the power of women, united, to change the world around them. "
— Elaine, 10/21/2011 -
" Pretty good read. It was more biography than I expected it to be, but a really great story and message. At 39 years old, I hope to hear a lot more about this woman as the years go on. "
— Kerrie, 9/22/2011
About Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee is one of three women awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. A Liberian peace and women’s rights activist, she is the Africa columnist for the Daily Beast. As war ravaged Liberia, Gbowee organized Christian and Muslim women to demonstrate together, founding Liberian Mass Action for Peace and launching protests and a sex strike. Her part in helping to oust Charles Taylor was featured in the documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell. She is a single mother of six, including one adopted daughter, and is based in Accra, Ghana, where she is the executive director of the Women, Peace, and Security Network–Africa. She has spoken publicly numerous times on the issue of women in conflict situations and was a panelist at several regional and international conferences. In October 2007, the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government honored her with the Blue Ribbon Peace Award. This annual award is given to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to peace building through innovative strategies that promote women’s leadership in peace processes on the local, national, or international level.
About Kimberly Scott
Kimberly Scott, a Texas-born actress, earned a post-graduate degree from the Yale School of Drama. Her film credits include The Abyss, Flatliners, Batman Forever, I Am Sam, and more. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone and has also appeared in two shows at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.