• Mighty Be Our Powers

  • How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War; a Memoir
  • By: Leymah Gbowee, Carol Mithers
  • Narrated by: Kimberly Scott
  • Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (235 ratings)

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Mighty Be Our Powers

By: Leymah Gbowee, Carol Mithers
Narrated by: Kimberly Scott
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Publisher's summary

As a young woman growing up in Africa, 17-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 14 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.

p>Gbowee’s memoir, Mighty Be Their 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.

©2011 Leymah Gbowee (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“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)

What listeners say about Mighty Be Our Powers

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Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and

Excellent book! Outstanding Narrator!! I can't say enough! It is a heartwarming story that a single, humble, person can effect so much change. And the voice of the narrator leads you into the story and won't let you go!

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5 people found this helpful

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Warts and all indeed

This is definitely not for those "readers" who like heroes in the abstract and put their idols on a pedestal. The book does a great job fleshing out Gbowee and those close to her, as well as their struggles. Interestingly enough, however, I had the feeling Gbowee was not completely at peace with the choices she made, and her explanations about why she made those choices oddly felt more like excuses rather than the objective analyses she clearly intended. But what is undeniable is how heroic her journey was, and if her story has brought her down to earth in my eyes, she is an inspiration for everyone. I hope Gbowee herself eventually comes to terms with her decisions.

The narration was competent enough, but the pronounced lisp did get on my nerves. As a longtime subscriber to Audible, I am still baffled by the low standards publishers have for the narrators.

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4 people found this helpful

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An amazing story

What made the experience of listening to Mighty Be Our Powers the most enjoyable?

The book was so well written and well read, the attention to detail made it so raw and real. You cannot read this book and be unchanged, it is amazing to see the way some people in our planet live, it inspired me to stand up for human and woman's rights. It was encouraging, uplifting and incredibly inspirational, it left me proud to be a woman! I highly recommend this book!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Never back down

Would you consider the audio edition of Mighty Be Our Powers to be better than the print version?

Madam Gbowee in every strugle there is peace to come, as i Arthur listening to your book on audiobook I cried as a 9 months old baby is it because your story is the same as mine.There is no fiction, false statement or editting to make it consummerable but a very true Liberian war story.I thank you for your hard work. Remember not anyone can be a Leader but the leader can come from anyone.

Would you recommend Mighty Be Our Powers to your friends? Why or why not?

Cuz the violence against women must stop.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes

Any additional comments?

Keep up the fight never back down.

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3 people found this helpful

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  • P
  • 12-01-12

Strange How Little We Know of the World

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a must read. No matter how educated we are as part of the free world, we do not fully understand our world. Human beings are capable of some horrible things but this book is a great example of the good in those who have the courage to change their destiny and that of a nation. This happened and how funny we do not have any idea it even happened.

What other book might you compare Mighty Be Our Powers to and why?

This is a book all its own. You can't compare one woman's tale to another because there are so many similarities but vast differences as exemplified by Leyma Gbowee's story.

Which character – as performed by Kimberly Scott – was your favorite?

Leyma Gbowee, though I've heard Leyman's actual voice. I liked that Ms Scott didn't fake a Liberian accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

A great moment to self evaluate after reading this.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing story! important message!

Would you listen to Mighty Be Our Powers again? Why?

will definitely listen over and over. Gbowee's story not only captures you with its'horrors and heroism, she teaches critically important lessons on making peace through healing and reconciliation. in a world wracked by violence, war and trauma, her book and the work she continues, shows us the way back to being compassionate and living in peace.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leymah

Have you listened to any of Kimberly Scott’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

have not but would listen to her narration again. very good!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both. expect it. that is part of what makes it so powerful!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating and honest memoir

Great read with lots of honesty and candor. Refreshing take on what it looks like to do development and peace building work.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great read

not a book I would normally read and there were parts that were hard to read (just very sad). still worth reading so much information about world events and womens struggle that was before unknown to myself. 10/10 would recommend

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    3 out of 5 stars
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We must enter the struggle

Leymah tells her story honestly. She shares her shadow side, along with her brilliance. She is not a super hero with special powers. She is a beaten-down woman, who rises up by God's power, 200% effort and great sacrifice. This is my second time through the book. I would have enjoyed it more if the reader would have made the effort to learn the pronunciation of West African cities and organizations.

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Great story

I loved this book ,was wonderfully narrated I felt like I went through the war with her!! Such a great humanitarian piece as well , women need to be in more leadership positions because we are naturally good at making better decisions for the good of the group than men!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story and journey to find you perfect place to help your country Liberia!

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