My Story

By: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart

Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time, 10 years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in the wake of a brutal crime.

On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.

Now for the first time, in her memoir, My Story, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.

In the nine years after her rescue, Smart transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker. In 2012, she married Matthew Gilmour, whom she met doing mission work in Paris for her church, in a fairy tale wedding that made the cover of People magazine.

©2013 Elizabeth Smart (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

For Parents Especially

Would you consider the audio edition of My Story to be better than the print version?

Hearing Elizabeth read her book adds power to this story that writing alone cannot possibly provide.

What did you like best about this story?

This story cannot be adequately explained with the word "LIKE." I will say this, every parent, and especially mothers should listen to this book and take to heart the power of a mother's words - the words and teaching of Elizabeth's mother sustained her through an ordeal that is really, beyond words. I do not want to minimize the divine intervention that clearly kept Elizabeth strong, but her mother's words were the conduit by which God reminded her to hold on to her faith.

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

I cried several times, but the author's frequent sarcastic observations frequently made me laugh or smile.

Any additional comments?

Put quite simply, this book offers the keys to dealing with almost any traumatic event. Who could have imagined that Elizabeth Smart would find herself in such a brutal and evil situation? Still, even though she was a young, naïve and sheltered girl, her parents prepared her, her church prepared her, and God sustained her through an horrific ordeal beyond description. Elizabeth is willing to share her story - every parent should be willing to hear or at least read her story. As for the religious skeptics - "My Story" offers two profound truths: 1) Evil exists! 2) God is alive and well!!!

Eye opening & life changing

I would almost call this book a must – read. It is graphic in its descriptions, though not overly. It has opened my eyes and changed my perspective on many things. After reading this book I feel more empowered to protect my children. Thank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth amazes me

Would you consider the audio edition of My Story to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Story?

When Elizabeth spoke to her Mother on the phone.

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Smart – was your favorite?

Elizabeth is my favorite. She is so strong. I am amazed she didn't give up on her strong faith while going through this ordeal.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Elizabeth is very articulate. I don't know if she had a tough time reading this book without breaking down. I became very angry knowing how these people treated her. She really showed a lot of strength talking Mitchell into going back to Salt Lake City. Well done. It saved your life.

Any additional comments?

I am nearly thirty years older than Elizabeth. Perhaps one day my strength can compare to hers

A story of survival and faith.

Loved it! Elizabeth sharing her personal journey and showing us how she relied on her faith to get her through the deepest darkest moments of her life.

Very moving

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

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Happy Ending

What does Elizabeth Smart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

her voice and emotion that would would not get from just reading the book

compelling and inspiring

I enjoyed the story and was inspired by her courage. I know the author is not an actress but the reading was a little dull but I appreciated hearing her emotion in her own story.

I was afraid to read it....

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

Yes... I would recommend this book! At first I was afraid to read it. I have a young daughter and I thought I would be quite disturbed and horrified to the point that I would be parnoid that something like this would happen to her. However knowing the outcome of her story, made reading it bearable.

What about Elizabeth Smart’s performance did you like?

I love that this audio book was read by Elizabeth herself! It gave the story so much more meaning. At first her voice seemed a little monotone, but I felt that she warmed up throughout the book. I like that she added emphasis where she would have wanted it. I love to hear the sarcasim is her voice when she talked about Mitchell.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The very end was fabulous. The book ends soon after she is rescued. Smart talks briefly about how she recovered from her trauma. It is so inspiring to hear how she understood the power of choice in her life!

Incredible

Amazing! Truly an inspiration. Elizabeth shows how to be grateful and exercise your faith in God and yourself.

Inspiring

Remarkable young lady with strength beyond her years. Must Read for anyone especially a young adult.

Captivating!

This story is unlike any other. Smart does such an incredible job of telling her story. I was joyful and filled with sorrow. What happened to her is unreal, but I’m thankful to hear her story and to see how her faith prevailed.