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Triumph  By  cover art

Triumph

By: Carolyn Jessop, Laura Palmer
Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
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Publisher's summary

A moving and inspirational true story of one woman’s life after fleeing the ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect featured in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey—from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape

Triumph is thoughtful, intelligent, and engaging.”—Meg Wolitzer, bestselling author of The Interestings

In 2003, Carolyn Jessop, a lifelong member of the extremist Mormon sect the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), gathered up her eight children, including her profoundly disabled four-year-old son, and escaped in the middle of the night to freedom. After detailing the shocking conditions of FLDS and her harrowing flight in her memoir, Escape, Carolyn reveled in her newfound identity as a bestselling author, a devoted mom, and a loving companion to the wonderful man in her life. She thought she had put her past firmly behind her.

Then, on April 3, 2008, it came roaring back when the state of Texas, acting on a tip from a young girl who’d called a hotline alleging abuse, staged a surprise raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch, a sprawling, 1700-acre compound near Eldorado, Texas, where the jailed FLDS “prophet” Warren Jeffs had relocated his sect’s most “worthy” members three years earlier. The ranch was being run by Merril Jessop, Carolyn’s ex-husband and one of the cult’s most powerful leaders. As a mesmerized nation watched the crisis unfold, Carolyn was called upon as an expert to help authorities understand the customs and beliefs of the extremist religious sect.

In Triumph, Carolyn tells the real, harrowing story behind the raid and sets the record straight on much of the damaging misinformation that flooded the media in its aftermath. She recounts the setbacks and the successes, all while weaving in details of her own life in the years since her escape—including her budding role as a social critic and her struggle to make peace with her eldest daughter’s heartbreaking decision to return to the cult.

An extraordinary woman who has overcome countless challenges and tragedies in her life, Carolyn shows us in this book how she has triumphed in spite of everything—and how you can, too, no matter what adversity you face.

©2010 Carolyn Jessop (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Thoughtful, intelligent, and engaging."—Meg Wolitzer, bestselling author of The Ten-Year Nap

"Carolyn Jessop once again courageously speaks out and exposes the FLDS facade for the criminal operation it is. A brave, compelling and wise book."—Sam Brower, lead investigator of the FLDS

What listeners say about Triumph

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Helped me to look at the raid differently.

I listened to Carolyn's first book "Escaped" and was fascinated. I wasn't sure this book would have that much new info, but decided to take the chance. I'm glad I did, as it made me look at the whole raid that took place on the FDLS community in 2008 differently. I remember reading about it, watching it on the news, watching the Oprah show where she interviewed the woman. At the time I thought, I wouldn't personally choose to live that way, but those woman seem to be happy with their choice, so they have that right.. But after listening to this book I realize that the woman of this community are "trained" to say and do the "right" thing, and what we saw on tv was just the result of years of brainwashing these woman experienced. After listening to this book, I'm disappointed that the children were eventually returned to this life style without more being offered to the mothers as a way out.
The first part of the book is about the raid, the 2nd part is more of an update as to what has happened in Carolyn's life and her childrens life after their escape. There's quite a bit of info about her oldest daughter, Betty, too, and about her return to the FDLS..
Ann Marie Lee narrates the book and does a great job. She has an enjoyable voice and kept the book interesting throughout the entire thing.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Essential sequel to Escape

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

Yes, I would greatly recommend this book to a friend who is interested in FLDS life or is leaving an abusive relationship.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Triumph?

The meeting between Carolyn and Betty

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

The details of the raid at the YFZ ranch and Carolyn's reaction to it was quite moving

Any additional comments?

This book is a fitting follow-up to Escape. It adds in a few details that are not present in Escape, such as the things that made Carolyn strong enough and observant enough toleave when she did. Occasionally, Carolyn gets on her soap box (her position on schooling in particular) and emphasizes her specialness a little too much, but these are minor quibbles in a good book.

Ann Marie Lee is an incredible choice of narrator for this book, as she was for Escape. She depicts particular emotions with a light touch.

I would recommend reading this work only after reading Escape. It does stand on its own, but to understand the full impact of what Carolyn went through in the FLDS, Escape is the more comprehensive book.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great buy, I could not stop listening.

AMAZING!!!! Her story is inspiring, this audio book is very well written and the voice is perfect. You wont't regret buying this book. I love her story and how strong she is.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great followup for "escape"

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was great to find out what happened after the events of "Escape". It also provides a lot of info about the raid on the YFZ ranch. Carolyn is a brave, brave woman. Some reviewers have said that Carolyn gets up on her soapbox too often, or is too preachy, but I don't find that to be the case. Or, if she is, I must just agree with everything she believes in because I found myself nodding my head right along with everything she had to say. This woman lived in an abusive relationship for years, and found the strength to escape, and now she's proof that sometimes there are happy endings after all.
Good for you, Carolyn. Good for you.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful book

very easy to listen too. enjoyed it so much. brave woman and hope all others escape too.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Okay but not as good as Escape

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I would have liked to hear more facts on the aftermath of her escape.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Shattered Dreams

Would you be willing to try another one of Ann Marie Lee’s performances?

Yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story was ok some of it was corny.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great read

I loved the book. Great information about the flds. seemed to repeat herself several times during the book, but otherwise it was a great read!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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RalphyNovotney says: This woman is truly AMAZING!

She (Carolyn Jessop) and her family deserves EVERY good thing she has coming her way!!!

It wouldn't even surprise me that oneday, she'll be graduating from Harvard University and lecturing there.

'Great job on this psrt of the story and the narration (by Ann Marie Lee) was simply impeccable!!!

RalphyNovotney
The BrokeBlackGuru

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Insightful

If you could sum up Triumph in three words, what would they be?

Good can triumph

What was one of the most memorable moments of Triumph?

I just sit in awe of this type of courage, the fact that Carolyn had enough energy to write a book after the harrowing life she faced is a blessing.

What does Ann Marie Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought this narrator had a rather soothing voice and she made this a easy listen.

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

Not really this book was a tad slow but had a lot of good information.

Any additional comments?

I believe the courage to write these books always warrants four stars but I did enjoy Carolyn's first book quite bit more.

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Intriguing

After listening to Carolyn’s first book, I was so glad to hear there was a second! The way it was written, it seems as though even if the first one was not read you could still understand her life before. Her first book, ESCAPE, had more of the details and definitely worth reading but if you accidentally started this one first you will be fine. I very much connected to her words near the end about Betty and cling to her idea of love and keeping that door open. My son has married a woman who has cut his side of the family out of everything making us seem like the enemy. He’s basically in a narcissist relationship. So I will just keep my front porch light on for him one day if he realizes he needs a place to go. I keep lines on communication open although minimal. I do hope you write another book! 🌻 Looking forward to the growth of all the kids… and hearing about Betty.

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