The Small and the Mighty

Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

By: Sharon McMahon

Narrated by: Sharon McMahon

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From America’s favorite government teacher, a “fascinating and fun” (Adam Grant) portrait of twelve ordinary Americans whose courage formed the character of our country.

In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history’s unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time.

You’ll meet a woman astride a white horse riding down Pennsylvania Ave, a young boy detained at a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter, a poet on a train, and a teacher who learns to work with her enemies. More than one thing is bombed, and multiple people surprisingly become rich. Some rich with money, and some wealthy with things that matter more.

This is a book about what really made America – and Americans – great. McMahon’s cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free.

©2024 Sharon McMahon (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“With shimmering research, an observant eye, and a bright moral compass, Sharon McMahon leads us through the thickets of the past until we can see where we came from and where we are going.”―David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of The Wager and Killers of the Flower Moon

“Sharon McMahon is a national treasure and a one-woman cavalry for truth, saving our republic one loving and clear-eyed lesson at a time. She and this book are a gift to our country.”—Isabel Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns

Conflicted

Sharon McMahon is amazing. As a governerd I have absolutely enjoyed her Instagram and in depth explanation of all things government. She is unbiased, concise, and fair when it comes to politics. Here's why I'm conflicted.

I was so eager to listen to this book. And the stories are worth hearing. But as the author and narrator of this Audible, I struggled to listen. She tries to make an impact with her voice and it was ultimately too distracting for me to continue. This is not a criticism of her work as her book is thoroughly researched and put together in a way the reader or listener can follow along. This is a critique of the way it was read which (for me) had me turning the Audible off. I look forward to reading the physical book.

Good stories, but hard to follow

I absolutely love Sharon, and these stories are so important to share. I am very glad. I listened to this, but I often found it very hard to follow. I also have a physical copy of the book and tried reading some of that as well. It did not make it less confusing. The author jumps around a lot and mentions so many people that it is impossible to keep them all straight.

Absolutely Beautiful!

I was listening to this book between helping customers at work, but I had to stop because I kept crying. It's absolutely beautiful and so very inspiring. I hope to be part of the continued progress of this great country.

Informative, Moving and Riveting

I have been trying to not listen in one day to Sharon's amazing storytelling. I wanted to process the information and take time to really think of each hero. There is so much knowledge I learned with such beauty in each untold story. We can all do something- not everything- but something to make America a better place.... Really, to make the world a better place. And this book shares about those who did what they could, with the resources they have, to change the course of our country and world. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

A National Treasure

If you are on the fence about hearing Sharon read you this story, don’t be.

This is the book we all need, written by the only person who could have given it to us. Sharon McMahon is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs. She has single-handedly taken me from feeling shame over America and our current political landscape, to instead feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in my country and her people.

As she says, “And it is us, the small and the mighty, who make America great. Not again, but always.”

Courage and compassion of the 12 people.

I disliked that the book ended. I want more. It sparked a desire in me to do more to make a difference. I’m so tired of the hate being spread and was ready to hear something uplifting. Thank you.

A call to action and a call to hope

If you are feeling like the current political situation is hopeless and hopelessly divided, this is the book for you! We (you and I) are the solution. We are the plan. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We can choose hope and choose to do the next right thing just like the amazing unknown (until now) historical figures whose stories are told in this book. I have followed Sharon McMahon (@sharonsaysso on IG) for a LONG time and have been a part of her book group since its founding. She makes learning about history, and government and civics entertaining. (Which is saying something because history - and English - were my least favorite subjects in high school.) And she sites her sources! And challenges you to move outside your bubble.

The book doesn't just teach us history in an engaging way. The book is a call to action. "America at her best is just. She is peaceful. She is good. And she she is free. And it is us [yes, I know, Mrs Hawkes, my 8th grade grammar teacher... it probably should say 'it is we'], the small and the mighty, who make America great." "None of us can do it all. But all of us can do something. And it might as well be the next needed thing." "The character you've been cultivating will be called upon, and when that moment comes, whenever it is, I hope you'll rise to it." "Hope is a choice that we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress."

Sharon narrates the audiobook and it sounds like she is just talking to you and telling you a story on IG or her podcast ("Here's Where It Gets Interesting"). I have to look at the print version to see if she is inserting into the audio version some of the funny things that she says. Also, there are plenty of inside jokes for long-time governerds (the "ho" is silent, for example.).

I am planning to read it again.

Remember that your little part matters

Read this book and let it help you remember that your small part matters. That history was changed and will be changed by ordinary people that most will never hear of.

Wonderful!!!!

Sharon, Thank you so much for a brilliant book!!! The history is hard to hear but the strength in the people you chose give us motivation to stand up for our own causes.

The most uplifting book you'll ever read!

Hearing this book read by Sharon herself made it even more magical than it already was. Hearing stories of people who never set out to be heros, but certainly are, made my tear up multiple times. I am amazed, encouraged, and absolutely blown away by the courage and tenacity of ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things. Knowing their stories will make each of us better, more compassionate people. Let us all be just, peaceful, good, and free.