Lessons from the Edge

A Memoir

De: Marie Yovanovitch

Narrado por: Marie Yovanovitch

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

An inspiring and urgent memoir by the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine—a pioneering diplomat who spent her career advancing democracy in the post-Soviet world, and who electrified the nation by speaking truth to power during the first impeachment of President Trump.

By the time she became US Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch had seen her share of corruption, instability, and tragedy in developing countries. But it came as a shock when, in early 2019, she was recalled from her post after a smear campaign by President Trump’s personal attorney and his associates—men operating outside of normal governmental channels, and apparently motivated by personal gain. Her courageous participation in the subsequent impeachment inquiry earned Yovanovitch the nation’s respect, and her dignified response to the president’s attacks won our hearts. She has reclaimed her own narrative, first with her lauded congressional testimony, and now with this memoir.

A child of parents who survived Soviet and Nazi terror, Yovanovitch’s life and work have taught her the preciousness of democracy as well as the dangers of corruption. Lessons from the Edge follows the arc of her career as she develops into the person we came to know during the impeachment proceedings.

“A brilliant, engaging, and inspiring memoir from one of America’s wisest and most courageous diplomats—essential reading for current policymakers, aspiring public servants, and anyone who cares about America’s role in the world.”—Madeleine K. Albright

“At turns moving and gripping and always inspiring … a powerful testament to a uniquely American life well-lived and a remarkable career of dedicated public service at the highest levels of government.”—Fiona Hill, New York Times best-selling author of There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century

©2021 Marie Yovanovitch (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent

Riveting telling of current events. Clear telling of personal experience within a misogynistic US bureaucracy.

WAY BETTER THAN EXPECTED

I am learning so much from this book, from leadership, to history to politics - and I am not even done yet. I am still in Chapter 8. Also, it is written and read in such language and style that I feel an affinity with the author. She is definitely one of few bigger-than-life personalities that I would like to meet in person. I pray I will have the privilege of meeting her one day.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Very American point of view, however, which is understandable given the author's work. If you are anti-American, I can almost hear what you have to say. But if you keep an open mind, there are a lot of diamonds in this "field", open for the taking.

PS. This book gave me that warm feelng I get every time I chance upon a good book.

Fascinating Journey

Inspired by the author’s commitment to service and steadfast values. A very interesting and important read. Highly recommend!

Essential reading from an American hero

Lessons From The Edge is essential reading, or listening, for every voter, person in politics, government, law, and especially for our high school and college government and history students. Marie Yovanovitch has critically important and timely lessons for every person in this nation.

I chose to listen to this book on my long weekly car rides because I was in the midst of reading two other books and I knew Lessons From The Edge would provide me with background and inside information to the current war and the Jan 6 investigation into the Trump corruption. As an extra bonus to the writing of this book is the fact that Marie Yovanovitch narrates her book and does a superb job. I plan on buying a hard bound copy for my library as it deserves a spot front and center.

A Very Interesting View of the State Department

I thought this was an interesting view of what the State Department is like. The chapters about the former Soviet Republics and their transition to a more democratic and less communist form of government I was especially interested in. The countries have a long ways to go but placed in context it is not hard to see why. This book helps provide the context. I listened to this book three or four weeks after the Russia invasion of Ukraine. It was interesting to listen to the book and read news about the same place currently. The book is about actions that have real world consequences unfolding right now.
Ms. Yovanovitch can be very idealistic, but she is a realist and knows how things are.

Timely, informative, compelling, patriotic & heartfelt memoir

Marie Yovanovitch in her testimony before Congress during Trumps first impeachment hearing, presented herself to the country as a courageous, professional state department employee who had been slandered by the former president & his corrupt minions. In her engaging & compelling memoir she describes her professional experience, which reads like a thriller.

Her family’s history is also a remarkable, immigrant story. Ms. Yovanovitch’s story made me proud of our state department & the people who work in it. Her insights into Russia, Ukraine, US diplomacy & the current world order make for essential reading(listening).

Got Diplomatic relations questions?

I very much appreciated Marie’s candor tracing her path serving our country in the diplomatic service. I have a new appreciation for diplomacy and all the behind the scenes hard work being done. The chilling account of her abrupt removal from Ukraine and the evidence behind it is excessively sobering. In light of the Trump administration’s use of Russian style disinformation, gaslighting, etc.

Wonderful book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was wonderfully written and beautifully narrated. Miss Ivanovićh does A wonderful job. I learned a lot and found it extremely interesting I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Ukraine

The history lesson we all need.

A truly fascinating book. The world is a better place because of Maria’s courage, especially during the impeachment trial.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.

So timely and useful

Such a timely and helpful book to provide context for the recent Russian invasion. Gives useful history & information about how we got to this point.