Unbowed

A Memoir

By: Wangari Maathai

Narrated by: Chinasa Ogbuagu

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Wangari Maathai has been fighting for environmental responsibility and democracy in her native Kenya for over 35 years. Unbowed recounts the incredible journey that culminated in her appointment to Parliament in 2002.

Despite repeated jailings, beatings, and other obstacles along the way, Maathai created the Green Belt Movement and never relented in her goal to bring democracy to Kenya.

©2006 Wangari Muta Maathai (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Wangari Maathai's memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written - a gripping account of modern Africa's trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause." (Bill Clinton)

YES!

Dr. WMM offers an inspiring model for action and a refreshing dose of leadership and dignity for these times. In Unbowed, she presents a lucid articulation of the connection between environmental issues and everything else: politics, economics, gender, race, age, cultured, nationality, and ethnicity. This book will be on my syllabus!

UNBOWED

I Loved the whole book. I would highly recommend this book to all. It teaches one how to persevere your entire life. If you have a true passion you will persevere, no matter what. This book should be a best seller. It inspired me to not be complacent with my gifts and passion.

Very entertaining

As a kenyan enthusiastic reader of kenyan writers, please consider narrators from kenya.Some kikuyu words were not correctly read.

Great audiobook

This is such an informative book. It includes srories about Kenya's history prior to and during European colonialism in Kenya.

The life and mind of an African heroine

What did you love best about Unbowed?

In this book, Wangari Maathai tells her story in broad strokes and stands still at the things that she finds beautiful, memorable, or important to impress upon her readers.

She comes across as quite a task-driven creature and she clearly set out to tell her story, not write a work of literary genius. It is her perspective and her remarkable way of drawing connections between her personal story and matters of importance to Kenya and Africa as a whole, that is so memorable.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are many moments in this story that will stay with me for a long time. Without giving too many spoilers, she is particularly good at painting the rural landscape in which she grew up, including the people that populated that landscape, and giving you a renewed appreciation for the trees that Africans have cared for for generations.

Any additional comments?

The reader reads very slowly and clearly, so it is easy to follow. The narration felt a tiny bit mechanistic at times, but this does not significantly detract from the experience.

This book is well worth it. It will in equal parts educate you, inspire you and urge you to live with conviction.

Incredible and inspiring story

It starts off a little slow but as Wangari grows so does her adventure, challenges and resilience. I couldn’t put it down in the second half and am so thankful I learned more about Kenya, Africa, colonialism, and Wangari.

Inspiring

My heros have always been fictional. The things that they embody were alive in Wangari. Today, my hero is nonfictional.

Narrator dint impress

The narrator is from west Africa and mis pronounced all the Kenyan dialect names. Felt awkward and irritated 🙃 at the same time. On the other hand, content was great. Took me back to my roots and also educated me alot on pre-colonial life in Kenya.

Fascinating story

I read this in preparation to visit Kenya this summer. It was fascinating to learn so much about Kenyan culture and history. The authors style is very understated which is amplified by the narrators style. My husband couldn’t handle the somewhat monotone delivery though I didn’t mind as much. I did find that it would lull me to sleep sometimes.

Regardless, Wangari’s blend of her own life, Kenyan history, and culture was really fun and educational.

Great Listen for Earth Day

Beautifully narrated story. Gives one insight into the politics of Kenya and the power of a single person to affect change