Madame President

By: Helene Cooper

Narrated by: Marlene Cooper Vasilic

BEST BOOKS of 2017 SELECTION by * THE WASHINGTON POST * NEW YORK POST *

The harrowing, but triumphant story of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, leader of the Liberian women’s movement, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the first democratically elected female president in African history.

When Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the 2005 Liberian presidential election, she demolished a barrier few thought possible, obliterating centuries of patriarchal rule to become the first female elected head of state in Africa’s history. Madame President is the inspiring, often heartbreaking story of Sirleaf’s evolution from an ordinary Liberian mother of four boys to international banking executive, from a victim of domestic violence to a political icon, from a post-war president to a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Helene Cooper deftly weaves Sirleaf’s personal story into the larger narrative of the coming of age of Liberian women. The highs and lows of Sirleaf’s life are filled with indelible images; from imprisonment in a jail cell for standing up to Liberia’s military government to addressing the United States Congress, from reeling under the onslaught of the Ebola pandemic to signing a deal with Hillary Clinton when she was still Secretary of State that enshrined American support for Liberia’s future.

Sirleaf’s personality shines throughout this riveting biography. Ultimately, Madame President is the story of Liberia’s greatest daughter, and the universal lessons we can all learn from this “Oracle” of African women.

Amazing❤️❤️💕💕

I loved it and I want to say thank you for putting it on Audio🙏❤️

Amazing book.

Very interesting history of politics in Liberia. Well written but not for the faint of heart. I could not finish it because of the horrific brutality. If you can work your way through this it is definitely an interesting worthwhile read.

An autobiography not a critical analysis

When I first started listening to the book, I was quite disappointed in how uncritical it is of the woman who became Mme President. It felt like propaganda. As I kept listening, I just adopted the attitude that the book was really just an autobiography--Mme President was clearly the primary source and it feels as if the book was written to get her approval. With this mindset, the book was far more interesting. It is not a critical look at the rise of this person but her story.

The reading was done by a Liberian which greatly added to the story.

A must read!

This is an excellent biography in regards to the author, the audible performance and Madame President herself!
The Liberian culture, history, politics, the resiliency of women ..... too many points to list - just read this book. You're welcome.

Helene Cooper's Madame President

Yay!!!! Madame President is done!!! My conclusion: This book was specifically to tell the Ellen Story-her struggle, successes and failures. Completely told through the eyes of herself and people who knew her best. It doesn't have a single objective or critical voice if that's what you're looking for. It serves the purpose of a story for Ellen and of Ellen. But overall it's a very good read.