Mighty Be Our Powers

How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War; a Memoir

By: Leymah Gbowee, Carol Mithers

Narrated by: Kimberly Scott

As a young woman growing up in Africa, 17-year-old Leymah Gbowee was crushed by a savage war when violence reached her native Monrovia, depriving her of the education she yearned for and claiming the lives of relatives and friends. As war continued to ravage Liberia, Gbowee’s bitterness turned to rage-fueled action as she realized that women bear the greatest burden in prolonged conflicts. Passionate and charismatic, Gbowee was instrumental in galvanizing hundreds, if not thousands, of women in Liberia in 2002 to force a peace in the region after 14 years of war. She began organizing Christian and Muslim women to demonstrate together, founding Liberian Mass Action for Peace, launching protests and even a sex strike.

p>Gbowee’s memoir, Mighty Be Their Powers, chronicles the unthinkable violence she’s faced throughout her life and the peace she has helped broker by empowering hundreds of her countrywomen and others around the world to take action and takes listeners along on her continuing journey as she harnesses the power of women to bring her country peace, saves herself, and changes history.

©2011 Leymah Gbowee (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Leymah bore witness to the worst of humanity and helped bring Liberia out of the dark. Her memoir is a captivating narrative that will stand in history as testament to the power of women, faith, and the spirit of our great country.” (Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia)

Incredible book!

I completed this book within 24 hours of starting it. I feel personally connected to Leymah and the stories she so vulnerably shared, I cried through the last few chapters, the pain and the triumph are inspiring. I am grateful also for the education on something I’m ashamed to admit I knew nothing about.

Strange How Little We Know of the World

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

This is a must read. No matter how educated we are as part of the free world, we do not fully understand our world. Human beings are capable of some horrible things but this book is a great example of the good in those who have the courage to change their destiny and that of a nation. This happened and how funny we do not have any idea it even happened.

What other book might you compare Mighty Be Our Powers to and why?

This is a book all its own. You can't compare one woman's tale to another because there are so many similarities but vast differences as exemplified by Leyma Gbowee's story.

Which character – as performed by Kimberly Scott – was your favorite?

Leyma Gbowee, though I've heard Leyman's actual voice. I liked that Ms Scott didn't fake a Liberian accent.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

A great moment to self evaluate after reading this.

Inspiring

An amazing account of a country's struggle to find peace. I was moved by the strength of Leymah and the women of Liberia. Their voices are one of peace, one of healing and reconciliation. I only hope I can be as courageous as these women are!

Brilliant - couldn't stop listening

LOVED it. An incredible story of faith, family and sisterhood. Very inspirational. I laughed and I cried. Also loved learning so much about Liberia. Can't recommend enough

Resilience and determination

This woman overcame so much. This book was absolutely gripping I couldn’t stop listening till the end. Good luck to her

What Perseverance & Bravery

What an incredible story of survival and triumph! Only women can come together for peace. Men just jockey for power and money regardless of the pain and suffering of hundreds of thousands of their fellow humans.

Great story

I loved this book ,was wonderfully narrated I felt like I went through the war with her!! Such a great humanitarian piece as well , women need to be in more leadership positions because we are naturally good at making better decisions for the good of the group than men!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story and journey to find you perfect place to help your country Liberia!

Heartbreaking, but powerful.

Another memoir that would be an excellent requirement for highschool reading. Very informative. Have tissues nearby.

Not for casual listening

This book is for any individual who believes in having a greater purpose. It's about a woman who grew into herself by making a mighty impact in her world.

great read

not a book I would normally read and there were parts that were hard to read (just very sad). still worth reading so much information about world events and womens struggle that was before unknown to myself. 10/10 would recommend