One Way Back

A Memoir

By: Christine Blasey Ford

Narrated by: Christine Blasey Ford

This program is read by the author and includes clips from her testimony, a Trump rally, C-SPAN, CNN, and ABC News.

The compelling true story behind the testimony that awed the nation

On September 27, 2018, Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee which was considering the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. She described an alleged sexual assault by the Supreme Court nominee that took place at a high school party in the 1980s. Her words and courage on that day provided some of the most credible and unforgettable testimony our country has ever witnessed.  

In One Way Back, Ford recounts the months she spent trying to get information into the right hands without exposing herself and her family to dangerous backlash. Drawing parallels to her life as a surfer, she explains the process of paddling out into unknown waters despite the risks and fears, knowing there is only one way back to shore. The book reveals riveting new details about the leadup to her testimony and its overwhelming aftermath and describes how she continues to navigate her way out of the storm.

This is the real story behind the headlines and the soundbites, a complex, page-turning memoir of a scientist, a surfer, a mother, a patriot and an unlikely whistleblower. Ford’s experience shows that when one person steps forward to speak truth to power, she adds to a collective whole, causing "a ripple that might one day become a wave.”

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Critic reviews

<p><b>Praise for Christine Blasey Ford</b><br><br>"By the time the hearing ended, Ford had done more than prove herself a credible witness. For millions of women and men, she had replaced Kavanaugh as the protagonist in the nomination narrative." —<i><b>TIME<br></b></i><br><i>"</i>[Ford] showed what American politics might look like if Americans truly saw the people our society usually silences and grinds underfoot.” —<b><i>The Atlantic</i></b><br><br>“I was engrossed [at her testimony]….what I heard in Ford’s voice and choice of words was a commitment to tell the truth.” <i>—</i><b>Anita Hill<br></b><br>"I applaud the courage of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford to come forward to share her story." —<b>Nancy Pelosi</b><br><br>"It was striking to see someone questioned before the Senate that actually answered questions."—<b>Jimmy Kimmel</b><br><br>"[Ford] is an amazing and a true patriot." —<b>America Ferrera</b></p>

Vulnerable and Honest!

Christine did such a great job in this book. Articulating how she felt with full vulnerability and honesty. I know all of this must’ve been so incredibly hard on her and I love the fact that she wrote this book with all the good the bad and the ugly tied to it. I wish her well in the future and thank her for everything she did and has done for women, victims, and just humanity. We all deserve better.

Must read!

I am so grateful for this book! I'm sorry that being brave and doing the right thing cost you so much. This book will no doubt offer the support that so many women are in need of, including me. Thank you for telling your story.

Strength in the author

What a great book. Christine has gone through some extremely tough moments! She should be proud for standing up. It is very inspiring!

Insightful account

Beautifully told, many insights and lessons, many things that need changing in protecting victims stepping forward! (Ever heard of a smear campaign on victims of theft or robbery? Me neither. Targeting a victim going forward should be illegal / cause for another law suit in itself)

hero of the #MeToo movement tells her full life story

This is the real story behind the headlines and the soundbites, a complex, page-turning memoir of a scientist, a surfer, a mother, a patriot and an unlikely whistleblower.

Thank you, Dr Ford!

I felt enormous gratitude for Dr Ford as I listened to this and gained further context around this collectively tragic chapter in so many women’s & survivors lives. She’s an unlikely and ambivalent American and feminist hero, but a hero is unequivocally what she is! The personal cost to coming forward - to her, her family, her friends, her colleagues, and her students - has been profound and unjust. I hope she knows what an extraordinary gift she gave us - in coming forward and in writing this book. I love the humanizing personal details like: she’s a passionate surfer, a lover of misfits, a bit of a misfit herself, that she dyes her hair blue, and that her favorite bands are Metallica and Pearl Jam! She’s wonderfully human and reluctantly brave.

Finally the truth is told

This is an important book. I appreciate having the author tell her side of the story.

Wow!

I am finishing up a book for women about using the power of negotiation to create a more peaceful and sustainable planet. 4 years ago, when I was starting this project, I was hesitant to use the word “patriarchal world culture” which features prominently in the book. I kind of laugh, now, reading Christine’s unbelievable account of it. Whoever these people are, Christian nationalists, the federalist society, white patriarchy, oligarchic dominators, I hope we can love them into submission or something like that. I’m so sorry, Christine, that you had to go through what you did. I deeply thank you for your courage and voice. It has emboldened and clarified mine.

A true patriot

I want to thank you for exposing this man’s true nature. I’m sorry the crooked republicans did not do a proper investigation. You are my hero! He may have been appointed when he should not have but this allegation will always hang over his head. We ALL know he did it! I’m a survivor and I’ve never been able to tell anyone. I so admire you!

Raw honesty

Bravery and resilience. Amazing. What Dr. Ford has had to endure is unimaginable. She is a true patriot.