The Small and the Mighty

Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement

By: Sharon McMahon

Narrated by: Sharon McMahon

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From America’s favorite government teacher, a “fascinating and fun” (Adam Grant) portrait of twelve ordinary Americans whose courage formed the character of our country.

In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history’s unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time.

You’ll meet a woman astride a white horse riding down Pennsylvania Ave, a young boy detained at a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter, a poet on a train, and a teacher who learns to work with her enemies. More than one thing is bombed, and multiple people surprisingly become rich. Some rich with money, and some wealthy with things that matter more.

This is a book about what really made America – and Americans – great. McMahon’s cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free.

©2024 Sharon McMahon (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“With shimmering research, an observant eye, and a bright moral compass, Sharon McMahon leads us through the thickets of the past until we can see where we came from and where we are going.”―David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of The Wager and Killers of the Flower Moon

“Sharon McMahon is a national treasure and a one-woman cavalry for truth, saving our republic one loving and clear-eyed lesson at a time. She and this book are a gift to our country.”—Isabel Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns

America needs this book and Sharon!

So many of these stories are interwoven, both with other people featured in the pages, as well as the more well-known tales of American history. But these stories illustrate how; none of the most famous stories could be possibly without the multitude of unsung heroes who helped bring them to fruition. Many hands make light work, and the perseverance of the the small and mighty hands brings about meaningful and lasting change! Thank you, Sharon for writing this book, for whale videos, for all the inside jokes, and for building this rag-tag community known as the Governerds. It has all meant more to me than you can ever possibly fathom!

inspiring!

loved this book. Sharon is an amazing storyteller and inspires me. The stories in The Small & The Mighty inspire me.

Full of hope and wisdom

This will be one of my favorite books for the rest of my life. I delayed finish which it because it was so good and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this book. Full of hope and wisdom, this is a book I hope every human will read. The author had me giggling, in tears, and inspired and moved to do ‘the next needed thing’.

My 14yr old struggles to sustain attention and she is completely gripped by this book. She is loving the stories and seeing parts of herself within the characters shared. My hope is that these characters and the stories of their lives will be a guiding light for her as she becomes an adult.

Fantastic

This book is inspiring, and interesting. It made me laugh and cry and think. The author reads this and she is a delight to listen to.

so grateful for Sharon and her research

This was such a wonderful listen. I loved getting to learn more about our country's history and the incredible people who didn't go down in our history books (though they should have!!). The performance got a little kiddish and annoying at times; however I do love her way of storytelling and the occasional sarcasm. Overall, this was a wonderful book and certainly met expectations.

It was a great read

I loved learning about the difference good people can and did make . I would love it if she wrote another one, about those after the 1950’s.

We are who we are waiting for

History is so often written about those who made monumental contributions and sweeping changes. Sharon helps us realize that real change can also be made by the smallest of us. I, for one, will keep calling out false information when I see it, challenging racist/sexist ideas when I hear them, wearing my chosen candidate’s t-shirt, working the election polls or doing whatever is the next needed thing. I will strive to be a beacon of kindness, acceptance and truth. I am a Governerd.

Sharon brings us along a journey of the unknown hero’s we all needed to know

Sharon McMahon's "The Small and the Mighty" is a captivating exploration of the unsung heroes of American history, brought to life through her engaging and dynamic narration. From the very first chapter, listeners are drawn into the rich tapestry of stories that highlight the extraordinary lives of ordinary people—those who didn't make it into the history books but whose contributions are just as significant.

McMahon's storytelling is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her voice carries the emotion and depth of each character's journey, making it easy to visualize the woman on horseback riding down Pennsylvania Avenue or the young boy facing the harsh realities of a Japanese incarceration camp. Each narrative is meticulously researched, providing not only historical context but also a profound sense of empathy for these remarkable individuals.

What stands out in this audiobook is how McMahon weaves together diverse stories—each with its own struggles and triumphs—into a cohesive narrative that feels both personal and universal. The teacher learning to work with her enemies and the formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter are just a couple of examples of how the book showcases resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

Listeners will find themselves not only entertained but also inspired as they meet these improbable champions. McMahon's cast of characters becomes familiar friends, guiding us through the complexities of what truly makes America great. The stories resonate deeply, reminding us of the importance of justice, peace, and the relentless pursuit of a better world.

In conclusion, "The Small and the Mighty" is a must-listen for anyone interested in history, storytelling, or the human spirit. Sharon McMahon's engaging narration elevates the already powerful content, making this audiobook an enriching experience that lingers long after the last chapter. Highly recommended!

Stunning

As an established fan of Sharon’s, I can confirm that this book is stunning. You can hear the emotion in her voice as she reads. And it makes you even more captivated by her stories. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Beautiful, inspiring, heartwarming, and heartbreaking

Amazing, absolutely amazing. A must read. Sharon presents history fairly and explains situations thoroughly while always keeping it interesting.
I'm simultaneously heartbroken at the injustices that have occurred and continue to impact our country, and also so inspired by the beauty of these stories.