The Small and the Mighty Audiobook By Sharon McMahon cover art

The Small and the Mighty

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

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The Small and the Mighty

By: Sharon McMahon
Narrated by: Sharon McMahon
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About this listen

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
Civics & Citizenship United States Inspiring Heartfelt
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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

“This book won’t just enlighten and entertain you—it will leave you empowered by newfound confidence that you don’t need to be rich or famous to make a difference. The Small and the Mighty is a master class in making American history fascinating and fun.”―Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

What listeners say about The Small and the Mighty

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A history book for everyone—even those who think they don’t like history.

I have been reading books for 53 years. Never has one given me real goosebumps the way this one did. Sharon McMahon has a way of storytelling that I am imagine orators of times prior to the invention of the printing press would have praised as skillful and enthralling. In this book, she knits together pivotal points of history to help the reader connect the dots of time. With this book, Sharon has given long overdue recognition to 12 of America’s forgotten heroes. Maybe someday, hopefully not in 50 or 100 years but much, much sooner like some characters in this book, Sharon will also be lauded for her contributions to American history.

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What an amazing book and so great to listen to!

This book was so well done. I enjoyed every story and learned so much. I love that the author read it because she is such a great storyteller. I think every American should read or listen to this.

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absolutely LOVE

Sharon's point of view transcends politics to help us know that the biggest changes for good in our society were started by small, simple things. It's full of wonderful reminders of hope.

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SO IMPORTANT

This book is a great reminder that all people are capable of greatness. Sharon is inspiring and magical and wonderful.

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Such a captivating read!!

Sharon McMahon is a national treasure. Her story telling captivated me from the beginning. This book has inspired me and made me think that we can all do what we can, where we are, with the tools available to us. We can all be The Small & The Mighty.

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The best!

Seriously the best book ever. Hope, tears, laughter, it has it all. The added bonus is that you’ll walk away learning more about American history than you probably learned in high school.

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Loved this!

Sharon weaves stories of people and events in history in a captivating and humor filled way.

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GOVERNERDS UNITE

This is a book full of trials AND hope, of disappointments AND victories, of setbacks AND miracles, of the small AND the mighty.
If you love history, read it.
If you love an underdog, read it.
If you love a well-written book, read it.
If you love relatable narration, read it.
If you love HOPE, please read it.

If you love (someone, something, anything), read it.

You will love it.

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a Small bit Mighty book

America's favorite government teacher has done an exceptional job of finding and telling the stories we need to hear. Sharon Mcmahon found the perfect balance of stories that ignite interest in the past and hope for the future.

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Inspiring

Such a richly interwoven anthology of many individual stories. It made history feel alive and personal to me.

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