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The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Audiobook (2024), Nominee for Readers' Favorite History & Biography (2024)A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From America’s favorite government teacher, a heartfelt, inspiring 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.
From America’s favorite government teacher, a heartfelt, inspiring 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.
Audible Audio
First published September 24, 2024
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49.6k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,031 reviews
October 9, 2024
This will be an unpopular review because of the love for Sharon McMahon but I did not love this book.
I rarely buy books but since I’ve followed Sharon for 4 years and appreciate her work on her podcasts and Instagram, I thought I would support her and buy a copy. This book was disappointing for several reasons.
1. I am still unclear who the 12 unsung heroes are supposed to be. So many names were discussed and intertwined, it was hard to know who we were talking about.
2. Many of the stories were repeats from her podcast, but were done better on the podcast.
3. This book was all over the place. I read a lot, and a lot of it is non-fiction. I had to re-read several passages to even understand what was going on.
4. I wouldn’t call some of these people unknowns. Daniel Inouye has an airport named after him and Norman Mineta is a pretty famous cabinet member. Maybe I know more about history than the average reader does?
5. While Sharon interjecting her personal quips is fun in the podcast, it made this book feel unprofessional, and was distracting.
Maybe if I’d waited for my library copy I wouldn’t have been as disappointed?
I rarely buy books but since I’ve followed Sharon for 4 years and appreciate her work on her podcasts and Instagram, I thought I would support her and buy a copy. This book was disappointing for several reasons.
1. I am still unclear who the 12 unsung heroes are supposed to be. So many names were discussed and intertwined, it was hard to know who we were talking about.
2. Many of the stories were repeats from her podcast, but were done better on the podcast.
3. This book was all over the place. I read a lot, and a lot of it is non-fiction. I had to re-read several passages to even understand what was going on.
4. I wouldn’t call some of these people unknowns. Daniel Inouye has an airport named after him and Norman Mineta is a pretty famous cabinet member. Maybe I know more about history than the average reader does?
5. While Sharon interjecting her personal quips is fun in the podcast, it made this book feel unprofessional, and was distracting.
Maybe if I’d waited for my library copy I wouldn’t have been as disappointed?
August 28, 2024
✨I read well over a hundred books a year, and I can honestly say that this might be the best book I’ve ever read. Ever. In my almost 55 years as a lifelong reader. Do I have your attention?
✨It’s full of hope, truth, history, inspiration and expert-level storytelling, which is captivating, funny, informative and so very uplifting.
✨The author tells of unsung American heroes, everyday people, who found important work in their little corners of the world � and changed the course of American history. This is the story of men and women who forged ahead through adversity in a spirit of service and giving � never knowing the impact of their work and the legacy they would leave behind. They were willing to let other people watch them fail � and in so doing, they moved mountains.
✨I lost count of how many times I cried with my head in my hands, and these stories leave me inspired to keep doing the next needed thing right here in my little place in the world.
✨This book for anyone who longs for an America of dignity and benevolence. Every page orients the spirit toward hope, and I give it my highest recommendation.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Unlikely heroes
✨Underdog stories
✨Uplifting, inspiring lessons
✨American history
✨Stories of teachers and educators
✨Real-life accounts of suffragists and Civil Rights activists
🎧The narration by the author is fantastic, and I highly recommend this version of the book especially if you are familiar with her voice from her Instagram stories or her podcast.
Do not miss this one. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for everyone you know.
GOVERNERDS UNITE! (IYKYK)
✨It’s full of hope, truth, history, inspiration and expert-level storytelling, which is captivating, funny, informative and so very uplifting.
✨The author tells of unsung American heroes, everyday people, who found important work in their little corners of the world � and changed the course of American history. This is the story of men and women who forged ahead through adversity in a spirit of service and giving � never knowing the impact of their work and the legacy they would leave behind. They were willing to let other people watch them fail � and in so doing, they moved mountains.
✨I lost count of how many times I cried with my head in my hands, and these stories leave me inspired to keep doing the next needed thing right here in my little place in the world.
✨This book for anyone who longs for an America of dignity and benevolence. Every page orients the spirit toward hope, and I give it my highest recommendation.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Unlikely heroes
✨Underdog stories
✨Uplifting, inspiring lessons
✨American history
✨Stories of teachers and educators
✨Real-life accounts of suffragists and Civil Rights activists
🎧The narration by the author is fantastic, and I highly recommend this version of the book especially if you are familiar with her voice from her Instagram stories or her podcast.
Do not miss this one. Buy it for yourself. Buy it for everyone you know.
GOVERNERDS UNITE! (IYKYK)
December 30, 2024
I love Sharon McMahon. I’m a subscribed Governerd and fellow history teacher. And I wanted to love this book.
I just couldn’t.
I liked it. I guess. It bounces all over the place and substitutes for a conversation about historical stuff.
I liked the stories. But I didn’t cry. I don’t get emotional like so many other Governerds. I could barely get committed to finish. And I keep asking myself why.
The best reason I can come up with is my daughter-in-law’s assessment: This book is history for nonhistorians. It’s riddled with asides and modern references that do not add to the narrative and instead detract from it. It rarely finishes a train of thought and morphs stories in ways that appeal to the pathos of the reader but more than likely veer from historical fact with her interpretations of how people felt about their actions (historians usually try to avoid this). McMahon’s history intends not to inform but to move readers to political action. While this isn’t bad per se, it isn’t the reason I read history. I want to figure the facts out for myself. Draw my own conclusions. Choose my own takeaways. I don’t read it to be amused or preached to.
I know I’ll be in the minority of her followers (and probably of readers). Am I glad I read it? I think so.
I still love Sharon. I will still follow her and contribute to her causes. I just love her better on my phone screen and in my Instagram feed—not coming from the pages of a book.
I just couldn’t.
I liked it. I guess. It bounces all over the place and substitutes for a conversation about historical stuff.
I liked the stories. But I didn’t cry. I don’t get emotional like so many other Governerds. I could barely get committed to finish. And I keep asking myself why.
The best reason I can come up with is my daughter-in-law’s assessment: This book is history for nonhistorians. It’s riddled with asides and modern references that do not add to the narrative and instead detract from it. It rarely finishes a train of thought and morphs stories in ways that appeal to the pathos of the reader but more than likely veer from historical fact with her interpretations of how people felt about their actions (historians usually try to avoid this). McMahon’s history intends not to inform but to move readers to political action. While this isn’t bad per se, it isn’t the reason I read history. I want to figure the facts out for myself. Draw my own conclusions. Choose my own takeaways. I don’t read it to be amused or preached to.
I know I’ll be in the minority of her followers (and probably of readers). Am I glad I read it? I think so.
I still love Sharon. I will still follow her and contribute to her causes. I just love her better on my phone screen and in my Instagram feed—not coming from the pages of a book.
February 3, 2025
great focus, weak writing.
October 4, 2024
The stories were all super interesting and I learned a lot. The writing style left a lot to be desired - extremely casual at times - mid sentence. She also bounced around way too much - inserting story within a story within a story - sometimes difficult to follow and remember what she was originally talking about to begin with - I still read it quickly and would recommend it but it is definitely not the best book ever like some reviewers have felt.
September 27, 2024
I miss the Sharon of 2020 who was as non-biased as a person can be (because of course we all have a bias). This was an interesting book and easy to listen to…but I was turned off by it. As Sharon used to commonly state, facts don’t require your approval. And I loved facing that idea. But, as she has shifted to biased over the years, I have realized that just because Sharon calls it a fact, does not make it thus. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.
October 18, 2024
I’ll start by saying that as a long-time follower of “SharonSaysSo� on Instagram I fully expected this book to be well researched and full of historical detail. It was. I also expected it to be very well written. And it was and wasn’t. When I read a book of historical narrative, I expect an interesting narrative, and much of it was just that. But, at least in the audio version, Sharon keeps breaking the narrative with her “y’all’s� and commentary directly to the listener. I found that uncomfortable and disruptive to the story. I don’t need to be told how I should be reacting to something. I also don’t need to be told how the author is reacting to something except possibly in the Author’s Afterword. The story, if worth telling, should be able to stand on its own. I also found her narrative less than cohesive as it skipped from one person to another and then back to the first. It could have used better editing for these transitions, at the very least. So, while it was interesting and informative, The Small and the Mighty left me feeling like it tried too hard to make the impact that should have been intrinsic to the stories themselves.
October 19, 2024
I have debating sharing my view because I like Sharon, I like her instagram presence, she seems like a nice person. But I use ŷ and reviews to help me understand myself and the books I read better.
Pros:
I felt like Sharon was even handed in the way she portrayed historical figures. No one is perfect and I love that she showed this in her characterizations and stories.
I appreciated hearing about the “small and the mighty� historical figures who may have been overlooked in history.
Cons: (this is where she lost me. Honestly the first 3/4 of the book was a solid 1 star. However when she got to the last quarter I felt the writing and flow improved.)
The narrative has a lot of extraneous info that doesn’t muddied the narrative and made it hard to follow. For example the small bit about Walt Disney did not add to the story and felt like a tangent.
The way she attempted to weave stories together made it harder to follow.
The modern day references really distracted from the text and instead of making it more relatable felt out of place and for me discredited the text. For example when she talks about getting up in your grill, the friends/ross reference. And so early in the book the whale bone reference. The last one in particular almost made me not finish the book. Firstly: it felt immature. To mention it once was ok. But the repetition discredited the text for me.
Lastly, there was so much speculation on inner thoughts and speculative quotes that it made it hard to discern the line between history and fiction. I think this piece was hard for me because I was excited about the subject.
I think part of this may be attributed to the editing. It felt as if they wanted the book to capitalize on instagram fame. Also, it felt rushed to market. Lastly, the decision to not include pictures when she refers to pictures so often in the book left me feeling that what the publishing company wanted was money and not to explore the actual small and overlooked figures in history. Overall, this book was a great idea and a miss for me in execution.
Pros:
I felt like Sharon was even handed in the way she portrayed historical figures. No one is perfect and I love that she showed this in her characterizations and stories.
I appreciated hearing about the “small and the mighty� historical figures who may have been overlooked in history.
Cons: (this is where she lost me. Honestly the first 3/4 of the book was a solid 1 star. However when she got to the last quarter I felt the writing and flow improved.)
The narrative has a lot of extraneous info that doesn’t muddied the narrative and made it hard to follow. For example the small bit about Walt Disney did not add to the story and felt like a tangent.
The way she attempted to weave stories together made it harder to follow.
The modern day references really distracted from the text and instead of making it more relatable felt out of place and for me discredited the text. For example when she talks about getting up in your grill, the friends/ross reference. And so early in the book the whale bone reference. The last one in particular almost made me not finish the book. Firstly: it felt immature. To mention it once was ok. But the repetition discredited the text for me.
Lastly, there was so much speculation on inner thoughts and speculative quotes that it made it hard to discern the line between history and fiction. I think this piece was hard for me because I was excited about the subject.
I think part of this may be attributed to the editing. It felt as if they wanted the book to capitalize on instagram fame. Also, it felt rushed to market. Lastly, the decision to not include pictures when she refers to pictures so often in the book left me feeling that what the publishing company wanted was money and not to explore the actual small and overlooked figures in history. Overall, this book was a great idea and a miss for me in execution.
August 28, 2024
I, like many many people, have followed Sharon since 2020. I very much appreciate how she delivers trustworthy news. I appreciate her page and her work. However, I was a bit skeptical about how that translates into writing a book. Surely it would be informative, but would it be any good? And the answer is that yes it is!�
�
Non-fiction books can be a bit dry, this was not that! I was captivated by every single story/Unsung American she wrote about. So well researched, so well told. Educational, inspiring, entertaining. It’s definitely worth the read! �
�
🎧 HIGHLY recommend the audio! Sharon is such a storyteller! Her delivery is as personable as watching her on IG stories. Her little flares (like, “y’all�) and accent and way of telling these stories are perfect. �
�
Non-fiction books can be a bit dry, this was not that! I was captivated by every single story/Unsung American she wrote about. So well researched, so well told. Educational, inspiring, entertaining. It’s definitely worth the read! �
�
🎧 HIGHLY recommend the audio! Sharon is such a storyteller! Her delivery is as personable as watching her on IG stories. Her little flares (like, “y’all�) and accent and way of telling these stories are perfect. �
January 1, 2025
Holy Moly! I listened to on audiobook and it is off the charts incredible!! Sharon McMahon's narration is filled with intonation, whispers, shouts, and passion. I just learned the book was nominated for Best Audiobook for 2024. I fully understand why!
McMahon is a teacher, podcaster (400+ episodes), and Instagram influencer. She began her podcasts to help combat misinformation. She is known as America's Favorite Government Teacher. She makes history, politics, and government fascinating and insightful.
highlights twelve unsung heroes in American history. The stories range from Pearl Harbor to 9/11 and from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. The interconnectedness of people's experiences and how they personally shaped history is inspiring and jaw dropping. I cried many times throughout the journey.
Highly recommend!
McMahon is a teacher, podcaster (400+ episodes), and Instagram influencer. She began her podcasts to help combat misinformation. She is known as America's Favorite Government Teacher. She makes history, politics, and government fascinating and insightful.
highlights twelve unsung heroes in American history. The stories range from Pearl Harbor to 9/11 and from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. The interconnectedness of people's experiences and how they personally shaped history is inspiring and jaw dropping. I cried many times throughout the journey.
Highly recommend!
October 10, 2024
3 1/2 stars. Wish I could give more but I had some issues with the book. Because of all the solid 5 star reviews, I felt I had to add mine because I didn't feel this was a 5 star read.
I am part of the Governerds group so I am already accustomed to how Sharon presents information and thoroughly enjoy her deep dives. However, as a novel, her book was hard to follow. Within many of the chapters, there were jumps to new people and new stories that did end up connecting eventually but it made each chapter feel disjointed.
Also, the narrative jumped from 3rd person to 1st person, which messed up the flow of the book for me.
I also felt she extrapolated extensively. For example in Ch. 22,
"Get her off the bus", one person in the front might have called. "I have an appointment to get to."
This very well may have been said but there isn't a citation for it. I don't know if I could honestly classify this book as non-fiction because of all the author's interjections.
Despite my critiques, I'm glad to have read it and to learn about some unsung heroes. My favorite story was about Daniel Inouye. I would recommend to read.
I am part of the Governerds group so I am already accustomed to how Sharon presents information and thoroughly enjoy her deep dives. However, as a novel, her book was hard to follow. Within many of the chapters, there were jumps to new people and new stories that did end up connecting eventually but it made each chapter feel disjointed.
Also, the narrative jumped from 3rd person to 1st person, which messed up the flow of the book for me.
I also felt she extrapolated extensively. For example in Ch. 22,
"Get her off the bus", one person in the front might have called. "I have an appointment to get to."
This very well may have been said but there isn't a citation for it. I don't know if I could honestly classify this book as non-fiction because of all the author's interjections.
Despite my critiques, I'm glad to have read it and to learn about some unsung heroes. My favorite story was about Daniel Inouye. I would recommend to read.
Read
March 12, 2025Some of this was SO moving and some of it dragged a bit for me.
November 6, 2024
Sometimes timing is everything and magic. I had nothing to do with how my reading of this book timed to election week with a finish the day after Election Day. What I do have is a bossy big sister that told me to read this and pass it on. Always a little trepidatious about not following her directions immediately, I put it on the top of the stack and this is how it worked out.
That was exactly right for me.
“America at her best is just. She is peaceful. She is good. And she is free. And it is us, the small and the mighty, who make America great.�
“The answer is hope. Hope, which attorney and author Bryan Stevenson told me is not a feeling but an orientation of the spirit. Hope is a choice we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress.�
There is also the story of Cher Ami the homing pigeon used in WWI and you should google him because he is the best story ever. He didn’t give up against all odds. He is your true definition of the small and the mighty.
That was exactly right for me.
“America at her best is just. She is peaceful. She is good. And she is free. And it is us, the small and the mighty, who make America great.�
“The answer is hope. Hope, which attorney and author Bryan Stevenson told me is not a feeling but an orientation of the spirit. Hope is a choice we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress.�
There is also the story of Cher Ami the homing pigeon used in WWI and you should google him because he is the best story ever. He didn’t give up against all odds. He is your true definition of the small and the mighty.
October 16, 2024
I had really high hopes for this book. It was certainly not bad, but it definitely didn't meet expectations. There was a lot of meandering in the storytelling, as well as a lot of pop cultural references that really took me out of the moment.
I have no idea who exactly the twelve unsung Americans were and I feel like that really could have been more clear. Was one of them a pigeon? Probably not, but there was definitely some text presented from the pigeon's point of view. It bothered me some when the author spoke from the POV of the historical humans, as she was clearly taking some liberties, but the pigeon pushed me right over the edge.
I have no idea who exactly the twelve unsung Americans were and I feel like that really could have been more clear. Was one of them a pigeon? Probably not, but there was definitely some text presented from the pigeon's point of view. It bothered me some when the author spoke from the POV of the historical humans, as she was clearly taking some liberties, but the pigeon pushed me right over the edge.
September 24, 2024
Sharon writes like she's sitting in front of you having a conversation. Her storytelling abilities are unmatched. You can feel the love, work and time that went into this book and she deserves ALL of the accolades. As a long time governerd book club member, I can honestly say Sharon has outdone herself.
August 23, 2024
Thank you to @prhaudio for the advance ALC of this book.
A powerful book highlighting the true stories of heroes that you are probably unaware of in American history. Each of the stories was well researched and told with a powerful voice to highlight the goodness,work and sacrifice of the individual.
I plan to return to these stories soon while in the car driving with the kids. While these are historic stories, they are not dry. Some of the side characters you will have heard of, like Rosa Parks or Alexander Hamilton-but they are not the main event, there were people circled near them that did great things as well. Never a dry moment, there are aspects of humor regarding Ross from Friends, and dinosaur bones before anyone knew of THE dinosaurs!
Easy to read, easy to binge, it'll be easy to return to. With the individual stories one can pick up and put down with ease. I anticipate that this will be a huge hit upon publication.
A powerful book highlighting the true stories of heroes that you are probably unaware of in American history. Each of the stories was well researched and told with a powerful voice to highlight the goodness,work and sacrifice of the individual.
I plan to return to these stories soon while in the car driving with the kids. While these are historic stories, they are not dry. Some of the side characters you will have heard of, like Rosa Parks or Alexander Hamilton-but they are not the main event, there were people circled near them that did great things as well. Never a dry moment, there are aspects of humor regarding Ross from Friends, and dinosaur bones before anyone knew of THE dinosaurs!
Easy to read, easy to binge, it'll be easy to return to. With the individual stories one can pick up and put down with ease. I anticipate that this will be a huge hit upon publication.
August 30, 2024
Thank you PRH Audio for a complimentary ALC.
“These are the small and the mighty, and we can be too.�
“America’s favorite government teacher� has written an excellent book about the stories of twelve people I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard of. Many of them are just tangential from someone who history has recorded. All are worthy of getting to know. I listened to parts of the audiobook in the car with my kids and plan to listen to it with them on a road trip we have coming up.
The audiobook was narrated by the author and she did a fantastic job, which is not always the case for authors.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
Learning about the overlooked who helped make history
The Sharon Says So podcast
Narrative nonfiction
“These are the small and the mighty, and we can be too.�
“America’s favorite government teacher� has written an excellent book about the stories of twelve people I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard of. Many of them are just tangential from someone who history has recorded. All are worthy of getting to know. I listened to parts of the audiobook in the car with my kids and plan to listen to it with them on a road trip we have coming up.
The audiobook was narrated by the author and she did a fantastic job, which is not always the case for authors.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
Learning about the overlooked who helped make history
The Sharon Says So podcast
Narrative nonfiction
January 17, 2025
A read well worth the time spent learning of "unsung" Americans the author exuberantly provides as her examples of small and might service to the furtherance of the American nation and national causes. She recognizes those causes were/are in conflict with others and doesn't hesitate to so acknowledge, but goes on to discuss her main subjects:
Clara Brown; Virginia Randolph; Katherine Lee Bates; Inez Milholland; Rebecca Brown Mitchell; Anna Thomas Jeanes; Julius Rosenwald; Booker T. Washington; Daniel Inouye; Norman Mineta; Claudette Colvin; and Septima Clark.
Our BookBuddy discussion group was invigorated and lively as these all were considered. As I listened only to this read (no e-book or physical copy) my response to the author's narration was not a positive one. As soon as I realized this I should have found a copy to read instead of listen to and my experience would have been far less distracted. That said, the author's message is a great one, and worth the extra effort on engagement.
25|52:25
Clara Brown; Virginia Randolph; Katherine Lee Bates; Inez Milholland; Rebecca Brown Mitchell; Anna Thomas Jeanes; Julius Rosenwald; Booker T. Washington; Daniel Inouye; Norman Mineta; Claudette Colvin; and Septima Clark.
Our BookBuddy discussion group was invigorated and lively as these all were considered. As I listened only to this read (no e-book or physical copy) my response to the author's narration was not a positive one. As soon as I realized this I should have found a copy to read instead of listen to and my experience would have been far less distracted. That said, the author's message is a great one, and worth the extra effort on engagement.
25|52:25
November 12, 2024
Am I reading a different book than everyone else? I have followed Sharon Says So for a long time, and appreciate her work. I was excited to hear she had a book coming out! And…it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. It is disjointed and changes characters and perspectives every other paragraph. I didn’t even know what decade of history I was in half the time. There were tangents of tangents and mini history lessons on other people halfway through the chapter on “small and mighty� characters. I don’t know who the 12 small and mighty people are.
I will continue to follow Sharon Says So, and I would love to give another book of hers a try. But unfortunately this one missed the mark for me.
I will continue to follow Sharon Says So, and I would love to give another book of hers a try. But unfortunately this one missed the mark for me.
October 7, 2024
I like hearing Sharon’s voice in the text. It makes it a fun read. A few stories are repeats from her podcasts. I wish the whole podcasts were just put into book form. They were more detailed and clear. The tangents on tangents made it a little hard to follow at times. My biggest beef is the number 12. Who are the 12? There were so many people mentioned—I kept wondering if this or that person was one of the 12. I still don’t know. I really liked the way it wrapped up and the takeaway.
October 12, 2024
I like Sharon. I am a member of her book club, have followed her on Instagram for years, and I listen to her Podcast. She's a great story teller. But this book was hard to get through.
I found it difficult to keep track of who she was writing about when there were so many tangents. And some tangents had tangents. Shouldn't the editor of the book have suggested that some of these were superfluous and not adding to the flow of the book? It was very hard to follow at times.
I found it difficult to keep track of who she was writing about when there were so many tangents. And some tangents had tangents. Shouldn't the editor of the book have suggested that some of these were superfluous and not adding to the flow of the book? It was very hard to follow at times.
November 15, 2024
The Small and the Mighty
Never did I think a history book would bring me to tears or give me such hope. This book was an amazing journey through the history of our nation through the lens of unknown heroes. I cannot encourage you enough to give it a read. The audiobook is narrated by McMahon and she is such an amazing storyteller.
Introduction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clara Brown, The Angel of the Rockies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. The strength in this woman.
😭💔🥹˥️
Virginia Randolph
The Next Needed Thing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am in awe of this teacher but also enraged to see in print the reality that teachers have been taken advantage of for so long.
˥️😭💔😳😠
Katherine Lee Bates
America the Beautiful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎶he crowned thy good in brotherhood from sea to shining sea🎶
🥹˥️
Inez Milholland, Maria de Lopez, Rebecca Brown Mitchell, The Hello Girls.
Forward out of Darkness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These women were BADASSES.
💪🏼👯♀️👩č♥�
Anna Thomas Jeanes, William James Edwards, Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington.
An Orientation of the Spirit.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The trickle down effect of someone’s willingness to step out of their comfort zone for the greater good cannot be underestimated.
The Inouyes: Daniel Inouye, The Minetas: Norman Mineta.
Go for Broke
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. These men went through so much and even with all the hate they saw and experienced, they chose to fight for good. 😭♥️
Claudette Colvin, Septima Clark, Teenagers in the American South.
Momentum.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a lesson in how important education is, but also what a picture of the sacrifices people have made for so long to make sure everyone has the same access to this right.
🙏🏼😭˥️🥹
Conclusion
We are the small and the mighty
😭🥹🙏🏼˥️
Never did I think a history book would bring me to tears or give me such hope. This book was an amazing journey through the history of our nation through the lens of unknown heroes. I cannot encourage you enough to give it a read. The audiobook is narrated by McMahon and she is such an amazing storyteller.
Introduction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clara Brown, The Angel of the Rockies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. The strength in this woman.
😭💔🥹˥️
Virginia Randolph
The Next Needed Thing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am in awe of this teacher but also enraged to see in print the reality that teachers have been taken advantage of for so long.
˥️😭💔😳😠
Katherine Lee Bates
America the Beautiful
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎶he crowned thy good in brotherhood from sea to shining sea🎶
🥹˥️
Inez Milholland, Maria de Lopez, Rebecca Brown Mitchell, The Hello Girls.
Forward out of Darkness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These women were BADASSES.
💪🏼👯♀️👩č♥�
Anna Thomas Jeanes, William James Edwards, Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington.
An Orientation of the Spirit.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The trickle down effect of someone’s willingness to step out of their comfort zone for the greater good cannot be underestimated.
The Inouyes: Daniel Inouye, The Minetas: Norman Mineta.
Go for Broke
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. These men went through so much and even with all the hate they saw and experienced, they chose to fight for good. 😭♥️
Claudette Colvin, Septima Clark, Teenagers in the American South.
Momentum.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a lesson in how important education is, but also what a picture of the sacrifices people have made for so long to make sure everyone has the same access to this right.
🙏🏼😭˥️🥹
Conclusion
We are the small and the mighty
😭🥹🙏🏼˥️
October 22, 2024
This book is 5-stars for its stories and the heart and sincerity with which Sharon tells them. I LOVE the entire concept of celebrating the "small and mighty" people who've made such an impact and how Sharon inspires us readers to do the same. However, what takes it down a star for me is that I think this book could've benefitted from a little more editing to make it more like a *book* and not like an extended podcast. (I say this with all the love in my heart--I am a HUGE Sharon fan: a member of her Book Club since its inception, was her follower before we called ourselves Governerds, hardly ever miss a story of her on IG, my husband and I are going to her Book Tour in Minneapolis, I've listened to the majority of her podcast episodes, I may or may not have driven past her old house office when we were visiting Duluth.....I could go on.) I was just legitimately confused about who Sharon was talking about in some parts, because she often withheld a person's name to build up to a "big reveal" of his/her identity--but I just don't think that strategy works on the page as well as it works on audio. I had to re-read small sections more than once to finally understand the person to which Sharon was referring. I did listen to part of this book on audiobook and read the hardcover version for the rest, so maybe those who solely listen to this book won't be bothered by this.
I will say that this happened more in the first half of the book. The last few sections were DYNAMITE and had me in tears. There are SO many "small" heroes of history, and I love that I know more of them after reading this wonderful book.
I will say that this happened more in the first half of the book. The last few sections were DYNAMITE and had me in tears. There are SO many "small" heroes of history, and I love that I know more of them after reading this wonderful book.
October 13, 2024
I realize may be an unpopular opinion, but this book is vastly over-hyped, undoubtedly supported more by loyal podcast fans than content (as the book seems more like a syrupy podcast than serious history). At best this book is truly a mixed bag, an in the spirit of fairness, I’m rounding up a book that would normally be in the 2.5 range to a three.
First the positives: First the overall concept is good. An excellent idea to highlight people who lived extraordinary lives or made contributions to society but were otherwise overlooked by society and historians. It’s further clear that McMahon did some deep research into her subjects and that the details were fairly well presented despite some frequent unnecessary editorializing by the author. Finally I at least applaud the effort to bring a new style (podcast ish)to history that likewise engages some people who ordinarily would not bother to pick up a history book outside their academic careers.
Now to the negatives: First the authors unique style just doesn’t translate well to those who are naturally disposed to liking history. Her constant asides to her reader to add her own flavor to the events in the form of constantly cringeworthy attempts at humor remind me of relatives who desperately try to be funny, but ultimately just come off as extremely obnoxious. Additionally several of the authors profiles (Booker T. Washington, the late Senator Inouye and former Sec. of Transportation Norm Mineta are far from unsung heroes. Their stories have literally been sung for decades. Additionally, the author’s zigzag pattern of references make it hard to correctly track the person that she’s profiling.
These flaws are not helped by the audible version which the author narrated herself. The listener is thereby often exposed to the author’s extremely odd cadence full of all to frequent grating whispers and over-pronunciations of certain words.
In looking at this authors bio, she belongs to a progressive organization, and that ideology saturates this work complete with some snarky denigration of conservative values and leaders. I bring this up because I’ve seen others paise McMahon as nonpartisan and that certainly was not the case here in this book.
While I always applaud unique effort, I’m decidedly not a fan of McMahon. If she writes another book, I won’t read it and won’t be adding myself among her podcast followers.
First the positives: First the overall concept is good. An excellent idea to highlight people who lived extraordinary lives or made contributions to society but were otherwise overlooked by society and historians. It’s further clear that McMahon did some deep research into her subjects and that the details were fairly well presented despite some frequent unnecessary editorializing by the author. Finally I at least applaud the effort to bring a new style (podcast ish)to history that likewise engages some people who ordinarily would not bother to pick up a history book outside their academic careers.
Now to the negatives: First the authors unique style just doesn’t translate well to those who are naturally disposed to liking history. Her constant asides to her reader to add her own flavor to the events in the form of constantly cringeworthy attempts at humor remind me of relatives who desperately try to be funny, but ultimately just come off as extremely obnoxious. Additionally several of the authors profiles (Booker T. Washington, the late Senator Inouye and former Sec. of Transportation Norm Mineta are far from unsung heroes. Their stories have literally been sung for decades. Additionally, the author’s zigzag pattern of references make it hard to correctly track the person that she’s profiling.
These flaws are not helped by the audible version which the author narrated herself. The listener is thereby often exposed to the author’s extremely odd cadence full of all to frequent grating whispers and over-pronunciations of certain words.
In looking at this authors bio, she belongs to a progressive organization, and that ideology saturates this work complete with some snarky denigration of conservative values and leaders. I bring this up because I’ve seen others paise McMahon as nonpartisan and that certainly was not the case here in this book.
While I always applaud unique effort, I’m decidedly not a fan of McMahon. If she writes another book, I won’t read it and won’t be adding myself among her podcast followers.
October 2, 2024
“I’d want you to know that despite all the things Gouverneur Morris got wrong—like the unfortunate whalebone� there was something he got very, very right. America at her best is just. She is peaceful. She is good. And she is free. And it is us, the small and the mighty, who make America great.
Not again, but always.
I’d want you to know that there will come a moment in your life, a moment when you will be asked to choose; will I retreat, or will I move forward with courage? You’ll realize, just like people in the pages if this book, that every experience you’ve had, every setback and heartbreak, every triumph and joy, will all be used. The character that you’ve been cultivating will be called upon, and when that moment comes, whenever it is, I hope you’ll rise to it.� -pg 281
Apparently I’m in an excellent reading streak, because all these 5 stars reviews I’m cranking out lately�..but man! I listened to the audio of The Small and the Mighty, read by the author, and was captivated. I cried. And I laughed. And I cried. And I’ll think about it for a good long while. Because actually this book pairs so well with Collective Illusions by Todd Rose AND with Animal Farm, both of which I have read this month. It’s funny how that happens, the common thread or train of thought that you bring to seemingly unrelated books that connects the ideas in your mind so strongly. I love that about reading.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book (I’ll probably come back and add more later):
“The word compromise today is a bad word. People think of it as a weakness, rather than a strength to get something done.�
“Hope is a choice we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress.�
“You know the measure of a person is how much they develop in their life,� she said. “Some people slow down in their growth when they become adults. But you never know when a person’s going to leap forward or change around completely—I’ve seen growth like most people don’t think possible. I can even work with my enemies because I know from experience that they might have a change of heart any minute.�
Not again, but always.
I’d want you to know that there will come a moment in your life, a moment when you will be asked to choose; will I retreat, or will I move forward with courage? You’ll realize, just like people in the pages if this book, that every experience you’ve had, every setback and heartbreak, every triumph and joy, will all be used. The character that you’ve been cultivating will be called upon, and when that moment comes, whenever it is, I hope you’ll rise to it.� -pg 281
Apparently I’m in an excellent reading streak, because all these 5 stars reviews I’m cranking out lately�..but man! I listened to the audio of The Small and the Mighty, read by the author, and was captivated. I cried. And I laughed. And I cried. And I’ll think about it for a good long while. Because actually this book pairs so well with Collective Illusions by Todd Rose AND with Animal Farm, both of which I have read this month. It’s funny how that happens, the common thread or train of thought that you bring to seemingly unrelated books that connects the ideas in your mind so strongly. I love that about reading.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book (I’ll probably come back and add more later):
“The word compromise today is a bad word. People think of it as a weakness, rather than a strength to get something done.�
“Hope is a choice we make each morning, and we do not have the luxury of hopelessness if we want to see progress.�
“You know the measure of a person is how much they develop in their life,� she said. “Some people slow down in their growth when they become adults. But you never know when a person’s going to leap forward or change around completely—I’ve seen growth like most people don’t think possible. I can even work with my enemies because I know from experience that they might have a change of heart any minute.�
December 5, 2024
The Small and the Mighty is an important celebration of courageous iconic American figures, and lesser known heroes, whom pushed boundaries to make needed change in our government, towns and schools.
Told through the ages of American history, from its founding to the Civil Rights Movement, this features twelve men and women who through adversity, trials and tribulations, fought for injustice and freedom. Sharon McMahon lets it be known that being a great American has true meaning; -it’s using courage to fight for what you believe in. Alexander Hamilton did just that. It also includes Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin standing up against oppression for the Black right to freedom and adversity. Septima Clark and Virginia Randolph fought as they knew that education is liberation and an educated population is difficult to oppress. This also includes tellings of other unsung American heroes who; -improved the condition of others, knew the power of consensus building and what an apology can do, and more.
The audio is also narrated by McMahon, and is told in a way that is easy to listen to due to her incredibly interesting tellings of dedication, hard work, including showing the percussions faced like being ostracized by others, and jailed. A must read. Excellent. 🎧 5 stars � Pub. 9/24/24
Told through the ages of American history, from its founding to the Civil Rights Movement, this features twelve men and women who through adversity, trials and tribulations, fought for injustice and freedom. Sharon McMahon lets it be known that being a great American has true meaning; -it’s using courage to fight for what you believe in. Alexander Hamilton did just that. It also includes Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin standing up against oppression for the Black right to freedom and adversity. Septima Clark and Virginia Randolph fought as they knew that education is liberation and an educated population is difficult to oppress. This also includes tellings of other unsung American heroes who; -improved the condition of others, knew the power of consensus building and what an apology can do, and more.
The audio is also narrated by McMahon, and is told in a way that is easy to listen to due to her incredibly interesting tellings of dedication, hard work, including showing the percussions faced like being ostracized by others, and jailed. A must read. Excellent. 🎧 5 stars � Pub. 9/24/24
September 30, 2024
Truly inspiring. I knew about most of these Americans, but a few of them were new to me. And McMahon tells all of their stories in such a lovely way, sharing fresh details and showing how much even “small� people can do to change the world around them.
I am not a crier, and I cried 3 separate times. Like *sobbed* over the kitchen sink while doing dishes and listening. McMahon is just a wonderful storyteller.
And, ultimately, it gives me a lot of hope for the future, if more people would sacrifice like these people did!
I am not a crier, and I cried 3 separate times. Like *sobbed* over the kitchen sink while doing dishes and listening. McMahon is just a wonderful storyteller.
And, ultimately, it gives me a lot of hope for the future, if more people would sacrifice like these people did!
November 12, 2024
Really Enjoyed Listening to this Audio Book. The Author does a great job reading the stories of People We have Not Heard of who Really Changed the United States. Finding this so Fascinating and Can Listen to 3 or 4 Stories Each Night. It is honest about our history, but told in such a compelling way, that I find it joyful listening to. Inspiring, and Especially Good as an Audio Book.
November 3, 2024
Everyone needs to read this book. It's so illuminating as it shows us the lives and work of those who changed our nation even thought we don't learn about them in school, or they're only briefly mentioned.
March 3, 2025
I feel like this should be required reading for all Americans. Such an uplifting message about how small changes can lead to big impacts.
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