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.

Conflicted

Sharon McMahon is amazing. As a governerd I have absolutely enjoyed her Instagram and in depth explanation of all things government. She is unbiased, concise, and fair when it comes to politics. Here's why I'm conflicted.

I was so eager to listen to this book. And the stories are worth hearing. But as the author and narrator of this Audible, I struggled to listen. She tries to make an impact with her voice and it was ultimately too distracting for me to continue. This is not a criticism of her work as her book is thoroughly researched and put together in a way the reader or listener can follow along. This is a critique of the way it was read which (for me) had me turning the Audible off. I look forward to reading the physical book.

Masterpiece

Lived up to all the hype. An instant classic. I’ve already recommended it to family, coworkers, fellow readers and non-readers alike. Walk, don’t run, to know this country we love better and to be inspired to action. America at her best is just, peaceful, good, and free. WE make America her best and McMahon reminds us of that. (Book is great but the audiobook read by the author is superior!)

Good stories, but hard to follow

I absolutely love Sharon, and these stories are so important to share. I am very glad. I listened to this, but I often found it very hard to follow. I also have a physical copy of the book and tried reading some of that as well. It did not make it less confusing. The author jumps around a lot and mentions so many people that it is impossible to keep them all straight.

A National Treasure

If you are on the fence about hearing Sharon read you this story, don’t be.

This is the book we all need, written by the only person who could have given it to us. Sharon McMahon is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs. She has single-handedly taken me from feeling shame over America and our current political landscape, to instead feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in my country and her people.

As she says, “And it is us, the small and the mighty, who make America great. Not again, but always.”

Informative, Moving and Riveting

I have been trying to not listen in one day to Sharon's amazing storytelling. I wanted to process the information and take time to really think of each hero. There is so much knowledge I learned with such beauty in each untold story. We can all do something- not everything- but something to make America a better place.... Really, to make the world a better place. And this book shares about those who did what they could, with the resources they have, to change the course of our country and world. Do yourself a favor and read this book.