For the first time, ten years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in the wake of a brutal crimeOn June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda … wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.
Now for the first time, in her memoir, MY STORY, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.
In the nine years after her rescue, Smart transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker. In 2012, she married Matthew Gilmour, whom she met doing mission work in Paris for her church, in a fairy tale wedding that made the cover of People magazine.
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Well written and fascinating
It was a little long winded in some areas but over a good book.
I always wondered what happened to Elizabeth Smart. This book shows she had a strong family and had a sense of self worth that can not be taken away.
I did not read all it because the book was only partially downloaded. I
Inked what I read.
Having been aware that this had happened and that Elizabeth Smart had returned, I was interested in hearing her story.
She has had help in describing her experiences enough that it easy to be sympathetic and to understand that what she has survived is not something you would want anyone to go through. I am only glad that she had her faith to …
First hand account of a scary kidnapping.
I hate having give a low rating to a memoir, especially a potentially soul-baring one about abuse, but wow, this was awful. I got the audio version on Overdrive, and truth be told, it was unbearable. I got through maybe 10% before I ripped the earbuds out and began trying to breathe normally. I usually chug books like this, never getting enough, …
The story was interesting but it was written in a very simplistic way.
Elizabeth Smart describes her kidnapping, abuse and return to her family in enough detail to make the experience real. Her unbelievable courage and acceptance by her family when she returns helps her regain her confidence. Her mother’s incredible wisdom provides advice we all should follow in dealing with negative experiences. Sharing her story …
I lived through her abduction.. I have no idea how she kept her sanity through all involved. An amazing read. I’m so glad Elizabeth has been such a survivor!
I am glad I read this book about Elizabeth Smart. It brought tears to my eyes at the terrible things this 14 year old innocent and beautiful young girl had to experience. It’s appalling the way these captors were in thinking what they were doing was alright. I know her family was going through hell while she was away from them. They are in the …
Horrifying to know what Elizabeth endured for 9 months but inspiring to know how she emerged and is a strong role model now for survivors.
Excellent book. Well worth reading. It’s amazing how Elizabeth maintains a positive attitude considering her harrowing experience.
An excellent job!! I remember being so interested in the whole story because I lived I lived in SLC at the time it took place!
Interesting book
Well written book about the authors horrible story of her abduction and time kept for 3 months, including her thoughts and encouragement to herself during her time of capture. A must read
Very grateful to Miss Smart for sharing her dreadful experience in her own words. This book was a wake up call in so many ways
Excellent
I was slightly disappointed that we were not told about her rescue and a little about her re-entering life
Well written. Author was incredibly insightful given her age at the time of what happened. She doesn’t get into gory details that don’t add to the story. Highly recommended