A Renaissance of Our Own

A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining

By: Rachel E. Cargle

Narrated by: Rachel E. Cargle

From a highly lauded modern voice in feminism and racial justice comes a deeply personal and insightful testament to the power of reimagining to dismantle the frameworks and systems that no longer serve us while building new ones that do.

“Powerful . . . You will leave these pages changed for the better.”—Gabrielle Union, New York Times bestselling author of We’re Going to Need More Wine

There are breaking points in all our lives when we realize that the way things have been done before just don’t work for us anymore, be it the way we approach our relationships, our belief systems, our work, our education, even our rest. For activist, philanthropist, and CEO Rachel E. Cargle, reimagining—the act of creating in our minds that which does not exist but that we believe can and should—has been a lifelong process. Reimagining served as the most powerful catalyst for Cargle’s personal transformation from a small-town Christian wife to an incisive queer feminist voice of a generation.

In A Renaissance of Our Own, we witness the sometimes painful but always inspiring breaking points in Cargle’s life that fostered a truer identity. These defining moments offer a blueprint for how we must all use our imagination—the space that sees beyond limits—to live in alignment with our highest values and to craft a world independent of oppressive structures, both personal and societal. Cargle now invites you to acknowledge ways of being that stem from societal expectations instead of your personal truth, and to embark on a renaissance of your own. She provides the very tools and prompts that she used to unearth her own truth, tools that opened her up to being a more authentic feminist and purpose-driven matriarchal leader.

A Renaissance of Our Own gives us the courage to look at the world and say “I want something different.” It serves as a reminder of the power and possibility of reimagining a life that feels right, all the way down to the marrow of your bones.

©2023 Rachel Elizabeth Cargle (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Dazzling—a loving, bold tale of imagination, bravery, and radical action in the face of injustice . . . Through an account of Cargle’s own complicated life journey, she provides a framework for our own acts of courage as brutality threatens to strip us of humanity.”—Elle

“I loved and admired this book as much as I have always loved and admired its author. Rachel Cargle is that rare sort of phoenix who rises from the ashes of her life not only reborn on the personal level but also fully ready to change the world. A Renaissance of Our Own is an elegant, thoughtful, vulnerable, and inspiring memoir. May this book land in a million hands, all over the world.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic

“Magical. Shape-shifting. Cargle recounts how she spun silk out of the threadbare yarns of patriarchy and white supremacy while reminding readers that such alchemy is possible for them, too. Such wonder is inevitable if we give ourselves permission to reimagine our existence and re-create ourselves in our own divine image.”—Sonya Renee Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of The Body Is Not an Apology

Life Changing

Such a beautiful read. As a Black woman going through her own renaissance, I feel refreshed, and ready to reimagine my life.

Revolutionary Brilliance

Rachel’s story and evolution is amazing and inspiring - as a fellow autodidactic, I appreciate Rachel’s passion, curiosity and innovation. I hope to learn and make a difference to the never-ending battle of white supremacy.

I love it!

Inspiring. Encouraging. Just what I needed. Her voice is soothing and the story is relatable.

Black woman clarity. I have no notes.

This memoir-manifesto almost read like my personal journal. I identified so closely to Rachel's story, I found myself saying 'amen' repeatedly as she read her own words in this audiobook.

Are you a black woman craving a way to clearly navigate your own life design amidst the racially aggressive backdrop that is middle class America?

Are you tired of how the conditioning all around us has affected your relationships, your self definition, your faith, your education and your career ideals?

Multi-passionate?

Need 'a word' from a smart sister that can give you soothing clarity to everything we feel everyday?

This book is truth. Her story will give your heart and mind a place to rest, because her voice is ours.

In other words...I loved it.

Inspirational

So many relevant points would render this "tldr"
I was touched and impressed by the fact that at the age of 67 Dr. Cooper obtained her Phd during a time of slavery and lived til 105. Gives one a different perspective.

Beautiful

I enjoyed this book so much that it became the November pick for my book club. There were several relatable topics and takeaways that I’ve started taken action on to further my understanding on subjects I’ve overlooked as a woman. I’m lucky to get to listen to this book a second time!

This book is a gift

Rachel shares concrete examples from her own life to show it's possible to create success within your own values. With bold choices, we can create lives that deeply satisfy us and lift others up. It's hopeful and clarifying, and her narration is smooth and flawless.

Fantastic

Rachel Cargle has left an impression! What a book that helps us prioritize ourselves, our missions. Listening to her story and how we can incorporate rest, activism and peace on our journey to fulfill our dreams makes this book a winner. I highly recommend this book.

Breakthrough with EASE

Come alive through Rachel’s words.

This book is a gift to all people.

This book is a true awakening of spirit and a reminder it all starts inside.

Thank you Rachel. This book is love, healing, radical, kind, brutal, advanced, accessible, beautiful and transcendent.

Inspiration for what’s possible

What a wonderful read. I feel like this book was the blueprint of practical and personally tools that I can apply to my own life to not only in vision but also creat my own Renaissance.