Lessons from the Edge

A Memoir

By: Marie Yovanovitch

Narrated by: Marie Yovanovitch

Length: 17 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

An inspiring and urgent memoir by the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine—a pioneering diplomat who spent her career advancing democracy in the post-Soviet world, and who electrified the nation by speaking truth to power during the first impeachment of President Trump.

By the time she became US Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch had seen her share of corruption, instability, and tragedy in developing countries. But it came as a shock when, in early 2019, she was recalled from her post after a smear campaign by President Trump’s personal attorney and his associates—men operating outside of normal governmental channels, and apparently motivated by personal gain. Her courageous participation in the subsequent impeachment inquiry earned Yovanovitch the nation’s respect, and her dignified response to the president’s attacks won our hearts. She has reclaimed her own narrative, first with her lauded congressional testimony, and now with this memoir.

A child of parents who survived Soviet and Nazi terror, Yovanovitch’s life and work have taught her the preciousness of democracy as well as the dangers of corruption. Lessons from the Edge follows the arc of her career as she develops into the person we came to know during the impeachment proceedings.

“A brilliant, engaging, and inspiring memoir from one of America’s wisest and most courageous diplomats—essential reading for current policymakers, aspiring public servants, and anyone who cares about America’s role in the world.”—Madeleine K. Albright

“At turns moving and gripping and always inspiring … a powerful testament to a uniquely American life well-lived and a remarkable career of dedicated public service at the highest levels of government.”—Fiona Hill, New York Times best-selling author of There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century

©2021 Marie Yovanovitch (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Brave telling - common yet extraordinary story

Brave. Heroic. Every woman should read... so they know they are not alone.
Makes us proud of the Foreign service and without pomp drives home the devastating behavior of the prior administration that jeopardized us as a nation and jeopardized the Brave people of other nations .... yes even we in the US can fall under a thug regime.

But so remarkable was also the story of a woman just doing her best and believing in integrity and the greater good for herself and as a duty we should all inherently share. And so beautiful that it was so clear that she unremittingly believed in that for all nations.

Rising above the systemic and systematic subterfuge that women in any kind of authority or whose intelligence and ability poses a threat frequently experience.. it is hopeful.. against the worst odds (an orchestration by the oval offce).. this book is an American's friend, an international citizen's friend and a friend to any woman with an awful lot to give but continually facing terribly hard times.

Don't stray from integrity, don't stray from your deepest hopes for humanity.

Thank you for this book. 🌿

Excellent

Loved it Very well written and interesting from start to finish I really enjoyed her presentation.

Gripping and personal

I loved that the author read her own account of how American diplomacy remains a force for good in the world. While appointees often goer a disproportionate share of the spotlight, it is professions like her that do the real work. Her story is proof we should build up our State Dept and our outreach to the world.

inspiring and educational.

I have learned more about the function and value of foreign services members and gained a new appreciation for the value of excellent ambassadors.

Wow

Amazing first hand account of behind the scenes look into global politics over the last 40 years. A story of strength and courage under the most profound pressure to give up. Marie Yovanovitch is a true American Hero. Thank you for standing so strong.

Excellent memoir from a truly amazing woman.

This amazing memoir details an amazing patriot and truly admirable foreign service officer. Marie Yavanovitch' demonstrates how honorable public service is when people of principle and integrity serve. Marie Yavanovitch is a hero!

Truly an exceptional woman!

Already a fan of Marie from her testimony, but her book gave me so much more information about her work and family.
She is a remarkable woman, handling her missions with intelligence and bravery.
As an introvert myself, I highly recommend her book. Yes, you can read the book yourself, but listening to it felt like she was in the room telling me her story.

Amazing story

Im appalled at what Trump, Giuliani and Pompeo did to her!. These men belong in prison, never in any leadership positions!

Informative and engaging

Should be made into a limited TV series.Her story needs to be shared widely.

Inspiring, and truth-seeking.

It portrays vividly the ups and downs of a life in the foreign service with all its tribulations. The book is easy to follow and riveting in its consequences.