My Story

By: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart

Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart

For the first time, 10 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 crime.

On June 5, 2002, 14-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 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.

©2013 Elizabeth Smart (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

touching and inspirational

I wanted to feel sorry for Ms. Smart as I listened to her tell her story but I is clear she needs no pity. She is a strong young woman with an good support system and an incredible mother.

good book

narrator was vary good and I loved this book and how the author actually read the book and not the computer

Absolutely inspiring story of the human spirit

Elizabeth is a perfect role model to follow in choosing always to take the high road and to live life with a positive approach!

the sum is better than the parts

What made the experience of listening to My Story the most enjoyable?

The story is pretty incredible, and listening to it from the woman who lived it was amazing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Story?

The incident at the library, the two girls that didn't get kidnapped, the reunion with her family.

What aspect of Elizabeth Smart’s performance would you have changed?

Smart is neither actor nor entertainer, so her performance is unpolished at times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I really did, and hated every time I had to stop.

Any additional comments?

The phrasing in the book is awkward at times, and the performance is unpolished, but despite these drawbacks, the listening experience was great.

Great book.

very inspiring autobiography of someone who has risen above horrible experiences and found a way to move forward.

absolutely courage

loved it for her story of courageous journey thru HELL to find her way home.. I was in TEARS

Amazing story and an amazing woman

I'm so thankful and blessed to have been able to listen to her story. Elizabeth has so much Grace . Thank your for sharing your story.

Wow...

This is truly amazing. How Elizabeth can not only tell her story but to go on with live as she does. True hero. This book was chilling at times especially listening to her read it. Very good book.

Fantastic!!!

I finshed this in 2 days! I couldn't stop listening!! You need to listen to it!

Strength of Family

Impressive story of resilience, strength, and survival. Living in Utah at the time all this occurred I was fully engaged in the events as they played out. Elizabeth's descriptions of her capture & captivity are riveting, but even more so is how she managed to hold on to the core of her being and reclaim her life on the other side.