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

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2024 Sharon McMahon (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“With shimmering research, an observant eye, and a bright moral compass, Sharon McMahon leads us through the thickets of the past until we can see where we came from and where we are going.”―David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of The Wager and Killers of the Flower Moon

“Sharon McMahon is a national treasure and a one-woman cavalry for truth, saving our republic one loving and clear-eyed lesson at a time. She and this book are a gift to our country.”—Isabel Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns

“This book won’t just enlighten and entertain you—it will leave you empowered by newfound confidence that you don’t need to be rich or famous to make a difference. The Small and the Mighty is a master class in making American history fascinating and fun.”―Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

Like sitting with the greatest storyteller

Sharon McMahon’s narration of The Small and the Mighty gives a new level of understanding to this book. If you read the print version, do not miss hearing her read it to you as well. It’s like sitting at the kitchen table over a cup of coffee with a great storyteller, one who wants you to know and understand each historical character, their motivation, and the outcome of their life, and how it changed everything. Sharon talks about each of them as if they are old friends, and she wants you to meet them too. Her genuine warmth towards each of these small yet mighty world changers is evident, as she steers your own heart towards loving their spirits and accomplishments and understanding how life in the USA would be very different, were it not for these brave and persistent individuals. This is a fantastic work of literary genius, made even better by the author’s own narration of her work. Bravo, Sharon!

Simply Beautiful

If you told me 4 years ago, I’d be purposely reading a history book for leisure, I wouldn’t have believed you. But honestly and truly, this book is more than just history. Each person highlighted is written like a beautiful biography with a purpose. I’ll be buying as holiday gifts for basically everyone I know!

Inspiring!

Incredible stories told in such a beautiful way. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to be uplifted.

Engaging, uplifting, inspiring

All the things. This book is all the things. I love it so much. Sharon’s narration is just as good as her writing. Sharon is a national treasure and her title of America’s Government Teacher is well deserved. I will share this book with everyone I know.

Everyone should read this book!!!

What a beautiful book full of inspirational people and their stories!! I was moved to tears several times. I think this is a must read for everyone.

WORTH THE READ

Sharon always tells an amazing story and she always manages to make you feel like you’re listening to a friend! Love it!

So uplifting and informative

What an incredible, informative, and enjoyable listen! Sharon has an wonderful way with words and history. I sincerely hope she writes more books in the future! And if you’re not already, follow her on instagram @sharonsaysso for more of her wonderful content!

Progress over Perfection

Amazing collection of stories. Each one told in a way that will make you alternately laugh and cry, but most make you think. Each story makes you think or rethink about history and stories that are familiar but that were missing these integral pieces. Reinforces the importance of examining our history from many angles and being willing to be comfortable with discomfort. As Sharon says, two things can be true. US history is the story of pursuing liberty and justice while sometimes being neither. But more than anything this book gives you hope. Hope that we will continue to try and live up to the sentiments in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Hope that by doing what we can, where we are, will make a difference. And that the small and mighty will continue to change not just history, but the future for the better.

Should be required reading for everyone 😅

Loved learning about ordinary Americans I’d never heard of and their contributions to history that they couldn’t have known.

Moving True Stories

This was a very moving series of true stories. I appreciated the detail and the humor of this book. I think it’s a very timely book.