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

From America’s favorite government teacher, a heartfelt, inspiring 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

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.

Interesting stories of great people lots to history... until now!

Sharon Macmahon has a great writing style which provides just the right amount of dates and facts but told as stories. The Book will hold your attention and load your brain with lots of mind blowing or at least tingling facts. I expected a gear book and so far I am not disappointed.

a Small bit Mighty book

America's favorite government teacher has done an exceptional job of finding and telling the stories we need to hear. Sharon Mcmahon found the perfect balance of stories that ignite interest in the past and hope for the future.

Such a captivating read!!

Sharon McMahon is a national treasure. Her story telling captivated me from the beginning. This book has inspired me and made me think that we can all do what we can, where we are, with the tools available to us. We can all be The Small & The Mighty.

wow

Wow. I am so glad I got to listen to this book. Sharon is an amazing storyteller and listening to these stories of the small and mighty people that didn't make it into my history lessons is absolutely inspiring. This is the book that I want to recommend to every friend and family member, and can't wait to let my kids read it when they are old enough. These incredible stories showcase that we don't need to do everything, just the next right thing. 10/10 do recommend reading. I am typically a fantasy novel reader and dont typically love history books, but Sharon writes in a way that keeps you wanting to know more and shocked that you didn't know it going in.

Better than expected, and I knew it would be great!

Loved every minute! I have a very hard time reading nonfiction but this read as beautiful “small” stories woven together into a beautiful “mighty” view of what we can all do when we gather our courage to do the next right thing. Can’t wait to read it with my family! Thank you as always, Sharon!

Masterpiece

Lived up to all the hype. An instant classic. I’ve already recommended it to family, coworkers, fellow readers and non-readers alike. Walk, don’t run, to know this country we love better and to be inspired to action. America at her best is just, peaceful, good, and free. WE make America her best and McMahon reminds us of that. (Book is great but the audiobook read by the author is superior!)

Wonderful!!!!

Sharon, Thank you so much for a brilliant book!!! The history is hard to hear but the strength in the people you chose give us motivation to stand up for our own causes.

The most uplifting book you'll ever read!

Hearing this book read by Sharon herself made it even more magical than it already was. Hearing stories of people who never set out to be heros, but certainly are, made my tear up multiple times. I am amazed, encouraged, and absolutely blown away by the courage and tenacity of ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things. Knowing their stories will make each of us better, more compassionate people. Let us all be just, peaceful, good, and free.

Captivating

Learning about all of the small and mighty people in American history was enlightening. Having Sharon read it made it even better.