To Stop a Warlord

My Story of Justice, Grace, and the Fight for Peace

By: Shannon Sedgwick Davis

Narrated by: Shannon Sedgwick Davis, Kevin R. Free

One woman’s inspiring true story of an unlikely alliance to stop the atrocities of a warlord, proving that there is no limit to what we can do, even in the face of unspeakable injustice and impossible odds.

“This compelling and inspiring book beautifully moves each of us to take action to help the most vulnerable among us.” (Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu)

Late one night in the summer of 2010, Shannon Sedgwick Davis, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and Texas mom to two young boys, first met a Ugandan general to discuss an unconventional plan to stop Joseph Kony, a murderous warlord who’d terrorized communities in four countries across Central and East Africa.

For 25 years, Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army had killed more than 100,000 people, displaced millions, and abducted tens of thousands of children, forcing them to become child soldiers. After Sedgwick Davis met with survivors and community leaders, aid workers and lawmakers, it was clear that the current international systems were failing to protect the most vulnerable. Guided by the strength of her beliefs and convictions, Sedgwick Davis knew she had to help other parents to have the same right she had - to go to sleep each night knowing that their children were safe.

But Sedgwick Davis had no road map for how to stop a violent armed group. She would soon step far outside the bounds of traditional philanthropy and activism and partner her human rights organization, the Bridgeway Foundation, with a South African private military contractor and a specialized unit within the Ugandan army. The experience would bring her to question everything she had previously believed about her role as a humanitarian, about the meaning of justice, and about the very nature of good and evil.

In To Stop a Warlord, Shannon Sedgwick Davis tells the story, for the first time, of the unprecedented collaboration she helped build with the aim of finally ending Joseph Kony’s war - and the unforgettable journey on an unexpected path to peace. A powerful memoir that comes across like a thriller, this is a story that asks us just how hard we would fight for what we believe in.

One hundred percent of the author’s net proceeds from this book will go to organizations seeking justice and protection for civilians in conflict zones.

©2019 Shannon Sedgwick Davis (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In this remarkable book, Shannon Sedgwick Davis proves what can be achieved when you have the courage and determination to end suffering. Her story reminds us that we have more in common than we suspect, and more power than we believe.” (President Jimmy Carter)

“How far would you go to stop a murderous Ugandan warlord who had turned thousands of children into soldiers? As the head of a human rights foundation, Shannon Sedgwick Davis did something unprecedented: She hired private military contractors to train an army to stop him. This is an extraordinary memoir by an extraordinary leader - it’s impossible to read without feeling moved to do more to help those with less.” (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take)

“I’d always admired Shannon Sedgwick Davis’s deep compassion, relentless determination, motherly protective instinct, and steadfast courage. And then I read To Stop a Warlord, a beautifully written memoir, and smiled knowing that her story will inspire so many more to follow in her footsteps.” (Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver, TOMS)

Riveting

I had a hard time putting this book down. The story of Joseph Kony and the LRA's atrocities is sickening, but to follow along as Sedgwick Davis methodically and persistently orchestrates an attack from the inside is an inspiring story of good versus (pure) evil. The ending is surprising and unsatisfying and in many ways shocking, at first, but at the end of the day, their mission was accomplished, so their efforts should be seen as triumphant. Proud to have read To Stop a Warlord.

When beauty took down the beast

Shannon Sedgwick Davis is a real life superhero. She saw children in need, and she did something about it. And not write a check something... she gathered her people and went to Uganda and really DID something. Her story is full of grace, compassion, and love for people she had never even met. It was equally heart wrenching and heart warming, and full of true courage.

Unbelievable, thrilling, beautiful, and so incredibly inspiring!

This story is so incredible it’s almost unbelievable, yet told with such humility and grace. Shannon is a real life superhero, and listening to her (and David’s) story isn’t just inspiring— it’s motivating! We can all do what we’re called to, no matter the scale or scope, and this book is a manual for action. I listened to this book in one sitting!

Incredible and eye opening

This story is absolutely astonishing. Every part of the story left me in awe, while also wanting to hear more. It’s terrifying and sad, but also hopeful and life-changing. A great read. Highly recommend.

Moving Dynamic Story about Good

I read about 4-5 books a month between audible and my Kindle. I could hardly put this book down. I listened to it on my commute home and as soon as I had my kids to bed I was reading or listening to it again. This is one of the books that allows the reader to step into how amazing people are making a difference in this world. I really wish stories like this were more often apart of what is reported in the news. It is a hard book to listen to/read at times but we all need to hear it.

Moved my heart

The power of a change agent leader who cares needs to be scaled - so many problems but they found a solution - communication to families - can this reach the hearts of our youth to help their local communities?

excellently written and performed

it's hard to believe that a story about hunting a warlord in Africa could be so engaging. the determination to end the violence against families in a Faraway country against so many odds was just riveting

Engrossing and inspiring

This is a story of how determination and grit, combined with humanity and grace, can lead to amazing results. I was inspired by the book and really enjoyed the humanity that is woven throughout this engaging account of an extraordinary woman's mission to capture Joseph Kony.

Unexpected Partnership Stops Global Atrosities

This book deals with the unimaginable horrors brought on by warlord, Joseph Cony. It is a difficult read at times, but certainly something we all need to be aware of. The fact that a few people and organizations created an alliance and partnerships to work toward a common goal should remind us all that we can all step up and make a difference - whether in our neighborhood or across the globe. A riveting story that I would definitely recommend.

Life-changing Story

I don’t know exactly to what extent this book has changed my life. I hope more than less but it has. This is extraordinary and must read and pondered and acted upon.