Triumph

Life after the Cult - a Survivor's Lessons

By: Carolyn Jessop, Laura Palmer

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

A moving and inspirational true story of one woman’s life after fleeing the ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect featured in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey—from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape

“Triumph is thoughtful, intelligent, and engaging.”—Meg Wolitzer, bestselling author of The Interestings

In 2003, Carolyn Jessop, a lifelong member of the extremist Mormon sect the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), gathered up her eight children, including her profoundly disabled four-year-old son, and escaped in the middle of the night to freedom. After detailing the shocking conditions of FLDS and her harrowing flight in her memoir, Escape, Carolyn reveled in her newfound identity as a bestselling author, a devoted mom, and a loving companion to the wonderful man in her life. She thought she had put her past firmly behind her.

Then, on April 3, 2008, it came roaring back when the state of Texas, acting on a tip from a young girl who’d called a hotline alleging abuse, staged a surprise raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch, a sprawling, 1700-acre compound near Eldorado, Texas, where the jailed FLDS “prophet” Warren Jeffs had relocated his sect’s most “worthy” members three years earlier. The ranch was being run by Merril Jessop, Carolyn’s ex-husband and one of the cult’s most powerful leaders. As a mesmerized nation watched the crisis unfold, Carolyn was called upon as an expert to help authorities understand the customs and beliefs of the extremist religious sect.

In Triumph, Carolyn tells the real, harrowing story behind the raid and sets the record straight on much of the damaging misinformation that flooded the media in its aftermath. She recounts the setbacks and the successes, all while weaving in details of her own life in the years since her escape—including her budding role as a social critic and her struggle to make peace with her eldest daughter’s heartbreaking decision to return to the cult.

An extraordinary woman who has overcome countless challenges and tragedies in her life, Carolyn shows us in this book how she has triumphed in spite of everything—and how you can, too, no matter what adversity you face.

©2010 Carolyn Jessop (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Thoughtful, intelligent, and engaging."—Meg Wolitzer, bestselling author of The Ten-Year Nap

"Carolyn Jessop once again courageously speaks out and exposes the FLDS facade for the criminal operation it is. A brave, compelling and wise book."—Sam Brower, lead investigator of the FLDS

Great buy, I could not stop listening.

AMAZING!!!! Her story is inspiring, this audio book is very well written and the voice is perfect. You wont't regret buying this book. I love her story and how strong she is.

RalphyNovotney says: This woman is truly AMAZING!

She (Carolyn Jessop) and her family deserves EVERY good thing she has coming her way!!!

It wouldn't even surprise me that oneday, she'll be graduating from Harvard University and lecturing there.

'Great job on this psrt of the story and the narration (by Ann Marie Lee) was simply impeccable!!!

RalphyNovotney
The BrokeBlackGuru

Good

I liked Escape better. Though the story and message of Triumph in this book are great it felt a bit jumbled to me. Overall I enjoyed it.

Essential sequel to Escape

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would greatly recommend this book to a friend who is interested in FLDS life or is leaving an abusive relationship.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Triumph?

The meeting between Carolyn and Betty

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The details of the raid at the YFZ ranch and Carolyn's reaction to it was quite moving

Any additional comments?

This book is a fitting follow-up to Escape. It adds in a few details that are not present in Escape, such as the things that made Carolyn strong enough and observant enough toleave when she did. Occasionally, Carolyn gets on her soap box (her position on schooling in particular) and emphasizes her specialness a little too much, but these are minor quibbles in a good book.

Ann Marie Lee is an incredible choice of narrator for this book, as she was for Escape. She depicts particular emotions with a light touch.

I would recommend reading this work only after reading Escape. It does stand on its own, but to understand the full impact of what Carolyn went through in the FLDS, Escape is the more comprehensive book.

Fantastic

A great follow up to Escape. It's inspiring, heart-wrenching, and heart warming all wrapped into one. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Great narration and I'm glad they used the same person.

A favorite!

Such an important work on how to overcome mind control and liberate one's mind. Absolutely riveting read.

So good. I thought I had heard all things FLDS. Nope. More in this book.

I have read (or listened to) almost every FLDS book I can find. I read escape years ago. Carolyn Jessop, along with every other person, that has escaped from a cult, is so amazing and brave. I actually heard several things in this book that were new to me and that was very exciting. This is a great book and don’t think that if you’ve read escape, this is a repeat. So much in here about the YFZ raid along with what her family went through “after” their escape. It is so good!

Intriguing

After listening to Carolyn’s first book, I was so glad to hear there was a second! The way it was written, it seems as though even if the first one was not read you could still understand her life before. Her first book, ESCAPE, had more of the details and definitely worth reading but if you accidentally started this one first you will be fine. I very much connected to her words near the end about Betty and cling to her idea of love and keeping that door open. My son has married a woman who has cut his side of the family out of everything making us seem like the enemy. He’s basically in a narcissist relationship. So I will just keep my front porch light on for him one day if he realizes he needs a place to go. I keep lines on communication open although minimal. I do hope you write another book! 🌻 Looking forward to the growth of all the kids… and hearing about Betty.

great followup for "escape"

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was great to find out what happened after the events of "Escape". It also provides a lot of info about the raid on the YFZ ranch. Carolyn is a brave, brave woman. Some reviewers have said that Carolyn gets up on her soapbox too often, or is too preachy, but I don't find that to be the case. Or, if she is, I must just agree with everything she believes in because I found myself nodding my head right along with everything she had to say. This woman lived in an abusive relationship for years, and found the strength to escape, and now she's proof that sometimes there are happy endings after all.
Good for you, Carolyn. Good for you.

Book two to Escape

So very happy Carolyn wrote another book. Mostly new content and even more exposure of the terrible abuse and awful cult practices. It’s gratifying to know Carolyn found true love and getting the update on her family was so good. Well worth the read !