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My Story cover art

My Story

By: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart
Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
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Summary

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

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What listeners say about My Story

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Outstanding and moving

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

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys true accounts and stories of real survival.

What other book might you compare My Story to, and why?

A Stolen Life, Jaycee Lee Dugard
3096 Days, Natascha Kampusch
I Choose to Live, Sabine Dardenne
Similar powerful accounts of kidnap survival

Any additional comments?

Elizabeth wrote and read her own story, her own account of the ordeal she suffered as a kidnapped child. The way she dealt with each horrific day is remarkable, but the most incredible thing, is how she moves forward after she has been rescued. It is a story of real survival and people could learn a lot from her attitude about how to get past this and live the rest of her life. I am humbled that she chose to tell her story and I am delighted that she did.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Dreadful Narration

This is a fine story but ruined by a very irritating narration. It is read in a tone something akin to really bad acting. Had it been read by someone else I probably would have enjoyed it more.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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inspiring

Elizabeth Smarts story is so inspiring, her bravery and resolve to surviving no matter what is amazing.

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  • Overall
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Brave young lady

Such courage shown in the face of evil. The power to be positive is a power above all

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Goosebumps

To hear Elizabeth’s own story in her own voice gave me goosebumps throughout. Amazing book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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such an amazing and brave young lady

emotional and interesting read, a terrible ordeal but I'm glad Elizabeth is doing well now

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Inspiring

Elizabeth is a very inspiring woman and I will live a happier life after reading this. I only gave 4 stars as I felt she repeated herself too many times and I wanted to know more about the near rescues from the rescuers point of view, but I guess it’s her story..

I’m an atheist but I actually found her beliefs beautiful and can see how they help her a lot.

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Beautiful and inspiring

Thank you Elizabeth Smart for sharing your story, it has inspired me to be more grateful as if you can see the good in situations after what you've been through, none of us should take our blessings for granted.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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heart breakingley empowering

A truly powerful testimony of pain, suffering and the true grace and love of God

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Such a positive, inspiring young lady

Would you listen to My Story again? Why?

Yes, I would listen again when I need to be reminded about how lucky I am.

What did you like best about this story?

It made me so positive. I did research Elizabeth Smart before I listened to the book as I was not sure if I would be able to cope with the horror of what she went through but really wanted to hear her story. Elizabeth does not go into graphic detail but does tell the story exactly as it happened. She discusses religion a lot and her faith, her strong faith got her through and although I am not at all religious I can't fault any of the principles that she follows in her life. She is a beautiful person. I was worried I may be left depressed after listening but I was left feeling positive, grateful for my own circumstances and moving forward I will think twice before moaning or feeling sorry for myself ever again! I am so happy that Elizabeth has such a wonderful family, husband and future ahead of her. She deserves every happiness in the world.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Smart’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven't

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

Various parts, when she described the abuse, when she was so close to being rescued on numerous occasions, when she was reunited with her her parents and of course her positive return to normal life.

Any additional comments?

What happened to Elizabeth is the stuff of nightmares, every child's worst fear, every parents worst nightmare. I don't think anything much worse could have happened to her, she went through hell. I just hope she continues to be happy and forgets the horror that those wicked creatures put her through.

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