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    My Story
    My Story
    My Story
    Audiobook9 hours

    My Story

    Written by Elizabeth Smart and Chris Stewart

    Narrated by Elizabeth Smart

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    The harrowing true story of abduction and survival from the courageous young woman who lived it—now the subject of a Lifetime original movie, I Am Elizabeth Smart.

    In this memoir, 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, fourteen-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. Elizabeth 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.

    With My Story, Elizabeth 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 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. She and her husband, Matthew Gilmour, now have two children.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateOct 7, 2013
    ISBN9781427233431
    Author

    Elizabeth Smart

    ELIZABETH SMART is an American activist and president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. She first gained widespread attention at age fourteen when she was kidnapped from her home and rescued nine months later. Smart's #1 New York Times bestselling memoir My Story describes her experience, and her follow-up, Where There's Hope, is an inspiring guide to healing after trauma.

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    Reviews for My Story

    4/5

    324 ratings41 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 2/5
      This book was poorly written and very child-like. I have nothing against Elizabeth Smart and was interested in learning more about what exactly she went through during captivity.

      If you're coming here to find out details about Elizabeth Smart's captivity don't waste your time. She fills most of the pages with sentences like this "He would torture and brutalize me in ways that are impossible to describe."

      3 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I could not stop listening to the story. Well written, no one could read it like she did. Horrific experience. My heart was broken for her and her family. She mentioned in her story that a handcart pioneer's suffering was worse than her own. I don't believe that. I would prefer that suffering for me or my child over what Elizabeth endured. Yet she was incredibly strong and an example to the world of good overcoming evil with an incredible faith in God. As for her captures, it would be better that a milestone were hanged about their necks.

      3 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Well written and told from a very unselfish viewpoint. A real page turner. Also it was quite funny In parts, the authors dry observations of her captors. Couldn't wait to get to the end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      writer books paragraphs great paper Assignment Business money Local government

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Her positive outlook is awe inspiring! Fascinating story of how to move forward through crazy adversity
    • 1/5
      Sad true story but over the top reading tho! Not well written
    • 5/5
      I remember when this happened it was just down the street from me... shes so amazing
    • 5/5
      This is an incredibly inspiring story. I went in without knowing any of the background and was still able to follow along well. I would recommend it.
    • 5/5
      An amazing book, I really admire her sense of gratitude.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful book. What a strong young woman. And what a mighty God we serve.
    • 5/5
      Powerful story. Such a young girl to experience such a horrific journey. Yet her faith and resilience allow her to not only survive but thrive in these years since!
    • 5/5
      Excellent book i couldn't stop listening! What a courageous woman who went through a HORRIBLE experience!
    • 5/5
      Such an inspiring read, I could not put this down.
    • 5/5
      I'm so glad this little girl had her faith to sustain her!
    • 5/5
      Wow. My heart ached with all the horrific things that sweet Elizabeth had to endure while abducted. I’m so impressed with her faith and resilience after experiencing such trauma. While her story is devastating, it is also filled with such hope and peace. It’s amazing how powerful prayer is. This book left me feeling grateful for all my trials and hardships and to never forget the importance of gratitude.
    • 5/5
      Worst worst worst worst worst worst worst worst worst worst
    • 4/5
      Narrated by the author. Typically, when I see an audiobook is performed by the author, it doesn't bode well for my experience. Very few authors can get away with it. This is a pleasant surprise however. At first Smart starts out sounding too pert for this horrifying account. But as she gains her momentum her voice becomes a highly compelling part of the story. Her voice is strong and confident and the moments when she sarcastically refers to her captors or ironic situations are actually funny. She even changes her voice to portray her captors. When you hear her document abuses such as daily rapes and quote the awful words said to her, the miracle is not just that she survived the abuse, but that she had the inner fortitude to rise so very, very high above it. Astonishing and inspiring.
    • 5/5
      Inspirational! Great read! Elizabeth’s strength is so admirable! Highly recommend!
    • 3/5
      I have let this books sit in my mind for a couple of days before writing my review. As the mother of a 14-year-old daughter, I can't imagine the pain and suffering Elizabeth Smart and her family went through during her nine month ordeal. I want to approach my review with sensitivity and the knowledge that I can never truly understand what she was thinking or feeling during her kidnapping and captivity. But, as always, I need to be honest with my opinions as well. Please understand this while you read my thoughts.

      I chose to listen to this book on audio rather than read it because Elizabeth Smart narrates it herself. I wanted to hear her words in her own voice, and I'm glad I did. It was a constant reminder of how young she was when she was taken, and how young she still is now. The teenaged inflections, the utter disdain that comes through, really made her thoughts come to life.

      But while she was very detailed about the beginning weeks of her captivity, she time-jumped quite a bit towards the end. They spent six months in California but she told fewer stories about that time. I don't know if it was from monotony or if she has forgotten or did not want to share specifics, but it left me with some lingering questions. And that's ok; it's her private life.

      A few things I am left with: 1) it bothered me that she kept referring to herself as a little girl. She was adamant about this, and referred to herself as "just a little girl" numerous times. As the mother of a 14-year-old girl, and having once been a 14-year-old myself, I found this odd. I understand that people are different, and perhaps it was because she was somewhat sheltered, but I don't know any young lady around that age who refers to themselves as a little girl. That is the age they are entering high school and are striving to grow up. I feel it is more likely that she now looks back on it and realizes she was way too young to experience such depravity, and is applying it to how she might have felt at the time.
      2) she was very adamant that she did not bond with her captors or attempt to get along with them. This seems unlikely as well. She made it a point to tell us this so many times that I felt it was like she was testifying at a parole hearing to keep them behind bars. Elizabeth, absolutely no one would blame you if you did whatever it took to stay alive. If you were pleasant to them or tried not to make waves, we completely understand. This is at complete odds with the fact that you had numerous opportunities to either escape or alert someone, including police questioning you, of your identity. I am not saying you wanted to be with them, not at all. But you were in public places many times in both California and Utah with questioning eyes on you, and I would think that you would have wanted to get to safety at any cost. That's all. Again, I'm not judging, just speculating what I would do in that situation.
      3) her faith is amazing. I can't imagine holding onto faith in a god who would allow me to be kidnapped, raped, and emotionally terrorized for nine months. My brain can't wrap around it. It is nice that she still has her faith, because I'm sure other people would be bitter after what she has been through. She claims to have seen no counselors, received no therapy, and has grown up to be a successful young woman, so good for her.

      Overall, an interesting story, and I would definitely recommend the audio version so you can hear it in her own voice.
    • 4/5
      Very detailed account of kidnapping and recovery. I read her story in the papers and saw things on TV but this gets into her feelings. Very good.
    • 3/5
      Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom and held captive in rural camps around Utah for 9 months. Her kidnapper was a self-proclaimed itinerant prophet who chose Elizabeth as his second wife. Short on details and long on frustrating passificism (e.g., I prayed for a miracle) the book does not succeed as a thriller. Rather, It is a tribute to her faith and perseverance.
    • 4/5
      This is the frightening story of the abduction and abuse of 14 year old Elizabeth told and narrated in her own words. Her courage and tenacity, faith and love for her God and family kept her sane and alive through 9 months of sexual and emotional abuse, starvation, isolation, as well as hard labor and horrible living conditions. Her rescue and return to her family is moving and joyous.
    • 4/5
      Writing is not great but book speaks volumes about owning your own story
    • 3/5
      A survivor, courageous and faithful young woman. She is living proof that miracles happen.
    • 4/5
      In 2002, Elizabeth Smart was only 14-years old when she was kidnapped from her own bedroom(!!!) in Salt Lake City, Utah. A homeless man who considered himself a prophet kidnapped her and he and his wife held her for nine months before they were caught and she was reunited with her family. Elizabeth tells the story of what happened.In addition to her own story of what happened over those nine months, Elizabeth tells some of how things were going back home with the search. In fact, for a good chunk of the time, she was kept very close to home, until it got too cold to live in their tent and all three moved to California. The way the story was told seemed very “simple” to me, maybe to reflect (on purpose or otherwise!) how young she was at the time? There is also a bit or repetition. I certainly remember the story in the news, even here in Canada and always wondered about her. She seems to have come through very well adjusted (despite the daily rape!). She doesn’t go into detail on that. The 4-star rating may also have to do with my interest in the case, generally.
    • 5/5
      There are really no words to describe how I feel about this book. Elizabeth is so strong and brave to have lived through such a horrific time, and then to relive it by sharing her story with the world. It is well written, and I applaud her for sharing.

      I hate that this happened. I hate that this book was written. I am glad that her tormentors are in prison. I am glad that Elizabeth is strong and brave and happy.
    • 4/5
      I made the mistake of reading other reviews before I did my own.
      They make me angry. Nosey people expecting too much. There is no reason to pick the book apart because she didn't share in the exact details of her torture and rape. Good job humans.

      She doesn't owe anyone anything. The fact that she even wrote a book for the public to read is a great leap and very brave. She doesn't need to tell us anything. Were all reading this book because were nosey, some are just more nosey then others I guess.

      I see nothing wrong in her writing style. She's not a "professional" author. Never claimed to be, she can write however she wants. She was a kid when this happened, she's going to remember it like a kid.

      I think the book was fine. It was written just fine. It's easy to read and understand. What she went through was horrible and I'm glad to know she lives a happy life now. And that's all people should be concerned about. Is that she's happy.
    • 4/5
      I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Smart a few years ago for a local newspaper when she visited the area to give a few talks. I was amazed by her poise and demeanor when faced with ridiculous questions that frequently begin with "Why didn't you..." She was was an abducted, brutalized, terrorized teenager who focused on surviving. Her recovery from all that she endured is remarkable. After hearing her speak, I decided to pick up "My Story."The book tells the story of Elizabeth's kidnapping, torture and eventual homecoming. I thought it did a good job of portraying the facts of the case and how Elizabeth managed to survive -- mainly through her belief in God, memories of her family and an internal reservoir of strength. I didn't necessarily like the way the book was written... it really attempted to put an emphasis on her being a little girl (and I get why the book is written in the way it is, but it's a bit jarring.) The book also lacked that spark that Elizabeth possesses when she speaks (I've covered lots of guest speakers over the years and few of their speeches have really stuck with me like Elizabeth's did.) Overall, this book is a fine read if you want to know more about what happened to Elizabeth during her nine months of captivity.
    • 5/5
      I remember when Elizabeth was taken. It was horrific at the time and horrific again to listen to Elizabeth read her book about what happened to her. What a strong individual Elizabeth has become and I'm so glad she is living her life with joy and happiness so she doesn't give anymore power to her captors. I know she says no one knows what she went through, that the fear can paralyze you but I still wonder why she didn't yell her name when the police officer confronted them at the library and was quiet when they were caught. I understand she didn't want to cause her family harm, but it's too bad she didn't have faith that the police would keep her safe. I do know because of listening to this book, I'm going to look a little closer at people as I walk by and see if they are sending signals with their eyes or body language. And I hope Elizabeth's story helps children who do happen to get taken to have strength to survive.
    • 1/5
      It was the content that caused me to stop reading, but the low rating is for writing quality. I have trouble attributing these words to Smart herself, and suspect the ghost writer was aiming at the assumed reading abilities of Nancy Grace's audience. I picked it up knowing I might not finish it, and I credit Smart for getting through and sharing such a terrible experience. But I didn't expect that use of the word "derelict" would make me wonder where she pulled the big word from, out of the blue like that. I'm sure this is her story, but I doubt they are her words. Her ghost writer has done her a disservice.