Description
Literary Nonfiction. Memoir. Women's Studies. Politics. African Studies. Finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Memoir. Finalist in the 19th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards for biography and memoir.* Winner of the Silver Medal for Best Memoir/Autobiography at the 2016Independent Publisher Book Awards. In The rise of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to become the president of Liberia and the first woman elected to lead an African nation is one of the most inspiring stories of our time. But Sirleaf could not have done it alone. Among the people who worked tirelessly to help her achieve her victory was Washington, D.C.-based international consultant and lobbyist K. Riva Levinson.
*Thousands of books are entered each year for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and a panel of over 120 librarians and booksellers take part in the judging, narrowing it down to a group of finalists and winners that represent the best books, all independently published, in over 60 categories. Winners will be announced during the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago on June 24, 2017.
"An excellent book!"—Ruth Maclean, African correspondent, The Guardian
"One step closer to becoming a feature film, Gold Star Films has optioned the story rights to Washington lobbyist K. Riva Levinson's memoir, which Arsenal will represent for worldwide sales."—IMDB/Screen Daily
"This intriguing book provides both a unique perspective on how US foreign policy is made and a personal story of how choosing to fight for a worthy cause can change a person forever."—amightygirl.com
"A riveting geopolitical thriller...which only makes this true life story more compelling. The voice is unique, authentic, and enlarges the world as we know it."—Foreword Reviews
"An excellent behind-the-scenes book, chronicling the country's journey and Riva's."—Forbes
"An inherently fascinating and consistently compelling account from beginning to end. Candid, detailed, informative and unique."—Midwest Review of Books
"A Moving Memoir."—CQ Journal/Roll Call
"An insightful tribute to a remarkable individual...a valuable inside look at the roles played by both foreign policy and public relations in turning a country around."—Politics and Prose Bookstore
"A wonderful book about the extraordinary camaraderie between Africa's first woman president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her loyal friend and political ally, Riva Levinson... a must-read for all those interested in... Liberia's recent and turbulent history, and the immense power of friendship and loyalty."—Johnnie Carson, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs
"A deeply moving story of two extraordinary women, from very different backgrounds, who worked together through thick and thin and achieved so much... I would highly recommend this book to all."—Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi
"A riveting and compelling story that restores one's faith in humanity... a profound lesson to all of us on the vital importance of courage and perseverance to the pursuit of a life of purpose."—Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Nigeria
"A deeply personal and thoughtful book on some of the most important foreign policy issues of our time and a great read!"—Lloyd Pierson, former Director, U.S. Peace Corps, former President, African Development Foundation
"A compelling set of stories... about how political capital was built by addition, multiplication, patience, and strategy by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Riva Levinson."—William R. Sweeney Jr., President and CEO, International Foundation for Electoral Systems
"Riva's story reminds us that often the best, most challenging work comes to us when we least expect it and most need it. Her connection with President Sirleaf helped Liberia turn an important page in its history and further cemented the long existing bond between our countries."—U.S. Senator Chris Coons
"Peace and democracy seemed far, far off to Liberians when brutal warlord Charles Taylor ruled. This fast-paced, crisply told story of Liberia's rebirth under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is inspiring and impressively honest."—U.S. Representative Ed Royce
"Riva Levinson gives us a peek behind the curtain of how American foreign policy is formulated and practiced. A thoroughly engaging read from cover to cover."—U.S. Senator Jeff Flake
"The inspiring story of two brilliant women who overcame the odds to make positive change in Liberia. A must-read for any aspiring global change maker!"—Dr. Rajesh Panjabi, CEO, Last Mile Health, associate physician, Harvard Medical School, one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, 2016, and one of Fortune's World's 50 Greatest Leaders
"A book that reads like Le Carré, if Le Carré was a combination of killer politico and Tina Fey... smart, heartbreaking, funny, inspiring, and an unbelievably entertaining read."—Dan Gordon, screenwriter of The Hurricane
Other distinctions:
Strand Books - "Featured New Edition," September, 2016
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: Top 10 Women In Politics, August, 2016
Vanity Fair "Hot Type" list of recommended reads for June 2016
Author Bio
K. Riva Levinson is the President and CEO of KRL International LLC, a Washington communications and government relations firm that focuses on the world's emerging markets. A top strategist in managing international policy issues, Levinson has been profiled in The Hill and quoted in The Financial Times. She has served as a long-time advisor to Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her firm is the consultancy of record for Liberia in Washington, D.C. Levinson, who has a Bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a Master's from Georgetown University, has managed highly complex and sensitive projects in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe.
Author City: WASHINGTON, DC USA