My Story

I devoured this book once I started it and am left with a feeling of awe. I have a background in mental health and social work and know many stories, as well as having read several. I think this is my all-time favorite because of the writing, story-telling, and I think also the woman! Elizabeth is truly inspiring. She has one of those souls, like Nelson Mandela. I love that the book tells her story, but it doesn't go into salacious details. Come on, we all know or can guess at the atrocities she experienced and no one truly needs to know those details. In fact, I think knowing them might even open the door for judgement and comparison to a victim's experience and of how one would think they would behave if in that position... overall it's unnecessary and re-traumatizing. This story and Elizabeth's recount of it is so powerful that none of the drama and additional descriptions are required to be fully engrossed. Reading this, my heart broke for her and with her, at the same time celebrating her gratitude and small victories. Being an avid horse-woman, it was a surprise and joy to learn of her equine connection and the healing it brought her. As a mom, I wanted to protect her, as a sister fight with her, and as a professional help her mentally and emotionally... but somehow she doesn't need that from us. What she needs is for us to hear what she is truly saying, to empathize and recognize the plight of child victims, to talk about the important aspects, and to be aware and proactive in protecting the world around us and around our kids. She needs us to not dwell on the past and what has been, rather use the knowledge that can be gained from it and make changes in the future. I finished this book last night and just bought one for my mom to read. I also asked my husband to read it. I am a Christian woman who has been ostracized and harassed by others, many of the Mormon religion, so I was interested in Elizabeth's experience and how her faith played a role. Incredible. One of the things I took away from this book is not anything about religion, rather her personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. God is good and faithful and true and he loves his children, regardless of the way they grew up or the religion they ascribe to. Faith in the Heavenly Father doesn't need a label. I have been through terrible things that I know I only survived because of my faith, which has never waivered. I think everyone should read this book. There are so many messages and lessons to be learned from it. Most of all, how we live each day is a choice. We can choose joy and choose to be happy. It doesn't mean we won't also experience sadness, horror, and other negative things, but we can always choose to recognize and be grateful for the positives. I truly believe that Elizabeth is a sister in Christ and I love this woman. She has a message and a testimony and her words have power. She needs to be heard, especially in this day and age.

My Story is a book written by Elizabeth Smart that chronicles in Elizabeth's own words the story of how she was brutally kidnapped at knifepoint from her home by a man named Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell brazenly broke into Elizabeth's family home and then without any fear really it seems he went right into Elizabeth's bedroom (which she shared with her little sister) and woke Elizabeth up at knife point and told her if she made a sound or tried to get away from him he would murder her family with his knife. Elizabeth (who was only fourteen at the time) went with him (this really got to me because her parents were only a room or so away and this evil man had the gall to walk right past their room with their daughter). Mitchell made her hike up a mountain and to his 'camp' where Elizabeth would meet Wanda Barzee Mitchell's wife who would be an accomplice in keeping Elizabeth in captivity for the next nine months. Mitchell and Barzee made the young Elizabeth's life a living hell. This man would rape Elizabeth habitually with his wife standing by and doing absolutely nothing to help the young girl (at times in the story Elizabeth even described Barzee as seeming to be jealous of Elizabeth because of all the attention she was receiving from Mitchell; who habitually ignored his wife for the pleasure of torturing Elizabeth as well as playing manipulative mind games on the young girl.) Like telling her after a few months that her family didn't want her back and that no one was looking for her and that if she did try to escape he would kill her and her entire family. On top of this Mitchell claimed that he was a Davidic prophet and that his wife and Elizabeth needed to obey him in all things because his words were god's words. This crushed Elizabeth even more because she grew up in a mormon household and her family had certain beliefs that she followed whole-heartedly because of her faith and the way her family chose to live. Mitchell even took that from her by raping her (she had planned to wait until marriage to have sex) and by forcing her numerous times to drink alcoholic beverages until she would literally wake up covered in her own vomit (this was especially hard for Elizabeth because mormons see their body as holy temples and they want to keep them pure and clean so they do not drink alcohol) by making her drink and in many other small ways of manipulation Mitchell was breaking down Elizabeth's spirit and he was trying to destroy her faith in God (which he did not do). What he did succeed in doing was making the young girl completely terrified of him and his intentions for her family if she tried to escape. So even though a few times they were questioned by authority figures and curious citizens about who they were and who was the young girl with them Elizabeth would stay quiet and Mitchell would do all the talking. That did not work the last time however; after nine months of hell and Elizabeth being first confined in the mountains in Utah, then she was dragged to California when Mitchell was getting scared of all the attention her case still held in Elizabeth's home state of Utah. They stayed in California awhile making camp in the desert and starving at times because Mitchell would leave the two women and go into town to steal food, alcohol, and sometimes porn that he would force Elizabeth to look at; and after would rape her and do horrible things to the young girl. Finally Mitchell and his wife tired of the heat and the general climate where their camp was located in California so they (with a little push from Elizabeth who wanted to go back home so she might get recognized) decided to go back to Utah and cooler weather. (Elizabeth tricked Mitchell in a way making him believe she wanted to go back with him because she 'truly' believed he was a prophet and could do god's work better in Utah; Mitchell in my opinion seemed to want to go back because in Utah it would be easier to find young mormon girls who he could kidnap like he'd done with Elizabeth and make them his 'wives; he had tried to kidnap two young girls after he kidnapped Elizabeth but had never been successful). Elizabeth pretty quickly was recognized by authorities as soon as Mitchell, his wife, and Elizabeth were back in Utah; (They were first questioned in other states because Mitchell had forced his wife and Elizabeth to wear dirty robes and veils over their faces). They didn't have these on when Elizabeth was rescued in Utah by the police; and the police being able to actually see Elizabeth I think probably helped ensure that someone was likely to recognize who she was (even in the hobo rags that Mitchell forced her to wear). After the police got her safely away from Mitchell and his wife Elizabeth was reunited with her parents and then her brothers and sister; after nine months of literally living in hell with a crazed psycho who thought he was a prophet (he was really just a dirty old pedophile who wanted to rape young girls) and his wife Elizabeth was finally safe and back with her family. Its been over ten years since the kidnapping took place and Elizabeth was successfully rescued; she graduated high school and college, went on a mission for her church to France, and eventually met her husband and married him in a mormon wedding ceremony in Hawaii. She also has started a foundation for children who are abused and she does a lot of charity work benefitting abducted and sexually abused children. She seems like even though she had this terrible experience in childhood she has moved on and has a strong faith, a happy family, and a happy and fulfilling life. This book was very moving and although I cannot say I enjoyed it for obvious reasons I do think that Elizabeth did a very good job writing it and sharing her story with the world. As a reader I could not put it down; I just wanted to hug this young girl and tell her that she would get rescued and that everything would be alright. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who has ever been curious about the real Elizabeth smart story and everything she went through. Or just people who enjoy incredible stories of faith and perseverance. It is not a story you will soon forget.

I was vaguely familiar with Elizabeth's story, having seen it on the news, like everyone else back in 2002-2003. I recently came across an article that mentioned she was just releasing her story in book form, and being a fan of stories about strength and survival, I was eager to check it out. I finished the book in just a few days. Elizabeth's story is riveting, and she tells it very well. It's also very tastefully done, there are no graphic depictions of her abuse, which I thought was very prudent; nobody needs to "ooh" and "aah" at the sexual horrors this poor girl endured. Even so, Elizabeth is very good at describing her struggles, her thoughts, and her fears. She is good at drawing you into her head, and helping us understand why she didn't try to run, and why she became so compliant and submissive (I won't give spoilers, read the book!). It's easy to want to scream at her from the other side "Run! Fight back! Do something!" but unless you're a terrified 14 year old girl, you really cannot understand what she was going through. Some of the writing is teenager-ish, but that's not surprising, considering Elizabeth is still very young (25 yrs old) and was writing this from her 14 year old memories. And I appreciated it being that way, I wanted to hear the story from her point of view, not as written by some outside professional who would reduce it to dry psychoanalysis. Elizabeth, I'll never meet you in person, and you'll never read this review, but you are such an inspiration to me. Your strength is amazing. Your lack of self-pity, and your willpower to remain independent of your captors, and to never fall under their power (psychologically) is nothing short of inspirational. The beautiful love you have for your family is something I wish I had. Your appreciation for life, family, friends, and dreams, is something I would wish on every young person in the world. I'm so glad that you've taken the high road and followed your mother's advice, and reclaimed your life without bitterness or baggage or allowing these two people to remain in your thoughts. Great story, amazing young woman!

No kidnapping had received such wide spread media attention since the Lindbergh baby disappeared.The world was captivated by the story of pretty, blonde Elizabeth Smart, who had been snatched from her bedroom at knife point. Posters and ribbons covered Utah as the nation waited with bated breath for any report of her whereabouts. But it would be nine long months before she would be miraculously found, in the company of her two captors - a man calling himself Immanuel (aka Brian Mitchell), who had once done manual labor for her family, and his wife, Wanda Barzee. In the days and months following her rescue, the media blitz surrounding her family was intense. But Smart wasn't ready to talk or answer questions. Not yet. It would take years for this book to be written. But it was worth the wait. This book, written with startling honesty, clarity, and self-reflection, is painful to read. It is the story of a little Mormon girl, whose happy childhood was ripped away from her by a rambling mad man. Smart leaves no detail out as she writes of her long confinement and describes how she managed to stay alive while in the captivity of two lunatics. And it wasn't easy. Her captors drifter lifestyle meant that they often went without food and water for long bouts of time. Their shelter was a tent in the woods, high in the Utah mountains. Elizabeth was starved, dehydrated, beaten, and raped regularly by the monsters who refused to even call her by her name, instead choosing to call her Shearjashub: a biblical name that was meant to make Elizabeth forget her identity. Her account is raw and touching, at once inspiring and painful. She denounces claims that she developed Stockholm Syndrome, explaining that she never attempted to run away from her captors because of fear for her family, who Mitchell had promised to kill if she ever escaped. She tells us how her connection with God and her dead grandfather gave her the strength and grace to survive, never losing her burning desire to live. It is inspiring to read how this young girl kept her faith alive during this desperate time and eventually managed to guide her captors back to Utah, where they would eventually be caught by authorities. This is a captivating read. It could have been exploitative, but Smart's wisdom and insight make it a powerful story of survival and faith. It is no surprise that she went on to become such a successful woman with a bright future. Because if the child could survive what she did, imagine what the grown woman can do. Inspiring and uplifting, this book is well worth the read.

I don't even know how to start. I am a mother of two daughters and I have hesitated reading this book, because of the things I knew I was going to be reading about. The thought of one of my children being taken away from me is my worst nightmare. I cannot even begin to imagine what this family went through during the 9 months Elizabeth was gone. Even more, I cannot even fathom all the things Elizabeth went through and turned out to be such a beautiful and inspiring young woman. I have heard some people call this book "too positive", or "she had to loose faith at some point". Why? Why is it so hard for a person to believe that they could hold onto their faith no matter what. Especially if that is the ONLY thing they had to hold onto. I don't know what book they were reading, because I could feel the utter despair she felt at times, and it was heart wrenching. I didn't feel that she was too positive, and even if she was, MORE power to her! Like I said before, I had been hesitant about reading this book, but I had heard so many good things about it, that I finally broke down and bought it. I am so glad I did. It was very hard to read at times, but it also gave me a better appreciation for what I have, and what the Lord has given me and blessed me with. Elizabeth went through 9 months of pure Hell. Even after reading the book, it hard for me to fathom that such evil is even out there. I know it is, but to read about it just reaffirms that there really are just plain evil people out there. My heart broke for this poor 14 yr old girl who was taken from the comfort of her own home. Her OWN HOME...Still blows my mind. Forced to do horrible, and unspeakable things for any young woman! Yet, throughout it all, she found ways to find the "good" in life. I don't know who she did it. Even reading what she found as "good", all I could think is "how could she think that was good"? But, as you read on you realize that they were tender little mercies here and there to hep her make it through her 9 months of Hell. I want to believe that I would never question the love my Father in Heaven had for me or my faith in him, but I don't know what I would have done. I want to think I would always remember, and I hope that I never have to find out, but her simple faith, and desire to be with her family again, was absolutely beautiful. There are some things I underlined in the book that I want to share...I don't think I have to worry about giving too much away, since you know how it ends :). Page 8 This is a quote from one of Elizabeth Smarts Sunday School Teachers "If you will pray to do what God wants you to do, he will change your life" (She thought about this during a dark and hard night...remembering that no matter what God COULD change her life. Even if it had to be 30 years from then when she outlived her captures) Page 10 "When faced with pain and evil, we have to make a choice. We can choose to be taken by evil OR we can try to embrace the Good". (If Elizabeth Smart can feel that way while living with two of the worlds most horrible human beings, surely there is nothing in my life that I cannot overcome, and find the good in all things!) Page 60 This is a quote from Elizabeth's mother when Elizabeth was feeling "sad" about not being invited to a party. "You know that "popular" is just another name for rude" later on this same page she says "Elizabeth, you're going to meet lots of people in this life. Some will like you. Some of them won't. But of all the people you'll have to deal with, there are only a few people that matter. God. And your dad and me. God will always love you. You are His daughter. He will never turn his back on you. The same thing is true for me. It doesn't matter where you go, or what you do, or whatever else might happen, I will always love you. You will always be my daughter. Nothing can change that" Page 282 After she has been returned to her family this is from her older brother Charles "I have felt so terrible, not only because I wasn't there to protect you, but because the last thing I ever said to you was to tease you about some stupid little thing. I am so sorry! I am so sorry. But I promise, never again will I say good-bye without telling you I love you. That will always be the last thing I say whenever we say good-bye again" Then my favorite quote (or few paragraphs :) of the whole book .... Page 285-286 From Elizabeth's sweet mother, who I love by the way! She is amazing. "Elizabeth, what this man has done is terrible. There aren't any words that are strong enough to describe how wicked and evil he is! He has taken nine months of your life that you will never get back again. But the best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy. To move forward with your life. To do exactly what you want. Because, yes, this will probably go to trial and some kind of sentencing will be given to him and that wicked woman. But even if that's true, you may not feel like justice has been served or that true restitution has been made. "But you don't need to worry about that. At the end of the day, God is our ultimate judge. He will make up to you every pain and loss that you have suffered. And if it turns out that these wicked people are not punished here on Earth, it doesn't matter. His punishments are just. You don't ever have to worry. You don't ever have to think about them again. "You be happy, Elizabeth. Just be happy. If you go and feel sorry for yourself, or if you dwell on what has happened, if you hold on to your pain, that is allowing him to steal more of your life away. So don't you do that! Don't you let him! There is no way that he deserves that. Not one more second of your life. You keep every second for yourself. You keep them and be happy. Good will take care of the rest" Such a wise and loving mother. I don't think I would have had the guts to share my story. I am sure we have all heard news reports, and stories about Elizabeth Smart. Read this one! This is her account. Her outlook on what happened to her, and her beautiful rescue. She is absolutely amazing. Beautiful. Powerful. Loving. A true example of faith and love. I could go on and on, but you should pick it up for yourself! It really is an inspiring book. A beautiful lesson on faith, hope and forgiveness.

I have not read a book in several years that is unrelated to my work. I am in science. You interview with Terry Gross on NPR was absolutely the key for reading more about this courageous girl, now a women. The book is an amazing recount of what happens went evil reach the planet. Reading some of the chapters creates a knob in my stomach. I hesitate for a moment before I continue reading. I say to myself " this is something I must do for Elizabeth Smart because she wanted us to know that there is hope when we face the abysm. The incredible love that she received from her parents and her religious faith was part of her inspiration that kept her alive. I am not much of a religious believer but her story have in a way restore my faith. It open my believe that one must have a relationship with God. Being a father for the first time of a 19 month old toddler, I want to protect him more than ever from the evils of this world. As a result I love my kid more each day. I want to make sure he knows that no matter where he is, I love him. The book is elegantly written though I am no literature expert. The details of what was in Elizabeth mind during the 9 month in the hands of evil is an inspiration to me who sometimes complaint about silly things in life. I was not looking for an answer to the question " What life is all about?" but by reading the book I have found some additional meaning to my life, some reconnection to my soul, unfortunately by the suffering and pain endured by Elizabeth in the hands of her capturers. I thank Elizabeth Smart for sharing this so intimate experience with the word and hope that her life if full of blessings. Not a many of people get to tell or even have the courage to write their story. I hope this is not the only part of her story she gets to write about. I strongly recommend this book to all parents. ERO

Elizabeth Smart, at age 14, was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City bedroom, in the middle of the night, and held captive for the next 9 months. She experience severe hunger, thirst, sexual and emotional abuse in squalor conditions. She was brainwashed and treated like an object by her captor, Brian David Mitchell. She lived in the foothills of the mountains above her home until the Utah weather became too cold, which caused them to move to San Diego for the winter. When they returned to Salt Lake City the next spring, she was recognized and taken into police custody who returned her to her parents. This story is incredible. I read with horror as I learned the full story behind Elizabeth Smart's captivity. But reading it firsthand, albeit from a now 25-year-old perspective, was awe-inspiring to see how far she's come based on what she's experienced. I'd read the transcripts from Elizabeth's court testimony against Mitchell and was sick to my stomach over what this book would contain. But knowing who she was at this point in her life, I wanted to connect the dots on how she'd gotten there. I appreciated that Elizabeth included relevant details but didn't go to far into the disgusting, horrid acts perpetrated against her. You could use your imagination to fill in the blanks and that was where I wanted to stay. I am so impressed at her recovery and despite the criticism that it's impossible for her to overcome this without more therapy and counseling, I believe it's a testament to Elizabeth's strong spirit and her faith in God that she's who she is now. Who better to help her through the recovery than the Master Healer, and she's turned to him and relied on Him and her counselor. I appreciated the stories of her recognition of His hand in her life while in captivity. Her faith is who she is, carried her through the storm, and has made her the amazing person she is today. Kudos, Elizabeth! One of the main reasons I bought this book was to support you personally. Thank you for your amazing example.

A very telling story to read. While there were some factual errors in the account. Confusing Big Cottonwood Canyon for Little Cottonwood is an obvious one for the Salt Lake locals. I also had the thought at times that the writing was on such a mature level that Chris Stewart's presence in the book came a bit too close to the surface. All of that a side one can not but stand in awe of this young women's strength, courage and resilience. Not only did she survive physically but her post captivity behavior and emotional stability has been an example to all concerned. I have dealt with some young women who have had to deal with sexual abuse by family members. She offers wonderful approaches to putting the past behind her. However I would probably think that dealing with sexual abuse by a family member is far more complex and emotionally confusing than Elizabeth's situation. Her public speeches since the event have also contained wisdom and council that is so important for young women in our society. The messages we send to young women regarding the lose of virtue regardless the cause are emotionally devastating. A women's worth is not totally tied to her virtue. There are many other virtues that are as important or more so. The values of empathy, love, tolerance and being non-judge mental are equally important. If a young lady is struggling with her worth because of a loss of virtue she will also struggle with developing the above named virtues. Elizabeth has taught us all a powerful lesson about living in the present, being grateful and refusing to let unspeakable experiences in the past tarnish and ruin our future. Many thanks to you Elizabeth. You are an amazing example.

A young woman that you can only admire for her faith and determination to keep going as well as her way of dealing with everything afterwards.

The Elizabeth Smart story has always interested me. Although I have watched interviews and documentaries on the case, nothing gets so deep inside her head as this book does. She is blunt and exposes the darkest hours of her life, giving the readers a insight of the thoughts that were racing inside her head during every step of the way. The only thing she does not expand on is her encounters of rape, which is very understandable and essentially should be kept in her private life. Although this book is poorly written, I out that aside and rated it a 5 due to the content which paints a perfect picture on how this poor girl suffered and lived for 9 months. This book is very inspirational to woman and gives the reader the heart touching message of "NEVER giving up". This story is a must read and I have encouraged my family and friends to read it!

Il libro era usato e vecchio aveva un odore sgradevole cosa molto strana mai sucesso sono stata sempre soddisfatta del servizio

I don't know how to review this book, I don't think really anyone can. Elizabeth has shared her story with the world and I don't think anyone has any right to criticize it. You might not like what you read but you bought this book to hear her story. I gave it 5 stars to say thank you for sharing your story, 5 stars for her bravery, 5 stars for her faith in God and 5 stars for moving on with her life, she is truly inspirational. I am sickened by the people giving bad reviews, she is telling her story, it might not be going into the details you want to hear but you should be grateful she is sharing any of her story with the world at all. After all, she doesn't have to share anything with the world. I was horrified to keep hearing in the book "people question" e.g. her sister not getting out of bed sooner and Elizabeth not speaking up in the library to the officer. How can people question any of it. Everyone acts differently in different situations and no one knows what they would do until they were in that situation. I think what disgusts me most with the people asking these questions is that Elizabeth and her sister were children and lived a sheltered life, how dare anyone be so rude. Thank you again Elizabeth, May you continue to live a happy life!

Gosto de aprender com as experiências dos outros.