This Child Will Be Great

This Child Will Be Great is an inspirational memoir from Africa’s first elected female president about her improbable rise to international prominence.

In January 2006, after the Republic of Liberia had been racked by fourteen years of brutal civil conflict, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf—Africa’s “Iron Lady”—was sworn in as president, an event that marked a tremendous turning point in the history of the West African nation.

In this stirring memoir, the Nobel Peace Prize and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree shares the story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; her fight for democracy and social justice, and her unwavering resolve to rebuild her nation. She reveals her determination to succeed in multiple worlds, from her studies in the United States to her work as an international bank executive, to campaigning in some of Liberia’s most desperate and war-torn villages and neighborhoods. It is the tale of an outspoken political and social reformer who fought the oppression of dictators and championed change. By telling her story, Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to pursue leadership roles at the highest levels of power, and gives us all hope that we can change the world.

“Exceptionally well written, a true story that seems as much a thriller as the remembrances of an ambitious and brave woman. . . . This timely book . . . is a lesson in courage and perseverance.” —Washington Post

“An incredible story. . . . An accessible walk through Liberian history, told by someone who was somehow always in the center of the political storm.” —New York Times Book Review