I Lived to Tell the Story

5 5 out of 5 stars | 9 ratings

Price: 20.2

Last update: 02-19-2025


About this item

A raw, heartfelt memoir of perseverance, redemption, and triumph from Tamika D. Mallory, trailblazing social justice leader, activist, and cofounder of the Women’s March.

In I Lived to Tell the Story, Tamika Mallory takes us beyond the headlines and podiums, offering an unfiltered look at the moments that shaped her—not just as an activist but as a woman navigating love, loss, and self-discovery.

From her early days as the daughter of civil rights organizers in Harlem to her battles with the personal pain that many never imagined—the trauma of sexual assault, the pressures of motherhood, the fallout of public scrutiny, and the fight to reclaim her peace—this is Tamika as the world has never seen her before.

A follow-up to her “masterful” (Marc Lamont Hill) debut, State of Emergency, which confronted the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, this memoir ventures deeper into her journey. Tamika shares untold stories of resilience, courage, and internal struggles while waging war against injustice in America.

At its core, I Lived to Tell the Story is not just about activism; it’s about what happens after the smoke clears. It’s about healing, survival, and the power of truth to bring us closer to ourselves and one another.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Ardre Orie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Electrifying and Deeply Transformative
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
    I Lived to Tell the Story is an electrifying and deeply transparent narrative that strips away the persona of Tamika Mallory, the political activist to reveal the humanity underneath. In a world where the lives of public figures are often reduced to soundbites and headlines, this memoir offers a rare, unvarnished look at the personal struggles, sacrifices, and victories of one of the most captivating activists of our time.

    Riveting, candid, and profoundly relatable, it is a coming-of-age story that gives us access to Tamika in ways we’ve never seen before.

    What sets this memoir apart is its willingness to grapple with the tension between personal life and political responsibility. Tamika doesn’t shy away from sharing the internal battles that often go unnoticed by the public eye—the self-doubt, the questioning of one’s own purpose, the emotional toll of constant public scrutiny and even her fight to overcome addiction. In detailing both triumphs and failures, I Lived to Tell the Story invites readers into a world that’s not just about protests, speeches, and movements, but about the quiet moments of growth and realization that come from navigating a high-stakes, often lonely path.

    At its core, I Lived to Tell the Story is about the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery.

    This memoir serves as a poignant reminder that the people behind movements are more than their public personas. It humanizes the political landscape, reminding us that even the most courageous figures have doubts, fears, and flaws. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the person behind the cause, and perhaps, to better understand themselves.
  • Read-A-Lot
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational and candid!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025
    Unreal. Ms. Mallory has indeed lived to tell the story, and what a sensational story it is. Firstly, the candor is wowee. She went all the way, I mean, like damn. Resilience is definitely the word that will come to mind whenever I see Ms. Tamika Mallory on the screen from now on. She has come through a lot, much of it her own making, and the beauty and value of her story is she owns all of it. She totally embraces every aspect of her past with unflinching honesty.

    At times her story reads like a gritty street novel, she was a bad girl. And although she had two solid loving parents, the streets were a greater influence than her home. Some times you can do everything right, and the streets still win. But the exciting part of her journey is she always found her way back to solid ground, resilience.

    As the first reviewer here, I don’t want to say what poor decisions were made, because that would ruin the reading experience, but trust me, there are some head shaking moments, kudos to Ms. Mallory for staying in the fight and giving this brave gift of her life story to the world. She has much to teach us all, men, women, and children young and old. This is a story that resonates deeply and has the ability to inspire change in all of us. A great big thanks to Atria/Black privilege publishing and Netgalley for an advanced DRC. I am truly grateful. You will see this book on shelves February 11, 2025

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