Unbowed: A Memoir

"Concrete and mesmerizing, Unbowed is the story of resistance, a refusal to be bowed down by oppression and humiliation in the pursuit of the excellent and the heroic in society. Wangari Maathai's story is more than that of one woman's struggles against the negative political and social conditions of her upbringing: it is also the story of Kenya, Africa, and the World. The environment she fights for is the totality of the ecological and social conditions of our being. Her life is a triumph of good over evil."
-Ngugi wa Thiong'o, author of "Wizard of the Crow"
"This is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary woman's life. The courage, compassion and natural wisdom that shine out from these pages are hugely inspiring for campaigners the world over. And for those who are still struggling to find what 'sustainable development' really means in practice, you need look no further than Wangari Maathai's own life, and the astonishing success of the Green Belt Movement."
-Jonathon Porritt, Co-Founder and Programme Director of Forum for the Future
"Wangari Maathai's memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written-a gripping account of modern Africa's trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause."
-Bill Clinton
"Wangari Maathai is a prophet for our time and "Unbowed" is a call to arms for all of us who feel that the planet is overwhelmed by careless, corrupt or violent leadership. I have long suspected that the voice to lead us forward would come out of Africa, and it has - a voice of humor, sense, strength and compassion. Read this book and pass it on."
-Alexandra Fuller
"Wangari Maathai will bethe first woman from Africa to be honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. She will also be the first African from the vast area between South Africa and Egypt to be awarded the prize. She represents an example and a source of inspiration for everyone in Africa fighting for sustainable development, democracy and peace."
-The Norwegian Nobel Committee, 8 October 2004
"My time with Wangari Maathai made me feel as if I had been given new eyes and an awakened soul . . . . To exude a sense of empowered peace . . . with historic brilliance and heroism while raising three children as a single mother in a country hostile to strong women is almost unimaginable . . . She should be the most celebrated woman in the world."
-Alexandra Fuller
"What is impressive and important about what Wangari and the Green Belt Movement have done is that they work on the environment in a way that ties it to economic empowerment- lifting people out of poverty. Such creative solutions need our support."
-Bill Clinton
"Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement demonstrate the intimate connection between sustainable management of Africa's rich natural resources, democracy, good governance and peace. Such are the solutions that will bring new light to Africa. I hope the world will support her vision of hope."
-Nelson Mandela

"From the Hardcover edition."

" Concrete and mesmerizing, Unbowed is the story of resistance, a refusal to be bowed down by oppression and humiliation in the pursuit of the excellent and the heroic in society. Wangari Maathai's story is more than that of one woman's struggles against the negative political and social conditions of her upbringing: it is also the story of Kenya, Africa, and the World. The environment she fights for is the totality of the ecological and social conditions of our being. Her life is a triumph of good over evil."
- Ngugi wa Thiong' o, author of "Wizard of the Crow"
" This is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary woman's life. The courage, compassion and natural wisdom that shine out from these pages are hugely inspiring for campaigners the world over. And for those who are still struggling to find what ' sustainable development' really means in practice, you need look no further than Wangari Maathai's own life, and the astonishing success of the Green Belt Movement."
- Jonathon Porritt, Co-Founder and Programme Director of Forum for the Future
" Wangari Maathai's memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written- a gripping account of modern Africa's trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause."
- Bill Clinton
" Wangari Maathai is a prophet for our time and "Unbowed" is a call to arms for all of us who feel that the planet is overwhelmed by careless, corrupt or violent leadership. I have long suspected that the voice to lead us forward would come out of Africa, and it has - avoice of humor, sense, strength and compassion. Read this book and pass it on."
- Alexandra Fuller
" Wangari Maathai will be the first woman from Africa to be honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. She will also be the first African from the vast area between South Africa and Egypt to be awarded the prize. She represents an example and a source of inspiration for everyone in Africa fighting for sustainable development, democracy and peace."
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee, 8 October 2004
" My time with Wangari Maathai made me feel as if I had been given new eyes and an awakened soul . . . . To exude a sense of empowered peace . . . with historic brilliance and heroism while raising three children as a single mother in a country hostile to strong women is almost unimaginable . . . She should be the most celebrated woman in the world."
- Alexandra Fuller
" What is impressive and important about what Wangari and the Green Belt Movement have done is that they work on the environment in a way that ties it to economic empowerment- lifting people out of poverty. Such creative solutions need our support."
- Bill Clinton
" Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement demonstrate the intimate connection between sustainable management of Africa's rich natural resources, democracy, good governance and peace. Such are the solutions that will bring new light to Africa. I hope the world will support her vision of hope."
- Nelson Mandela

"From the Hardcover edition."

" Wangari Maathai' s memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written-- a gripping account of modern Africa' s trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause."
-- President Bill Clinton
" Wangari Maathai is the rare leader who knows how to create independence, not dependence. On the page as in person, her example makes each of us a little stronger, wiser and braver than we ever thought we could be."
-- Gloria Steinem
" Compelling. . . . A striking reminder that the peace award, more than any other Nobel honor, recognizes success achieved through tremendous adversity."
-- "The Seattle Times"
" Inspirational. . . . Ms. Maathai will not be beaten down."
-- "The Economist"
" [Maathai' s] story provides uplifting proof of the power of perseverance-- and of the power of principled, passionate people to change their countries and inspire the world."
-- "The Washington Post"

" Wangari Maathai ' s memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written -- a gripping account of modern Africa ' s trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause. "
-- President Bill Clinton
& quot; Wangari Maathai is the rare leader who knows how to create independence, not dependence. On the page as in person, her example makes each of us a little stronger, wiser and braver than we ever thought we could be. "
-- Gloria Steinem
" Compelling. . . . A striking reminder that the peace award, more than any other Nobel honor, recognizes success achieved through tremendous adversity. "
-- The Seattle Times
" Inspirational. . . . Ms. Maathai will not be beaten down. "
-- The Economist
" [Maathai ' s] story provides uplifting proof of the power of perseverance -- and of the power of principled, passionate people to change their countries and inspire the world. "
-- The Washington Post

"Wangari Maathai's memoir is direct, honest, and beautifully written--a gripping account of modern Africa's trials and triumphs, a universal story of courage, persistence, and success against great odds in a noble cause."
--President Bill Clinton
"Wangari Maathai is the rare leader who knows how to create independence, not dependence. On the page as in person, her example makes each of us a little stronger, wiser and braver than we ever thought we could be."
--Gloria Steinem
"Compelling. . . . A striking reminder that the peace award, more than any other Nobel honor, recognizes success achieved through tremendous adversity."
--"The Seattle Times"
"Inspirational. . . . Ms. Maathai will not be beaten down."
--"The Economist"
"[Maathai's] story provides uplifting proof of the power of perseverance--and of the power of principled, passionate people to change their countries and inspire the world."
--"The Washington Post"

In "Unbowed," Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai recounts her extraordinary journey from her childhood in rural Kenya to the world stage. When Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, she began a vital poor people's environmental movement, focused on the empowerment of women, that soon spread across Africa. Persevering through run-ins with the Kenyan government and personal losses, and jailed and beaten on numerous occasions, Maathai continued to fight tirelessly to save Kenya's forests and to restore democracy to her beloved country. Infused with her unique luminosity of spirit, Wangari Maathai's remarkable story of courage, faith, and the power of persistence is destined to inspire generations to come.