Were Better Than This, Elijah Cummings
Were Better Than This, Elijah Cummings
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List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
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We're Better Than This
My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy

Author: Elijah Cummings, James Dale

Narrator: Nancy Pelosi, Laurence Fishburne, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings

Unabridged: 10 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Harper

Published: 09/22/2020


Synopsis

The audiobook contains
beautiful memories of Representative Elijah Cummings narrated by Laurence
Fishburne and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, with a foreword written and read by
Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Included are the eulogies from his funeral delivered by
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Speaker
Nancy Pelosi, Harry Spikes, Kweisi
Mfume, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Jennifer Cummings, Adia Cummings, and
James Cummings. Baltimore Congressman Elijah Cummings was known
for saying “We’re better than this.”He
said it in Baltimore, a city on the verge of explosion over police treatment of
citizens.  He said it in Congress when microphones were shut down, barring
free speech.  He said it when the President flaunted his power and ignored
the Constitution.  He said it when the President resorted to bullying,
name-calling and feeding racial divisions. We are better than this. He
continued to say it until his final days last October.  He said it because
he believed we must call out what is wrong and call on our better selves to
make things right.In We’re Better Than This,
Cummings details the formative moments in his life that prepared him to hold
President Donald Trump accountable for his actions while in office. Cummings
powerfully weaves together the urgent drama of modern-day politics and the
defining stories from his past. He offers a unique perspective on how his
upbringing as the son of sharecroppers in a South Baltimore neighborhood, rampant
with racism and poverty, laid the foundation of a life spent fighting for
justice. Cummings
was known for his ability to referee contentious members of Congress and reach
across the aisle for the sake of justice. Since his early days in politics,
Cummings proved his abilities as a leader and legal mind who could operate at
the highest levels of democracy, always working with – and for – the
underserved.

Part
memoir, part call-to-action, the book goes behind the scenes with the House
Democratic leadership, offering an eye-opening account of the relentless and
unprecedented obstructionism by both the President and GOP. Cummings’ final
words present a vital defense of how government oversight defines our
collective trust and makes the case that, even in the face of our nation’s most
challenging times, we must remain rooted in the politics of optimism.

About Elijah Cummings

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and died there on October 17, 2019.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Howard University, serving as Student Government President and graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and then graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law. Congressman Cummings dedicated his life of service to uplifting and empowering the people he represented. He began his career of public service in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served sixteen years and became the first African American in Maryland history to be named Speaker Pro Tem. First sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Congressman Cummings proudly represented Maryland's 7th District since 1996. He became Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in 2011 and was appointed as Chairman of the Committee in 2019.

About James Dale

James Dale has collaborated on a number of books on sports, business, medicine, and life lessons. His works include The Power of Nice with agent-negotiator Ron Shapiro; Just Show Up with Hall of Fame baseball player Cal Ripken Jr.; and The Q Factor with Super Bowl–winning coach Brian Billick.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Moonkiszt on December 23, 2020

Elijah Cummings’ book, We’re Better Than This is one of my best reads this crazy year (2020). The title he chose doesn’t shame us, it carries his heartfelt testimony of encouragement, conviction and humility. We are better than the current situation in which we find ourselves. Now’s the time to refle......more

Goodreads review by Talie on September 21, 2020

Thank you to Harper Audio for the complimentary audiobook of We're Better Than This by Elijah Cummings. If I could pick one quote from this book that captures it's essence it would be this: "This is a fight for the soul of our democracy." - Elijah Cummings We're Better Than This is both a memoir and a......more

Goodreads review by Lynn on December 01, 2020

Biography written for YA readers at Elijah Cummings request. It’s very moving and is framed by his own words. I think it’s most appropriate for adults only because the topics are really sophisticated and might not grab younger readers’ minds. He doesn’t break things down easily and assumes knowledge......more

Goodreads review by Stacey Kay on November 21, 2020

Congressman Elijah Cummings writes about his life with such a steadfast belief in democracy and equality, it makes me want to turn up the dial on my hope again. He was a Good Person and light in our world. May we all continue to shine for him as we march on.......more