Best Selling Books by Michelle Burford

"Simone takes you through the events, challenges, and trials that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the 2016 Olympic team" --

Diane Guerrero, the television actress was just fourteen years old on the day her parents and brother were arrested and deported to Colombia while she was at school. Born in the U.S., Guerrero was able to remain in the country and continue her education, depending on the kindness of family friends who took her in and helped her build a life and a successful acting career for herself, without the support system of her family

The Dallas police chief who inspired a nation with his response to the killing of five of his officers shares his personal story and his faith in America’s potential to unite communities through a dedication to transparency and trust. “The real deal: a real Christian, a real man, a real leader.”—Whoopi Goldberg, The View “A front-row seat to the tension between law enforcement and minority residents nationwide.”—The Dallas Morning News On July 7, 2016, protesters marched in the streets of Dallas to demonstrate against the killings of unarmed black men by the police. As the peaceful event drew to a close, a sniper opened fire, targeting white cops and killing five of them. Into this charged situation stepped Dallas police chief David O. Brown, who, with a historic new tactical approach, quickly ended the gunman’s siege and calmed his community and the nation. In this powerful memoir, Chief Brown takes us behind the scenes of that tragedy and shares intimate moments from his early life: his childhood, in which he was raised by a single mom in a neighborhood poor in resources but rich in love and faith; his college years—cut short when he felt called to save his hometown from its descent into drug-related violence; and, as he moved up the ranks, a series of deeply personal tragedies. His first partner on the job was killed in the line of duty; his younger brother was murdered by drug dealers; and during Brown’s first month as chief of police, his mentally ill son was killed by a cop after taking two other lives. Called to Rise charts how, over his thirty-three-year career, Brown evolved from a “throw ’em in jail and let God sort ’em out” beat cop into a passionate advocate for community-oriented law enforcement, rising from crime scene investigator to S.W.A.T. team leader to the head of a municipal police department widely regarded as one of America’s finest. Now retired, “America’s chief” wants to bring his hard-earned knowledge of Dallas—emphasizing outreach, accountability, and inclusion—to help encourage unity in the nation’s hurting communities. Chief Brown believes that we have to band together to engage in the kind of dialogue that can lead to solutions. In place of complaining, we all have to take action—and one first great step is to tune in to what is being said. Called to Rise explores the keys to that dialogue—trust, transparency, and compassion—that have made Brown a leader on the front lines of social change in America.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A TIME MUST-READ BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the nine-time women’s basketball icon and two-time Olympic gold medalist—a raw, revelatory account of her unfathomable detainment in Russia and her journey home. “Compelling . . . An intimate, honest recollection of Griner’s time held captive in Russia. Coming Home reads as a deeply personal, publicly powerful documentation of what happened—what is still happening—to her body and mind.” —Slate On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner arrived in Moscow ready to spend the WNBA offseason playing for the Russian women’s basketball team where she had been the centerpiece of previous championship seasons. Instead, a security checkpoint became her gateway to hell when she was arrested for mistakenly carrying under one gram of medically prescribed hash oil. Brittney’s world was violently upended in a crisis she has never spoken in detail about publicly—until now. In Coming Home, Brittney finally shares the harrowing details of her sudden arrest days before Russia invaded Ukraine; her bewilderment and isolation while navigating a foreign legal system amid her trial and sentencing; her emotional and physical anguish as the first American woman ever to endure a Russian penal colony while the #WeAreBG movement rallied for her release; the chilling prisoner swap with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout; and her remarkable rise from hostage to global spokesperson on behalf of America’s forgotten. In haunting and vivid detail, Brittney takes readers inside the horrors of a geopolitical nightmare spanning ten months. And yet Coming Home is more than Brittney’s journey from captivity to freedom. In an account as gripping as it is poignant, she shares how her deep love for Cherelle, her college sweetheart and wife of six years, anchored her during their greatest storm; how her family’s support pulled her back from the brink; and how hundreds of letters from friends and neighbors lent her resolve to keep fighting. Coming Home is both a story of survival and a testament to love—the bonds that brought Brittney home to her family, and at last, to herself.

The inspiring autobiography from Gabrielle Douglas—the first African-American gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around champion—revealing her journey from the time she first entered a gym to her gold-medal-winning performances. In the 2012 London Olympics, US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas stole hearts and flew high as the All-Around Gold Medal winner and the brightest star of the US gold-medal-winning women''s gymnastics team. That same year, Gabrielle was also named the 2012 Sportswoman of the Year by the Women''s Sports Foundation. In this personal autobiography, Grace, Gold, and Glory My Leap of Faith, Gabrielle tells her story of faith, perseverance, and determination. Walk with Gabby Douglas through her journey of faith and what her family overcame, from the time she first entered a gymnasium to her gold-medal-winning performances, demonstrating to readers ages 13 and up that they can reach their dreams when they let themselves soar. Grace, Gold, and Glory My Leap of Faith: Is the official autobiography of renowned US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas Chronicles Gabrielle''s journey from her first practice to becoming a 2012 gold-winning US gymnast Celebrates Gabrielle as the first African-American gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around champion, and the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual All-Around and team competitions at the same Olympics. Is one of the most inspiring books on the market today for reader ages 13 and up

From basketball icon Brittney Griner comes a captivating memoir about her journey from early athletic stardom to her page-turning account of how she persevered in a Russian prison—now adapted for young adults. On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner arrived in Moscow ready to play for a Russian women’s basketball team. Instead, a security checkpoint became her gateway to hell and she was arrested for mistakenly carrying a small amount of an illegal substance in Russia. Brittney’s world was violently upended in a crisis that would capture the interest of an entire nation. Brittney shares this harrowing story of courage and strength, while recalling her teenage years where she found meaning and empowerment in sports, and overcoming her own struggles with her sexual identity. Her principles of fortitude and courage are ever evident as she goes on to recount her feelings of isolation while navigating a foreign legal system, her emotional and physical anguish as the first American woman ever to endure a Russian penal colony, the chilling prisoner swap with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, and her remarkable rise from hostage to global spokesperson on behalf of other detained Americans. Young readers will identify with Brittney''s story of overcoming insurmountable odds, finding strength within herself, and navigating the ups and downs of coming of age as a queer Black woman. Coming Home is both a story of survival and a testament to love—the bonds that brought Brittney home to her family, and ultimately, to herself.

The Olympic gold medalist shares the story of her life and how her faith allowed her to persevere and reach her dreams.

Memorias de los secuestros de Cleveland.

In Thuiskomen doet de Amerikaanse basketballer Brittney Griner verslag van haar onvoorstelbare tijd als politiek gevangene in een Russische gevangenis. Op 17 februari 2022 arriveert Brittney Griner in Moskou, waar ze buiten het Amerikaanse seizoen speelt voor een basketbalteam in de hoogste competitie. De douane vindt echter één gram cannabisolie in haar koffer en de sterspeler wordt gearresteerd. Dat de olie haar door een arts is voorgeschreven maakt in Rusland geen enkel verschil. Enkele dagen later vallen de Russen Oekraïne binnen en ze wordt een pion in een geopolitiek spel. Griner neemt de lezer mee in een nachtmerrie die uiteindelijk tien maanden zal duren. Ze vertelt beklemmend en met levendige details over haar eenzaamheid tijdens haar proces, over de angsten die ze uitstond in een Russische strafkolonie en over de gevangenenruil met de Russische wapenhandelaar Viktor Bout. Tegelijkertijd gaat Thuiskomen ook over Griners sportcarrière, haar familie, haar geloof en de uitdagingen waar ze als Zwarte queer vrouw in de verdeelde Verenigde Staten dagelijks voor komt te staan. Thuiskomen is een schrijnend verslag van een lange reis om rechtvaardigheid en vrijheid te bereiken, én een ode aan de liefde.

Michelle Knight ist 21 Jahre alt, als sie entführt wird; ihr Martyrium wird elf Jahre dauern. Der Schulbusfahrer Ariel Castro hält sie und später zwei weitere Frauen in seinem Haus in Cleveland gefangen, wo er sie psychisch und physisch unvorstellbar misshandelt. Was sie in dieser Zeit an körperlichen und seelischen Qualen durchlitt, beschreibt sie in ihrem Buch. Und was ihr half, diese Zeit zu überleben und nie die Hoffnung aufzugeben, dass sie eines Tages wieder ein normales Leben führen würde. "Nichts in meinen 12 Jahren als Moderator der Dr. Phil-Show hat mich derart verändert wie Michelle Knight und die Geschichte ihres Überlebens." - Dr. Phil McGraw

Michelle Knight n''a pas été épargnée par la vie. Maltraitée pendant son enfance, celle que l''on surnomme «la naine» met au monde un petit garçon. Accusée à tort de mauvais traitements sur son enfant, celle-ci se bat pour sa garde lorsqu''elle est enlevée par le monstre Ariel Castro. Ce dernier, qui la croyait adolescente, découvre avec dégoût son âge, vingt et un ans, et en fait son souffre-douleur. Les huit premiers mois, Michelle est enchaînée à une canalisation dans la cave, à moitié nue, un casque de moto sur la tête pour étouffer ses cris. Son bourreau lui inflige les pires sévices. Comble de l''atrocité, ses proches ne signalent jamais sa disparition. Preuve que l''on peut survivre à l''impensable, Michelle Knight a tenu bon. Par amour pour son fils. En croyant à des jours meilleurs. Après onze ans de torture, elle est la première des séquestrées de Cleveland à témoigner.