
Every Day Is a Gift
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Tammy Duckworth
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By:
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Tammy Duckworth
About this listen
An instant New York Times best seller!
Learn the incredible story of Illinois senator and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth and see what inspired her to follow the path that made her who she is today.
In Every Day Is a Gift, Tammy Duckworth takes listeners through the amazing - and amazingly true - stories from her incomparable life. In November of 2004, an Iraqi RPG blew through the cockpit of Tammy Duckworth's US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The explosion, which destroyed her legs and mangled her right arm, was a turning point in her life. But as Duckworth shows in Every Day Is a Gift, that moment was just one in a lifetime of extraordinary turns.
The biracial daughter of an American father and a Thai-Chinese mother, Duckworth faced discrimination, poverty, and the horrors of war - all before the age of 16. As a child, she dodged bullets as her family fled war-torn Phnom Penh. As a teenager, she sold roses by the side of the road to save her family from hunger and homelessness in Hawaii. Through these experiences, she developed a fierce resilience that would prove invaluable in the years to come.
Duckworth joined the Army, becoming one of a handful of female helicopter pilots at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She served eight months in Iraq before an insurgent's RPG shot down her helicopter, an attack that took her legs - and nearly took her life. She then spent 13 months recovering at Walter Reed, learning to walk again on prosthetic legs and planning her return to the cockpit. But Duckworth found a new mission after meeting her state's senators, Barack Obama and Dick Durbin. After winning two terms as a US Representative, she won election to the US Senate in 2016. And she and her husband Bryan fulfilled another dream when she gave birth to two daughters, becoming the first sitting senator to give birth.
From childhood to motherhood and beyond, Every Day Is a Gift is the remarkable story of one of America's most dedicated public servants.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2021 Tammy Duckworth (P)2021 TwelveListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Raw, unfiltered, powerful, a compelling story of courage and determination against overwhelming odds. Tammy Duckworth is a true warrior who overcame a difficult upbringing, a glass ceiling, and a horrific helicopter shootdown to become one of the most respected senators on Capitol Hill. Nothing can stop her." (Adm. William H. McRaven (US Navy, ret.), New York Times best-selling author of Make Your Bed)
"EVERY DAY IS A GIFT isn’t your usual political memoir, but it is a quintessentially American story. Tammy Duckworth’s life journey - from a difficult, peripatetic childhood in Southeast Asia though serving in the U.S. Army, House, and now the Senate - is a story of amazing grit and determination, colored throughout by a love of this country and what it stands for." (Mitt Romney)
"'Soldier, Senator, Mother' - Tammy Duckworth is all these and more. She’s a woman who overcame childhood poverty, learned to fly, fought for our country - and then created a whole new life for herself when her old one was shattered by enemy fire. The word I would use for Tammy is 'inspiration,' which is what I felt upon reading this remarkable memoir." (Amy Klobuchar)
What listeners say about Every Day Is a Gift
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- Chantale
- 04-19-21
An amazing story of grit and determination
Wow! I was in tears through out the book! What an incredible human being! So inspirational!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Elidema Mireles
- 06-28-21
This book is a Gift
I was riveted and enthralled by Senator Duckworth’s life story. Rarely has a memoir affected me with the level of emotion and pride that I felt for the Senator. I was amazed at her truly opening up all of her life experiences and emotions. It is with admiration and respect that I recommend this story of this brave, strong, smart, hard-working and determined warrior for whom excellence and caring define her. It was a bonus to listen to her speak her truth.
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- Countrygirl
- 08-05-21
Great story!
I really enjoyed this story. It was very inspirational. I would definitely recommend it.
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- janrunner
- 06-02-21
Great book!
Senator Duckworth has been through it all. She hid nothing from her life’s story. She laid it bare. Her story is one of resistance and dedication. After reading her story I will never again whine about the small things! Truly an inspiration story.
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- Laurie
- 05-10-22
Worth every minute
A thoughtful and gut wrenching account of a life drenched in dedication, commitment and love for country and family. I loved it. Thank you Tammy!
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- Tony Szalay
- 08-27-22
“ If the only obstacle is effort, there is no obstacle“
Anyone who feels that life has not been fair to them should be required to read or listen to this book. It is not political. It is an awe inspiring autobiography of a living American hero who continues to live and fight for America, even when she had every right not to and give up.
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- Frank & Lois
- 04-03-21
a Winner
most memorable, she is a real leader of soldiers ♥ Thank you mam, makes us all proud
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- Precious Moore
- 12-24-22
Inspiring and captivating
I am amazed by Senator Tammy Duckworth’s story. She is a woman of great strength and character. She has overcome so many obstacles and horrible situations, yet she is still grateful. Her upbeat attitude, tenacious work ethic, and refusal to quit are inspiring. If she can survive and eventually thrive in the midst of her circumstances, then no one else has any excuses! This is a must read for everyone!
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- Classy
- 12-21-22
Tammy Duckworth Is A Remarkable Woman!
She is a Senator from the State of Illinois (and a damn fine one I might add), and I honored to have such a brave, determined. strong person represent me and my fellow Illinoisans represent me in the United States Senate. I am so proud of how she has triumphed all of the obstacles Tammy has triumphed over in her life! Tammy, you are an inspiration for us all!!!
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- Mary
- 04-07-21
Outstanding, gripping and inspiring
Tammy Duckworth should run for President. Anyone who can overcome losing their legs and an arm to become a United States senator AND birth two babies is one hell of a strong individual.
Duck with is a truly extraordinary human being.
This book is a great read.
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6 people found this helpful