Rise: Life Lessons in Speaking Out, Standing Tall & Leading the Way

by Gina Miller

Gina Miller came to prominence when she brought one of the most significant constitutional cases ever to be heard in the British Supreme Court. Gina successfully challenged the UK government's authority to trigger Article 50 - the formal notification to leave the European Union - without parliamentary approval. For standing up for what she believed was right, Miller became the target of not just racist and sexist verbal abuse, but physical threats to herself and her family.

She was repeatedly asked: how could she keep going at the cost of so much pain and aggravation? To her the answer was obvious: she'd been doing it all her life.

In Rise, Gina Miller draws on a lifetime of fighting injustice and looks at the moments that made her; the trauma, failures and successes that gave her the confidence in her voice, the ability to know how to use it and the strength not to let others diminish it, even when it came at incredible cost. To those who say one person cannot make a difference, this memoir demonstrates irrefutably how you can.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Current Affairs

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 30, 2018

Reviews

[Sanjay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering, inspiring and Moving! And shocking at what one Individual has went through when all they have have done is fight for a fairer and better future! A great book and recommended!!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gina Miller has come to prominence since she took on the government over its cavalier attitude to legal procedure in its determination to secure Brexit at any cost. Ms. Miller has come a long way from her privileged childhood in Guyana, a British boarding school education, and a legal and business career, via two unhappy, and a third very happy marriage. She has dealt with racism, vitriolic and frightening hate campaigns with courage and grace. This is quite quickly read: Ms. Miller comes across as courageous, feisty and determined... though inevitably, probably not the easiest of companions, though someone excellent to have fighting your corner. An interesting read.

[Steve Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of journey in a relatively compact package. Ms Miller was already a hero to me before I received this book as a gift, purely on the strength of her public actions in defence of democracy and the upholding of legal authority over the last few years. Having learned of her incredible journey, her discipline, resolve and bravery in the face of the toughest of circumstances and some abhorrent abuse, I am in total awe. Also quite aware that she would probably find that, of all things, difficult to accept.

The book itself, though small and quickly manageable, reads like a combination of part autobiography, part well-referenced essay, and part helpful guidance. But as a whole, the narrative flows easily, at times hard-hitting, heart-wrenching, and strikingly ordinary and vulnerable.

Very much recommended, to anyone who has admired Ms Miller, and perhaps even more so to those who have read any of the many negative pieces levelled at her.

After all, one of this book's enduring themes is that making time to listen to the stories that we live builds empathy and understanding. And that can only help to create a better society.

A powerful memoir carrying a beautiful message of hope.

[Kizanne James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately interesting, self-acknowledged privileged perception of life experience. Nevertheless her resolve and hard work is impressive admist such great opposition. Worth the read, but wouldn't recommend as a priority read.

[Parastou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, we all get comfortable. Sometimes we need a gentle kick up the ass to get s£!t done. This book is a kick up the ass so hard, it'll make your ancestors dizzy!

Gina Miller is, straight up, a pretty incredible woman. She has had the best and worst experiences, and she has not faltered. She has taken on the biggest institutions and won - justly and fairly so. And she rarely gets thanks for it.

Well I want to say thank you. Thank you for being the voice of reason in the Brexit debacle, for speaking out clearly in a sea of white noise, and for not giving up, no matter the unfair and brutal harassment you face daily.

Thank you for sharing so honestly a difficult story. Thank you for being an inspiration to countless. And thank you for kicking me up the butt. I can do more, and I will do more to fight the prejudices so many feel on a day to day basis.

I cannot explain how important it is to read this book. For everyone. Especially if you need a motivational kick up the butt too!

[Iain Snelling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have every respect for Gina Miller, and particularly her strength in opposing the illegality of the government during the Brexit process. This book fills in some personal details rather than analyse her Brexit role from her perspective, and although it has some interesting and relevant details of her life, it is full of platitudes and irritating paragraphs with evidence quoted uncritically to support whatever point she is making. It is ghost written (written with) and it shows. Disappointing.

[Mohammad Al-ubaydli · Rating 2 out of 5]

She can do better, this book is a letdown of her intellect

I really want to like Gina Miller as she has an inspirational background and work ethic. But her book is tediously negative and full of lazy thinking.

She absolutely should be treated better in the press and there is no excuse for the sexist and racist messages she receives. She certainly did the country a favour with her legal challenges.

But I expected better from her in her book and did not receive it. Not everyone who disagrees with her is sexist and racist, and she had an opportunity in the book - away from the thugs of social media - to write something intelligent and factual. She is highly capable of doing this. It’s sad that she did not in the book.

[Zhiheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gina Miller tells some of her life experiences as stories to the reader. Some of them have a moral theme, some of them provide insights and information on the topic of Brexit. Other stories are incredibly personal; Gina's courage to reveal so many vulnerable parts of herself is inspiring to us all.

Overall, I think this book has been well written! I would give it 4.5 stars. (I had to deduct 0.5 stars because I feel the book could be polished a little bit more - the end feels a little bit rushed...)

Well done Gina!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know what? I really enjoyed this.

I'm not quite sure what I thought I'd be getting myself into when I decided to add this to my audible library, but I was certainly not disappointed.

It was definitely more than a explanation of why she decided to sue the government, or her reflections on the matter. It was an inspirational call for people to stand up for what they believe in, and the provision of tools for people to use when they feel they can't go on any more - which I really appreciated.

Miller is classy woman who's taken an admirable if not tough journey through life, and yet, has managed to maintain an incredibly positive and loving outlook. I cannot stress enough how uplifting this book is, despite some really harrowing experiences she shares: from the horrors of being villainised during her bid to establish Parliamentary soverienty, to the trauma of surviving domestic abuse, she really doesn't hide anything.

Rise is a riches to rags to riches story. A funny one to listen to given the fact i'm simultaneously reading The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?.

Miller ends Rise with a plea for people to be more open about themselves, encouraging readers to share their own stories so we may learn and gain more empathy and insight into others. This I thought was a lovely note to end the book on.

I truly recommend this one, there's certain level of grit and honesty to which everything is told, that makes me believe that it can help a number of people through tough times.

[Lamisse Bajunaid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gina Miller is a very intriguing personality with a fascinating story. The chapters telling her story were interesting, but overall the book was a little disappointing for two reasons. First, most of the stories of her life were very briefly told. Second, the book contained many statistics, opinions and advice that was not sufficiently analyzed or argued. I believe this book did not do her story justice.

[Yvette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire Gina Miller greatly. Her book indicates the amount of sexist, racist and ignorant abuse she receives for the work she does. In order to keep going, she says frequently in her book, that she creates an armour. This is also why I didn't really get a sense of her vulnerabilities or more of a depth to her. She swept over some of the terrible experiences she had. That's how she has done it, by building an armour.

[Sandy Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller has a perspective that many of us could learn from. The book has its good points and bad, but the theme of resilience and the place it comes from for her is both interesting and important. Definitely worth reading.

[Madalina Brait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unconvinced by this book for the first few chapters as I found it terribly focused on hate and negative events. However what a turn around after! Do stick with it, it’s definitely worth it.
A few very precious life lessons learned from it. Definitely recommend

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deeply impressive woman with a fascinating life story. Unfortunately I knew most of the detail from having listened to her on the "How to Fail' podcast' which was great. The book didn't add much, was a bit disjointed and lacking in reflection to be really good. Enjoyed it tho...

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. She shares a lot of sense, courage and determination in the face of appalling vitriol

[Gabriele Siino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in 2018

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an inspirational thought provoking book.

[Gesine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and uplifting. I think she’s amazing.

[Ariane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but some dubious unsubstantiated conclusions on young people and social media. I also feel like the audio could have been edited better.

[Keith Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir confirms what I already believed - that Gina Miller is an inspiring woman: humane, intelligent, honest

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very enjoyable to read, Gina Miller is a very impressive woman, humble and intelligent, she is very open about her life, an incredible read. The image we want to see from Great Britain!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me admire Gina even more!

[tarmis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable

An excellent read with a great message for women. Believe in yourself, empathy and knowing you can always do better.

[Safwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great life examples on how to stand firm on justice.

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have added respect for Gina Miller after reading her story.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heart ❤️ Gina what a wonderful wonderful human

[Uzoamaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational and powerful book that charts her life from birth to here and all the stages in between, how telling the truth gets one in trouble but at the same time is the best policy. You can read and see her values all the way through so you know it pays to stand up and RISE (by the way the name is inspired by Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I rise’).

[Christiane Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring read. She is a true role model for speaking up and courage. Many good tips for women in business and life in general. Truely recommended!