Short Synopsis
Brick by Brick is Karen Sherman's personal account of her year spent in Rwanda working with women survivors of war.

Full Synopsis
After a twenty-five-year career spent fighting for women's rights around the globe at the expense of time with her family, Karen Sherman looked around and realized she didn't really know her children and felt little connection to her husband. With her world—work, marriage, family—crashing down, she made the rash decision to move to Rwanda with her three sons, an experiment she dubbed "our year of living dangerously."

While her boys attended the international school, she worked to better the lives of women survivors of war. But as the survivors shared their stories of grit and determination, building lives and raising families despite the brutal challenges of war, genocide, and inequality, Karen began to see how her work was connected to the abuse in her own past, and how it was preventing her from becoming the woman she wanted to be. The struggles of these survivors, she realized, were the struggles of women everywhere, regardless of place or circumstance: striving to balance work and family, fighting for real options and choices, trying to make their voices heard.

In the end, the journey brings her home to her family and to a renewed commitment to fighting for women around the world to live free from violence and abuse, in peace and with dignity.

"[An] engaging memoir . . . This inspiring account folds in aspects of forgiveness and growth: stepping stones to a brighter future." -Booklist

"A moving, fascinating story filled with emotional highs and lows, adventures and setbacks--and a large dose of wisdom. Every woman will relate to aspects of Brick by Brick and be inspired." -Melanne Verveer, former United States ambassador for global women's issues

"Karen Sherman tells her poignant story of being a mother, a successful leader, and an advocate for women worldwide in Brick by Brick. Her empathy for women who have been victims of violence, abuse, and disempowerment is inspirational, and her story truly has the unique power to connect the stories of women everywhere." -Joyce Banda, former president of Malawi

"As a survivor and advocate for those suffering in neglected parts of the world, I was touched on many levels by Karen's journey. Her grit and courage are a gift to the countless women and girls she's dedicated her life to lifting up. Her fierce personal honesty will inspire all who read this wonderful book." -Ashley Judd, actor, author, and humanitarian

"Karen Sherman's personal and inspiring account of her family's experience living in Rwanda for a year and the many life lessons that came from her work with women survivors is an easy and compelling read for anyone who strives to be a global citizen--and raise global citizens." -Lauren Bush Lauren, founder and CEO of FEED