Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil

The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown

By: Lezley McSpadden

Narrated by: Lisa Reneé Pitts

This revelatory memoir by the mother of Michael Brown, the African American teenager killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, sheds light on one of the landmark events in recent history.

"I wasn't there when Mike Mike was shot. I didn't see him fall or take his last breath, but as his mother, I do know one thing better than anyone, and that's how to tell my son's story and the journey we shared together as mother and son," says Lezley McSpadden.

When Michael Orlandus Darrion Brown was born, he was adored and doted on by his aunts, his uncles, his grandparents, his father, and most of all his 16-year-old mother, who nicknamed him Mike Mike. McSpadden never imagined that her son's name would inspire the resounding chants of protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, and ignite the global conversation about the disparities in the American policing system. In Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil, McSpadden picks up the pieces of the tragedy that shook her life and the country to their core and reveals the unforgettable story of her life, her son, and their truth.

Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil is a riveting family memoir about the journey of a young woman triumphing over insurmountable obstacles and learning to become a good mother. With brutal honesty, McSpadden brings us inside her experiences: being raised by a hardworking single mother; her pregnancy at age 15 and the painful subsequent decision to drop out of school to support her son; how she survived domestic abuse; and her unwavering commitment to raising four strong and healthy children, even if it meant doing so on her own.

McSpadden writes passionately about the hours, days, and months after her son was shot to death by Officer Darren Wilson, recounting her time on the ground with peaceful protestors, how she was treated by police and city officials, and how she felt in the gut-wrenching moment when the grand jury announced that it would not indict the man who had killed her son.

After the system failed to deliver justice for Michael Brown, McSpadden and thousands of others across America took it upon themselves to carry on his legacy in the fight against injustice and racism. Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil is a portrait of our time, an urgent call to action, and a moving testament to the undying bond between mothers and sons.

©2016 Lezley McSpadden (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This production robs one’s breath while bestowing enlightenment.... Narrator Lisa Renee Pitts delivers a performance so believable and emotionally authentic that it reaches inside listeners and shakes their very souls. From the quiver in her voice, indicating a desperate attempt to hold back tears, to the genuine laughter erupting out of a heart overflowing with joy, Pitts forces listeners to experience the life-altering emotions of her subject.... This narration epitomizes the power of audiobooks." (AudioFile)

Tell them About Your Son

A must read. She does an excellent job, telling us who HER son was. I applaud her for reliving that nightmare, to bring the TRUTH about her son and his tragic death. I salute you.

A must read

Everyone should read this book. I am so glad we were able to see more than headlines and get to know who this young man and his family truly are.

Great Book!!!

Very well written Lesley Mcspadden. It was emotional,inspiring,interesting etc... Keep up the good work and you and your family remain in my Prayers!!!

The TRUTH

I really enjoyed this book. There are some emotional parts in the book. I had to take a break and do some deep breathing. I too have lost a son. Many parts I truly understood. May Mike Mike rest in paradise. I'm so glad I got the chance to get to learn about Mike Mike. Mrs Leslie, I pray that God continues to give you strength to endure.

rest in peace mike brown

Thank you for sharing your story and I'm truly sorry for your loss. Great book.