Choosing the Hero

With harrowing tales, Levinson describes her adventures working in some of the most dangerous places on earth from Somalia to Iraq, early in her career dispatched by her boss, former Donald Trump campaign manager, Paul Manafort.  But it is her efforts on behalf of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that form the heart of CHOOSING THE HERO. Levinson chronicles her behind-the-scenes lobbying for the exiled Sirleaf in Washington, D.C. as well as her on-the-ground work in Liberia. It took three tries for Sirleaf to finally win the presidency in 2005. President Sirleaf won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2018, she oversaw the first peaceful, democratic transition of presidential power in Liberia in 75 years. 


Choosing the Hero can be read on many levels. It is an exciting narrative about Sirleaf's struggle to create a future for Liberia. It's a bird's-eye view of the inner workings of the lobbying and public relations business in Washington, D.C. and the making of U.S. foreign policy. But most of all, it is Riva Levinson's personal story of how she found a hero, fought for a worthy cause, and in the process, discovered her soul.


K. Riva Levinson is a leading strategist on international policy issues, and has managed highly complex projects in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. She has served as a chief advisor to Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf since 1997. Levinson received her bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and holds a master’s degree in national security studies from Georgetown University. Now the president and CEO of KRL International LLC, she resides in northern Virginia with her husband and two children. Choosing the Hero is her first book.


“Riva’s story reminds us that often the best, most challenging work comes to us when we least expect it and most need it. Her connection with President Sirleaf helped Liberia turn an important page in its history.” —U.S. SENATOR CHRIS COONS  


“Peace and democracy seemed far, far off to Liberians when brutal warlord Charles Taylor ruled. This fast-paced, crisply told story of Liberia’s rebirth under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is inspiring and impressively honest.” –U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ED ROYCE 


“A wonderful book about the extraordinary camaraderie between Africa’s first woman president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her loyal friend and political ally, Riva Levinson. . . . A must-read for all those interested in Liberia’s recent and turbulent history, and the immense power of friendship and loyalty.” –JOHNNIE CARSON, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs 


"This intriguing book provides both a unique perspective on how US foreign policy is made and a personal story of how choosing to fight for a worthy cause can change a person forever.”— amightygirl.com


"A riveting geopolitical thriller . . which only makes this true life story more compelling.  The voice is unique, authentic, and enlarges the world as we know it."

—Foreword Reviews



"Excellent Book!"  - Ruth Maclean, African correspondent, The Guardian 


"An excellent behind-the-scenes book chronicling the country's journey and Riva's."

—Forbes


"An inherently fascinating and consistently compelling account from beginning to end. Candid, detailed, informative and unique."

—Midwest Review of Books


Krissah Thompson for the Washington Post. "President Sirleaf drew an avid crowd Tuesday night to Politics and Prose where she helped to promote a book by Riva Levinson her longtime D.C. lobbyist, whose Choosing the Hero chronicles Sirleaf's path to the presidency."


"A Moving Memoir."

—CQ Journal/Roll Call



“An insightful tribute to a remarkable individual . . a  valuable inside look at the roles played by both foreign policy and public relations in turning a country around.”

—Politics and Prose Bookstore   

             

"A must-read for all those interested in Liberiaʼs recent and turbulent history, and the immense power of friendship and loyalty."  —Johnnie Carson, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs 

 

"A deeply moving story of two extraordinary women, from very different backgrounds, who worked together through thick and thin and achieved so much . . . I would highly recommend this book to all." —Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi

 

"A riveting and compelling story that restores oneʼs faith in humanity . . . a profound lesson to all of us on the vital importance of courage and perseverance to the pursuit of a life of purpose." —Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Nigeria

 

"Riva's connection with President Sirleaf helped Liberia turn an important page in its history and further cemented the long existing bond between our countries." —U.S. Senator Chris Coons

 

"Peace and democracy seemed far, far off to Liberians when brutal warlord Charles Taylor ruled.  This fast-paced, crisply told story of Liberiaʼs rebirth under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is inspiring and impressively honest." —U.S. Representative Ed Royce

 

 "Riva Levinson gives us a peek behind the curtain of how American foreign policy is formulated and practiced.  A thoroughly engaging read from cover to cover."

—U.S. Senator Jeff Flake  

 

"The inspiring story of two brilliant women who overcame the odds to make positive change in Liberia.  A must-read for any aspiring global change maker!"

—Dr. Rajesh Panjabi, CEO, Last Mile Health, Time's 100 Most Influential People 2016


"A book that reads like Le Carré, if Le Carré was a combination of killer politico and Tina Fey . . . smart, heartbreaking, funny, inspiring, and an unbelievably entertaining read." 

—Dan Gordon, screenwriter of The Hurricane


An extraordinary book . . above all, Choosing the Hero shines by showing how Washington DC can work." —Todd Moss, COO, Center for Global Development, author, international thriller series, Penguin Putnam