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An Unexpected Life

A Memoir

Hardcover
5"W x 7-1/2"H | 12 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Sep 22, 2026 | 256 Pages | 9780593978177

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Gloria Steinem offers an inspiring and candid memoir of her early life and the journey that made her one of the world’s most influential activists and storytellers, alongside a clear-eyed, urgent message for new generations about what the next chapters of the fight for equality will demand

Before she became a feminist leader, Gloria Steinem was a curious child: going on road trips with her itinerant father, caring for her mother, and devouring every book she could find. In An Unexpected Life, Steinem reflects on the unlikely experiences and pivotal moments—from a childhood rat bite that opened her eyes to the dangers of poverty to the 1970 Women’s March honoring the right to vote—that shaped the visionary woman she would become.

She shares her years living in India, learning from the nonviolent movement there, and her travels around the world advocating for women’s rights. Along the way, she honors the people who influenced her most, including trailblazers, writers, and thinkers who expanded her understanding of power, community, justice, and solidarity.

Moving between past and present, Steinem examines the progress and setbacks of six decades of activism. As she reflects on the movements she helped build and the victories won for women’s and human rights, she also looks ahead, urging new generations to imagine bolder, more inclusive paths forward.

Intimate, funny, and rich with hard-earned wisdom, An Unexpected Life offers readers the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of feminism’s most enduring voices as we continue the work of building a better future for all.
© Gia McKenna
Gloria Steinem is a writer, activist, and cofounder of Ms. magazine. A bestselling author and pioneering journalist, she has been a central figure in feminist movements worldwide for more than six decades. Gloria’s home is the heart of Gloria's Foundation and has become renowned as a magnetic and life-changing center for feminists and activist thinkers from around the world. View titles by Gloria Steinem
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“Gloria Steinem has long been, and will forever be, the light guiding the way for so many of us. Her energy, passion, clarity, and unrelenting optimism have invigorated generations of women to channel our rage into change. Her entire life has been a love letter and a battle cry for us. The fight is far from over, but she has instilled me with an absolute certainty that we can win.”—Jameela Jamil, actor, writer, and advocate

About

Gloria Steinem offers an inspiring and candid memoir of her early life and the journey that made her one of the world’s most influential activists and storytellers, alongside a clear-eyed, urgent message for new generations about what the next chapters of the fight for equality will demand

Before she became a feminist leader, Gloria Steinem was a curious child: going on road trips with her itinerant father, caring for her mother, and devouring every book she could find. In An Unexpected Life, Steinem reflects on the unlikely experiences and pivotal moments—from a childhood rat bite that opened her eyes to the dangers of poverty to the 1970 Women’s March honoring the right to vote—that shaped the visionary woman she would become.

She shares her years living in India, learning from the nonviolent movement there, and her travels around the world advocating for women’s rights. Along the way, she honors the people who influenced her most, including trailblazers, writers, and thinkers who expanded her understanding of power, community, justice, and solidarity.

Moving between past and present, Steinem examines the progress and setbacks of six decades of activism. As she reflects on the movements she helped build and the victories won for women’s and human rights, she also looks ahead, urging new generations to imagine bolder, more inclusive paths forward.

Intimate, funny, and rich with hard-earned wisdom, An Unexpected Life offers readers the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of feminism’s most enduring voices as we continue the work of building a better future for all.

Creators

© Gia McKenna
Gloria Steinem is a writer, activist, and cofounder of Ms. magazine. A bestselling author and pioneering journalist, she has been a central figure in feminist movements worldwide for more than six decades. Gloria’s home is the heart of Gloria's Foundation and has become renowned as a magnetic and life-changing center for feminists and activist thinkers from around the world. View titles by Gloria Steinem

Praise

“Gloria Steinem has long been, and will forever be, the light guiding the way for so many of us. Her energy, passion, clarity, and unrelenting optimism have invigorated generations of women to channel our rage into change. Her entire life has been a love letter and a battle cry for us. The fight is far from over, but she has instilled me with an absolute certainty that we can win.”—Jameela Jamil, actor, writer, and advocate
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