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Loading... The Bridgeby David RemnickNone. "Why are you reading that?" someone asked. I started because of the reviews I read but Remnick's thoughtful biography of Barack Obama soon captured my attention for the several days it took me to read it. Remnick tries to be objective and analytical, which makes for an interesting analysis of who our current President is and the people and circumstances that have shaped his character and views. (  ) nmele | Apr 6, 2013 |  I felt like I was on the journey of self-discovery with Obama through his early years until his presidency. Peripheral characters were also well developed as well as the story of race in America. (  ) lindap69 | Apr 5, 2013 | If you've read Dreams From My Father, this is a fascinating look at the story behind the story. Remnick does a ton of research into Obama's contacts and claims, and also provides historical background to many of the facets of Obama's life. It covers the ground from Obama's grandparents' history to his inauguration. I found it quite an engaging read and, while it's definitely sympathetic, it's definitely a little broader a perspective than an autobiography. ( ) JeremyPreacher | Mar 30, 2013 | An illuminating treatment of an overexposed subject. Highlights the ruthlessness and ambition, as well as the achievement. ( ) jontseng | Jan 5, 2011 | I found the style of this book hard but, it was well worth reading to the end. My complaint is that it is written in that modern style whereby history is not chronological. One found oneself in 2008, then 1998, then 2001 within a few pages. Mr. Remnick also has a habit of introducing a character and going off into a five or six page biography of him or her: I found that this made the book a little disjointed, in places. Having been critical, let me now turn to the positive side of this work. Remnick turns out a biography of a real man, when it would have been easy to make Obama a fully fledged 'underpants on top of the trousers' hero. opponents are criticised, on occasion, but also got praise. The greatest compliment that I can give to any biography is that I feel that I know the subject a little better for having read it. I now feel that Barack Obama is a man that I know considerably better: thank you Mr. Remnick. (  ) the.ken.petersen | Nov 27, 2010 |
 The Bridge may actually be ahead of its time. The events in it are so well-known right now that its scholarship may resonate better in 20 years, after Obama's presidency has truly become history. Future generations who haven't just lived through what it documents may find this book riveting. The Bridge, in short, may be like young wine -- requiring time for its value and quality to emerge in full force. Or, it may be like Obama's Nobel Peace Prize -- a massive achievement that has been issued, perhaps, prematurely.  If the outlines of the story told in “The Bridge” are highly familiar, Mr. Remnick has filled in those broad outlines with insight and nuance. Remnick has written a near-definitive study of Obama from 1961 to 2009. If "The Bridge" fails in any regard, it's in recycling a lot of shopworn stories -- but this, of course, can't be helped.
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