Obama: An Intimate Portrait

Pete Souza was the official White House photographer during Barack Obama's 8 years in the White House. This book is such a loving retrospective of what integrity looks like, and not only in comparison to the current circus that lives there now.

I think my favourite photo was one that probably everyone has seen by now, one Souza titled *Hair Like Mine*, where Obama is bending down so that the child of one of the employees of the White House can touch his (Obama's) head, as his answer to the child's question of whether his hair felt the same as his own. Another hilarious photo was one Souza took during the Easter Egg Hunt at the White House, a pic of Obama and the Easter Bunny, shot from the back. Obama, upon seeing the pic, asked for show more copies to give to his daughters, saying that these were the 2 most famous sets of ears in Washington.

There were two other poignant quotes that I took from this book. One was from Souza, in his explanation of the debt ceiling crisis, titled *On the Brink of Default*. He said: "...by July (2011) Congressional Republicans were using the debt ceiling as a form of blatant political blackmail. The next few weeks were dominated by this issue as the president met constantly to try to reason with leaders in Congress and with his economic team to prepare for the worst-case scenario of default. This is what governing looks like". (bold letters are mine)

The last quote was one that was penned by parents from Newtown after the horrific terrorist attack there: "Newtown is thankful that you are coming to help us heal. In times of adversity it is reassuring to know that we have a strong leader to help us recover."

Maybe because I am also listening to Michelle Obama read me her book on audio, at this same time (I'm a little over half way through it), but this family just packs such a powerful punch, when it comes to integrity and being role models. Will the world ever see the likes of them again? Hard to imagine…. show less

This book is a tall drink of cold sparkling water with a spritz of fresh lime after 363 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes, and 33 seconds of scorching, mind-numbing desert. (There is an actual counter!) Or I may simply be longing for a leader capable of speaking in complete sentences instead of 140 characters and capable of using words with more than a single syllable (sad). Phew, got that out of my system. Seriously, this is a tremendously well assembled visual biography of President Barack Obama. It is an eye-candy of thoughtfulness, warmth, integrity, intelligence, charm, honor – all things presidential plus so much more, a man, a husband, a father.

Pete Souza’s relationship with Obama started when Souza was working at the Chicago show more Tribune and took the first official photo of Obama on January 5,2005 – at the new Illinois U.S. Senator’s basement barren windowless office. Fast forward to January 2009, the incoming new President’s press secretary contacted Souza, offering him the job of the Chief Official White House Photographer. The only thing that Souza requested was complete and full access to everything Obama does, thereby embarking on an 8-year journey of 10 to 12 hour days, 5 to 7 days a week, resulting in nearly 2 million photos.

This photo biography is satisfyingly rich with numerous facets of Obama’s presidency presented chronologically. Very few are officially posted photos; Souza prided himself in his ability to be invisible, quietly capturing each moment, each emotion. The photos are accompanied by a caption including location and date. Some photos were historically educational, such as the capture/killed-in-action of Bin Laden (2011). His pain is genuine and transparent upon the news of the Sandy Hook school shooting (2012). Others raised fury such as the Congress’ refusal to raise debt ceiling, comparing to the recent cut in taxes for the rich and corporation (2013). The absolute best are photos of Obama and children; they love him. It’s as though children by instinct know he is a good man. One of his most iconic photos is titled “Hair Like Mine”; doesn’t every child need a role model that looks like oneself? Finally, Obama himself thanks Souza for the numerous family photos in the foreword. His family photos show a very personal side of Barack that makes him human and relatable.

It is a rarity for me to want to own such a book. At least in the foreseeable future, I know I will treasure this gorgeous book as I fondly remember a leader that I trust sitting in the Oval Office. show less

Best for: Anyone who wants to be reminded of what it’s like to have a compassionate, intelligent person as US President.

In a nutshell: Official White House Photographer Pete Souza shares a history of the Obama Presidency in photos and text.

Line that sticks with me: The very last photo, of President Obama looking at the White House from Executive (formerly Marine) One, made me tear up.

Why I chose it: My stepmother-in-law gifted my husband and I this massive book for Christmas. We’re moving overseas in less than two weeks but I don’t even care that we now have an extra five pounds to pack.

Review: Sigh. I know that President Obama was not perfect. He made some decisions that I disagree with. He was not as progressive as I would have show more likes. But damn, I strongly believe that he was — and is — a very good human being. A kind person. A loving parent and partner. An intelligent person interested in doing good things.

These are qualities that I believe are missing from the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And while that man does appear in two photos near the very end, the rest of this 350 page book documents — mostly in photos but also in words — what life is like for an active, engaged President. Specifically, what life was like for President Obama.

From extraordinarily challenging times like responding to the Sandy Hook massacre, to goofing off with his daughters or staffers’ children, this book captures it all. And yet you know it also shows just a small bit of what those eight years were like.

As I have said (probably more than necessary), we move to London in just a couple of weeks. This book will be coming with us. When I read about the latest thing the current President has done to harm the US, I’ll look back at this book and remember that we had someone who cared, and it is possible that we will have someone who cares again. show less

This oversized book chronicling Obama’s eight years in office is full of wonderful pictures, and offers a rather unexpected trip down memory lane. That is, while reading, we were filled with wonder: “Wow, remember the days when we didn’t know ANY of the names of the President’s staff?” And “Wow, remember the days when we could go about our lives not scared about the future?” And “Wow, remember when former presidents were invited to the White House?” And so on. The photos are exceptional, both informative and revealing, each one having a small caption to provide background information. I especially loved all the pics of Obama and kids and Obama and pets. Better times, for sure!

My daughter bought this for my birthday. I'm an Obama fan, but even for someone who's not, this book of photographs is an important piece of history as it records eight years in the life of our first black president and his family. At 347 pages, it's an extensive volume and includes details about each photo along with an introduction by Barack Obama. Some photos made me laugh and some cry, but all made me nostalgic for the leader we had not so long ago. One of the many photos that resonated with me was of a speech he was editing with all his notes and corrections. I doubt that much thought—or any thought—goes into the current administration's tweets.

An excellent collection of photographs put together to tell the story of the Obama Administration. While I would never go so far as to say I agreed with everything he's done or the decisions that he made, he made such decisions with respect to the job he had.

Souza portrays moments in the presidential life, but also moments that remind us that he is still, regardless of title, a human being, and a father. Souza shows intimacy between Barack and Michelle, and love between the whole family. Showcased also was his respect for former POTUS' and their families, but also his respect for people--the ones he worked with, yes, but also the everyday people he interacted with.

Noted, here and there, are poignant photos with longer captions and show more explanations--of what the moment meant, of what it meant for the people, and any story behind it. There are more than you think.

I highly recommend you at least borrow this book from your local library, if not buy a copy outright. show less

An exceptional book. I loved reading the stories behind the photos and to get Obama's take on being shadowed by a photographer. The pictures are wonderful! Some funny, some sweet, some heartbreaking. All with a great eye and they really capture the mood of the moment. This will be a treasure in anyone's library.