A Promised Land
by Barack Obama
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"In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency--a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil"--Tags
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Published reviews support this being one of the better presidential memoirs, a genre usually made dry as dust while promoting an "I did everything right" argument. This one is about as humble as you can imagine coming from a POTUS. Obama has no end of praise for the people around him, as if he only profited from their work, but he does allow that he has a talent for speech-writing. That clearly carries over into recording his memoirs. Obama chose every word himself (no one else has author credit). He is excellent in his descriptions and clarity. Given the wide-ranging issues and complexities, Obama has a real gift for simplifying his subject matter without dumbing it down. It's very important to him that everyone who reads his book show more understands the ins and outs, and often the history, something that he says didn't work in speeches but works very well here. Perhaps as he did this, he was also writing for the ages.
The shared details are sometimes surprising: the exact order of occupants in the series of cars driving to his inauguration, the safety features of Air Force One, etc. I presume all of this received some kind of vetting and clearance, and there may be a great deal more that he isn't telling us. He plays down Hollywood images: the Situation Room is nothing to marvel at, the interior of Air Force One is still 1980s decor and features worse wi-fi than private airlines, his state-of-the-art connection to Washington cut out while he was in Brazil, etc. But even while brushing off those illusions he almost creates a big one of his own: that the president's job is straightforward. I'd almost believe I could do it as well, if it is only a matter of having the decisions presented to me and choosing the least worst option according to my best advisors. Somehow, I think there's more to it. The answer lies partly hidden behind Obama's modesty, and partly by the simplified narrative. We only get one brief glimpse of the real overlap he faced in having to multitask many issues at once, during his telling of the Deepwater Horizon crisis.
He also writes insightfully about race relations, and especially about the image he projected during his first campaign. In chapter six he explores why he approached the campaign not as a champion for black rights but a champion for all of the downtrodden, whatever their background. There were consequences for what he did, risks he took, obvious on reflection but not visible in his constant smile: the fears of those behind the scenes who felt certain any black man aspiring to be President was certain to be shot at, supported by the secret service's warning that they had never seen so many threats against a candidate before.
On the political side, which of course is most of the content, Obama's theme may be summed up in this one line: "The Recovery Act passed the House 244 to 188 with precisely zero Republican votes. It was the opening salvo in a battle plan that McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, and the rest would employ with impressive discipline for the next eight years." It's a stark picture, and Obama attaches his opinion of what this strictly partisan attitude meant - and still means - for the state of his country. If Obama is being objective then the Republican party is in a very sorry state. If he's not (but how not?), perhaps he is jealous of the Republican party whip.
This memoir ends at not quite the conclusion of his first term, with the tracking down of Osama bin Laden. The NYT points out that Nelson Mandela told his entire life story in fewer pages, but Obama is telling his story so well that I can't see where he ought to have condensed it. I hardly followed his presidency from here in Canada while it was happening, but I've a greater appreciation now for what he accomplished while in office. Even if later it is for no other reason than because he was the first black President, I'm sure that he will remain under the historical microscope for as long as American history is studied. All of those studies, whether for or against him, are going to benefit enormously from this tremendous job he has committed to paper. show less
The shared details are sometimes surprising: the exact order of occupants in the series of cars driving to his inauguration, the safety features of Air Force One, etc. I presume all of this received some kind of vetting and clearance, and there may be a great deal more that he isn't telling us. He plays down Hollywood images: the Situation Room is nothing to marvel at, the interior of Air Force One is still 1980s decor and features worse wi-fi than private airlines, his state-of-the-art connection to Washington cut out while he was in Brazil, etc. But even while brushing off those illusions he almost creates a big one of his own: that the president's job is straightforward. I'd almost believe I could do it as well, if it is only a matter of having the decisions presented to me and choosing the least worst option according to my best advisors. Somehow, I think there's more to it. The answer lies partly hidden behind Obama's modesty, and partly by the simplified narrative. We only get one brief glimpse of the real overlap he faced in having to multitask many issues at once, during his telling of the Deepwater Horizon crisis.
He also writes insightfully about race relations, and especially about the image he projected during his first campaign. In chapter six he explores why he approached the campaign not as a champion for black rights but a champion for all of the downtrodden, whatever their background. There were consequences for what he did, risks he took, obvious on reflection but not visible in his constant smile: the fears of those behind the scenes who felt certain any black man aspiring to be President was certain to be shot at, supported by the secret service's warning that they had never seen so many threats against a candidate before.
On the political side, which of course is most of the content, Obama's theme may be summed up in this one line: "The Recovery Act passed the House 244 to 188 with precisely zero Republican votes. It was the opening salvo in a battle plan that McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, and the rest would employ with impressive discipline for the next eight years." It's a stark picture, and Obama attaches his opinion of what this strictly partisan attitude meant - and still means - for the state of his country. If Obama is being objective then the Republican party is in a very sorry state. If he's not (but how not?), perhaps he is jealous of the Republican party whip.
This memoir ends at not quite the conclusion of his first term, with the tracking down of Osama bin Laden. The NYT points out that Nelson Mandela told his entire life story in fewer pages, but Obama is telling his story so well that I can't see where he ought to have condensed it. I hardly followed his presidency from here in Canada while it was happening, but I've a greater appreciation now for what he accomplished while in office. Even if later it is for no other reason than because he was the first black President, I'm sure that he will remain under the historical microscope for as long as American history is studied. All of those studies, whether for or against him, are going to benefit enormously from this tremendous job he has committed to paper. show less
While I really enjoyed A Promised Land as a whole, I have to admit it’s best enjoyed one bite at a time. The audiobook is nearly 30 hours – a fairly long read! Because this is a presidential memoir, it’s also filled with political churnings. Regardless of your personal perspective, politics get exhausting after 30 hours. But all that said, I found the behind-the-scenes look fascinating.
There is so much packed into this book. The pacing starts off pretty steadily, with Obama speaking about his early campaigns and setting Michelle. As the book goes on and we get into his presidency, the pace picks up and so does the amount of information. By the end of A Promised Land, one significant event was packed in after another without time show more to breathe. It was a little anxiety-inducing for me, so I can’t imagine how stressful it was to actually be in charge of or on the receiving end of so many of the things discussed during the second half of the book.
There is a balanced voice to many of the things discussed here, but the further into the presidency we get, the clearer his own personal frustrations are. Since this is a memoir and not purely a piece of historical non-fiction, this is both fine and accepted. However, I do want to mention that the exasperation with Mitch McConnell and Republican senators is clear, and his commentary on Donald Trump is more harsh. This book will not sit well with stalwart Republicans and Trump fans, though for those who are interested in a rounded view of politics, it is still an important read.
Please don’t take this to mean Obama spends the book in bi-partisan bashing. In fact, there is a clear frustration with bi-partisanism and there are several instances where he praises Republican senators or representatives. In fact, it’s an interesting perspective on the shift of priorities in the Republican party during his presidency, which ultimately lead to the party as it is today.
It’s challenging to talk about a political memoir like this without showing my biases. I will be honest and say that I’ve always liked Obama and my reading of the book is a bit biased – I find it easy to sympathize with the frustrations his voices because they are many of the same things I feel myself. While objectively this book is extremely well-written and accessible, enjoyment of it will certainly fall to individual political views. I’m not sure there’s any way around that in a presidential memoir.
A Promised Land is an excellent read if you are interested in the Obama family or administration. It’s also good insight for a well-rounded political view. However, it’s important to be aware of the inherent biases coming from a memoir… and also know it’s a bit thick so take it slow. show less
There is so much packed into this book. The pacing starts off pretty steadily, with Obama speaking about his early campaigns and setting Michelle. As the book goes on and we get into his presidency, the pace picks up and so does the amount of information. By the end of A Promised Land, one significant event was packed in after another without time show more to breathe. It was a little anxiety-inducing for me, so I can’t imagine how stressful it was to actually be in charge of or on the receiving end of so many of the things discussed during the second half of the book.
There is a balanced voice to many of the things discussed here, but the further into the presidency we get, the clearer his own personal frustrations are. Since this is a memoir and not purely a piece of historical non-fiction, this is both fine and accepted. However, I do want to mention that the exasperation with Mitch McConnell and Republican senators is clear, and his commentary on Donald Trump is more harsh. This book will not sit well with stalwart Republicans and Trump fans, though for those who are interested in a rounded view of politics, it is still an important read.
Please don’t take this to mean Obama spends the book in bi-partisan bashing. In fact, there is a clear frustration with bi-partisanism and there are several instances where he praises Republican senators or representatives. In fact, it’s an interesting perspective on the shift of priorities in the Republican party during his presidency, which ultimately lead to the party as it is today.
It’s challenging to talk about a political memoir like this without showing my biases. I will be honest and say that I’ve always liked Obama and my reading of the book is a bit biased – I find it easy to sympathize with the frustrations his voices because they are many of the same things I feel myself. While objectively this book is extremely well-written and accessible, enjoyment of it will certainly fall to individual political views. I’m not sure there’s any way around that in a presidential memoir.
A Promised Land is an excellent read if you are interested in the Obama family or administration. It’s also good insight for a well-rounded political view. However, it’s important to be aware of the inherent biases coming from a memoir… and also know it’s a bit thick so take it slow. show less
The basic theme of this book is “I did the best I could,” and I think it is further evidence for the tragic reading of his presidency: The very thing that made him electable—his sincere and unflagging faith in the ability of white Americans to come together with Black Americans in particular—made him unable, both temperamentally and to a certain extent politically, to play hardball with Republican intransigience. One appalling thing I learned from the book is that their internal polling found that the controversy over his comments on Henry Louis Gates and the cop who arrested him on his own front porch caused his support to drop substantially among whites, and that support never returned. That’s a lot of racism.
I really enjoyed this memoir which tells about Barack Obama's growth into his role as the first Black American leader of the United States of America.
Told by Obama with his distinctive speech patterns, I found myself deeply engaged in topics that had never crossed my mind before. I lived through this time period but never knew just how near we were to financial collapse and what extraordinary measures were taken to keep the US out of a collapse. I didn't remember the Deepwater Horizon disaster at all and was intrigued by the government's response to it.
I was intrigued about the core of people who worked with Obama to help him reach his goals. I enjoyed his viewpoint on his colleagues, political opponents and the many world leaders he show more worked with while in office.
I came out of this listening experience with a deepened respect for Obama's leadership and character. I was reinforced in my belief that he was a fundamentally decent man who wanted to do more but was constrained by political realities. I was heartened by both his faith in America and his determination to make America a better place.
I enjoyed learning about his concern for the effect his political ambitions would have for his wife and daughters.
This story is only the beginning since it ends with the location and death of Osama bin Laden. I look forward to reading further volumes of his memoir.
Because of its length, I had thought that I would listen to a chapter or so a day. However, I was quickly swept up by the events Obama described and ended up listening to his story for three days. show less
Told by Obama with his distinctive speech patterns, I found myself deeply engaged in topics that had never crossed my mind before. I lived through this time period but never knew just how near we were to financial collapse and what extraordinary measures were taken to keep the US out of a collapse. I didn't remember the Deepwater Horizon disaster at all and was intrigued by the government's response to it.
I was intrigued about the core of people who worked with Obama to help him reach his goals. I enjoyed his viewpoint on his colleagues, political opponents and the many world leaders he show more worked with while in office.
I came out of this listening experience with a deepened respect for Obama's leadership and character. I was reinforced in my belief that he was a fundamentally decent man who wanted to do more but was constrained by political realities. I was heartened by both his faith in America and his determination to make America a better place.
I enjoyed learning about his concern for the effect his political ambitions would have for his wife and daughters.
This story is only the beginning since it ends with the location and death of Osama bin Laden. I look forward to reading further volumes of his memoir.
Because of its length, I had thought that I would listen to a chapter or so a day. However, I was quickly swept up by the events Obama described and ended up listening to his story for three days. show less
The long awaited and highly praised first portion of former President Barack Obama's memoir covers the period from his move to Chicago after he graduated from Harvard Law School to the successful operation that eliminated Osama bin Laden in May 2011. We meet an idealistic and driven young man, whose outlook on life and desire to use his education and position for positive change was most strongly influenced by his mother and maternal grandmother, then by his future wife Michelle, who was assigned to work with him during his internship with a Chicago law firm. His meteoric rise from a law school professor and local community organizer on the city's South Side, to an Illinois state senator, a US senator and the Democratic nominee for the show more presidency is chronicled with as much rapidity as it happened in real time, due to his unique ability to tap into the fears, hopes and dreams of a wide variety of Americans, from African American Chicagoans crushed by poverty, to smalll town and rural White Illinoisans who were equally affected by the loss of good manufacturing jobs and increasing unaffordability of health care and other household expenses. Throughout the book we see a man who is a good and compassionate listener, who is not only willing to pay attention and respect to everyone he meets, regardless of race, standing, position, or country, but also actively seeks their thoughts and opinions, regardless of whether that person supports or agrees with him or not, which is his greatest strength as a man, and as one of this country's greatest and most respected presidents by the citizens of the world.
Obama portrays himself as flawed, all too human, and his own greatest critic, as he is harsher on himself than practically anyone else, save for the most obstreperous and despicable politicians and leaders within and outside of the United States. He repeatedly credits his amazing wife Michelle for her support throughout his political career, largely at the expense of her own goals and personal wishes, for keeping him level headed, and for ensuring that their daughters, Sasha and Malia, had as normal as life as possible during the very abnormal circumstances and white hot spotlight that they faced, especially from the extreme right wing politicians and media and those who subscribed to their racist rhetoric.
The strengths of this book are Obama's writing style, which makes the reader feel as if he is having a personal conversation with the former president while sharing a drink in a local pub or restaurant, his ability to explain complicated topics in a clear and concise manner, such as the 2007-2008 global financial crisis that he inherited from his predecessor and successfully managed, the push to pass the Affordable Care Act that provided millions of Americans with health care security for themselves and their families, and the difficult and sticky foreign policy problems he and this country faced, in Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, Egypt and other hot spots. His personal portrayals of leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hu Jintao, Hosni Mubarak and others were also enlightening and informative. Just as meaningful are his descriptions of those closest to him, as he acknowledges the importance of the members of his Cabinet, and also gives equal time to his closest aides, including his body man Reggie Love, a former two sport man at Duke, who was as instrumental in keeping him grounded and sane as anyone outside of his immediate family.
A Promised Land is a remarkable and compelling memoir told by a gifted and insightful writer, which engaged and entertained this reader from the first page to the last. It is a valuable addition to the memoirs and biographies of American presidents, and as such it deserves to be widely read by everyone, even those who did not support him. This book absolutely lives up to the hype about it, and I eagerly look forward to the book(s) that cover the remaining six years of his presidency. show less
Obama portrays himself as flawed, all too human, and his own greatest critic, as he is harsher on himself than practically anyone else, save for the most obstreperous and despicable politicians and leaders within and outside of the United States. He repeatedly credits his amazing wife Michelle for her support throughout his political career, largely at the expense of her own goals and personal wishes, for keeping him level headed, and for ensuring that their daughters, Sasha and Malia, had as normal as life as possible during the very abnormal circumstances and white hot spotlight that they faced, especially from the extreme right wing politicians and media and those who subscribed to their racist rhetoric.
The strengths of this book are Obama's writing style, which makes the reader feel as if he is having a personal conversation with the former president while sharing a drink in a local pub or restaurant, his ability to explain complicated topics in a clear and concise manner, such as the 2007-2008 global financial crisis that he inherited from his predecessor and successfully managed, the push to pass the Affordable Care Act that provided millions of Americans with health care security for themselves and their families, and the difficult and sticky foreign policy problems he and this country faced, in Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine, Egypt and other hot spots. His personal portrayals of leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hu Jintao, Hosni Mubarak and others were also enlightening and informative. Just as meaningful are his descriptions of those closest to him, as he acknowledges the importance of the members of his Cabinet, and also gives equal time to his closest aides, including his body man Reggie Love, a former two sport man at Duke, who was as instrumental in keeping him grounded and sane as anyone outside of his immediate family.
A Promised Land is a remarkable and compelling memoir told by a gifted and insightful writer, which engaged and entertained this reader from the first page to the last. It is a valuable addition to the memoirs and biographies of American presidents, and as such it deserves to be widely read by everyone, even those who did not support him. This book absolutely lives up to the hype about it, and I eagerly look forward to the book(s) that cover the remaining six years of his presidency. show less
A Promised Land by Barack Obama is a 2020 Crown publication.
The best we can do is to try to align ourselves with what we feel is right and construct some meaning out of our confusion, and with grace and nerve play at each moment the hand that we’re dealt.
I have read one or two presidential biographies and loads of books about the Kennedy’s, but I’ve never read a presidential memoir…. Until now…
I don’t know that I could add anything special or unique in this review that others haven’t already mentioned really. I think it goes without saying that the book is very well written, intelligent, thoughtful and sincere.
I enjoyed the private peak into his upbringing, how he and Michelle met, and learned more about his early career show more in politics. Hearing him speak of these important and tender moments in his life has a real intimacy to it one would never get by reading a standard biography.
One could also feel the real tension and excitement surrounded his first campaign for president, especially when it looked as though he might have a real shot at winning.
From there, he muses on what it felt like really be the president of the United States. I also felt it was a little amusing to read about his first meeting with other world leaders, how serious he took the first summits he attended, and how he quickly caught on to all the pomp and circumstance- not really becoming jaded- just more seasoned as time went on.
This is a thick book, and it took me a little time to get through it. The first portions are easy reading, with Obama’s charm shining through, especially when he speaks about Michelle, and his daughters. His optimism, and idealism was palpable, and it was easy to get caught up in his enthusiasm.
Once we got the White House years, the wheels of politics and realism tamps down on some of that, and the office takes its toll on family life too.
Reading this book, I got a much better understanding of the mechanics of the job, from someone who takes it to heart, the obstacles, and triumphs, and how weighty the pressure can be. I also think I understood President Obama better from a personal standpoint, too.
Overall, I found the book to be informative, interesting, and was also like receiving a history lesson. Obama’s first term in office seems like such a long time ago now, reliving the challenges he faced during that time, and through the benefit of hindsight, was also enlightening and thought provoking.
Now, for the record, I do not ever gush over presidents or politicians. I don’t think it’s healthy to have blind faith in them, even if you respect them, or admire them. It’s always good to think for yourself, to question the answers, and challenge leaders, to hold them accountable. No president is perfect, mistakes are made, there are poor judgment calls sometimes, bad advice is given, and policies will be popular with some, but not all.
That said, I really miss Obama in a palpable way, which is something I never experience with any other president, and frankly, it was good to hear from him again.
There is not a Black America and a white America and a Latino America and an Asian America. There’s the United States of America.
Amen! show less
The best we can do is to try to align ourselves with what we feel is right and construct some meaning out of our confusion, and with grace and nerve play at each moment the hand that we’re dealt.
I have read one or two presidential biographies and loads of books about the Kennedy’s, but I’ve never read a presidential memoir…. Until now…
I don’t know that I could add anything special or unique in this review that others haven’t already mentioned really. I think it goes without saying that the book is very well written, intelligent, thoughtful and sincere.
I enjoyed the private peak into his upbringing, how he and Michelle met, and learned more about his early career show more in politics. Hearing him speak of these important and tender moments in his life has a real intimacy to it one would never get by reading a standard biography.
One could also feel the real tension and excitement surrounded his first campaign for president, especially when it looked as though he might have a real shot at winning.
From there, he muses on what it felt like really be the president of the United States. I also felt it was a little amusing to read about his first meeting with other world leaders, how serious he took the first summits he attended, and how he quickly caught on to all the pomp and circumstance- not really becoming jaded- just more seasoned as time went on.
This is a thick book, and it took me a little time to get through it. The first portions are easy reading, with Obama’s charm shining through, especially when he speaks about Michelle, and his daughters. His optimism, and idealism was palpable, and it was easy to get caught up in his enthusiasm.
Once we got the White House years, the wheels of politics and realism tamps down on some of that, and the office takes its toll on family life too.
Reading this book, I got a much better understanding of the mechanics of the job, from someone who takes it to heart, the obstacles, and triumphs, and how weighty the pressure can be. I also think I understood President Obama better from a personal standpoint, too.
Overall, I found the book to be informative, interesting, and was also like receiving a history lesson. Obama’s first term in office seems like such a long time ago now, reliving the challenges he faced during that time, and through the benefit of hindsight, was also enlightening and thought provoking.
Now, for the record, I do not ever gush over presidents or politicians. I don’t think it’s healthy to have blind faith in them, even if you respect them, or admire them. It’s always good to think for yourself, to question the answers, and challenge leaders, to hold them accountable. No president is perfect, mistakes are made, there are poor judgment calls sometimes, bad advice is given, and policies will be popular with some, but not all.
That said, I really miss Obama in a palpable way, which is something I never experience with any other president, and frankly, it was good to hear from him again.
There is not a Black America and a white America and a Latino America and an Asian America. There’s the United States of America.
Amen! show less
First of all, read this book. I've even recommended it to my friends on the other side of the political spectrum - unsuccessfully, of course. Second, this is not your typical presidential memoir, and I've read a lot of this type of book. The writing is so narratively driven, it feels like reading a fiction book. And seeing behind the curtain on so many recent cultural and political events is a treat. President Obama is not preachy, he's inspiring. It was a pleasure to read, only disappointing in that the second volume wasn't at my fingertips yet.
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Obama, A Promised Land - Introductions and general in One LibraryThing, One Book (December 2020)
Author Information
President Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He graduated with a degree in political science from Columbia University in 1983. Before moving to Chicago in 1985, he worked at Business International Corporation and then at the New York Public Interest Research Group. In Chicago, he worked as a community organizer with show more low-income residents. He entered Harvard Law School in 1988, was elected editor of the Harvard Law Review in 1990, and graduated in 1991. After graduating law school, he returned to Chicago and became a civil rights lawyer. He also taught at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. In 1997, he was elected to the Illinois State Senate and served until 2004. In 2000, he made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2005, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. In 2007, he announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. On November 4, 2008, Obama defeated John McCain in the general election and became the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. He wrote Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance in 1995 and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream in 2006. He won Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Awards in 2006 and 2008 for abridged audiobook versions of both books. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. His book Of Thee I Sing came out in 2010. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Promised Land
- Original title
- A Promised Land
- Original publication date
- 2020-11-17
- People/Characters
- Barack Obama; Michelle Obama; Ann Dunham; Madelyn Dunham; Malia Obama; Sasha Obama (show all 35); Marian Robinson; Joe Biden; John Boehner; John Brennan; Carol Browner; George W. Bush; Hillary Clinton; Bill Daley; Jon Favreau; Robert Gates; Tim Geithner; Robert Gibbs; Eric Holder; Valerie Jarrett; Jim Jones; John McCain; Stanley McChrystal; Mitch McConnell; Denis McDonough; William McRaven; Dmitry Medvedev; Angela Merkel; Mike Mullen; Vladimir Putin; Osama bin Laden; Muammar al-Gaddafi; Hosni Mubarak; Sarah Palin; Donald Trump
- Important places
- Afghanistan (war | 2001-2021); Iraq (war | 2003-2011); USA (2009-2011); Gulf of Mexico (Deepwater Horizon oil spill | 2010); Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington, D.C., USA (show all 7); The White House, Washington, D.C., USA
- Important events
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021); Iraq War (2003-2011); financial crises (2007-2008); United States presidential election (2008); Fort Hood shooting (2009-11-05); Northwest Airlines Flight 253 (2009-12-25) (show all 9); Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010-04-20); Arab Spring (2010-2012); Killing of Osama bin Laden (2011)
- Epigraph
- O, fly and never tire,
Fly and never tire,
Fly and never tire,
There's a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.
------------from an african american spiritual
Don't discount our powers;
We have made a pass
At the infinite.
-------------Robert Frost, "Kitty Hawk" - Dedication
- To Michelle---my love and life's partner
and
Malia and Sasha-----whose dazzling light makes everything brighter - First words
- [Preface] I began writing this book shortly after the end of my presidency--after Michelle and I had boarded Air Force One for the last time and traveled west for a long-deferred break.
Of all the rooms and halls and landmarks that make up the White House and its grounds, it was the West Colonnade that I loved best. - Quotations
- For war was contradiction, as was the history of America.
Looking back, I sometimes ponder the age-old question of how much difference the particular characteristics of individual leaders make in the sweep of history---whether those of us who rise to power are mere conduits for the ... (show all)deep, relentless currents of the times or whether we're at least partly the authors of what's to come. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Marine One began to shudder a bit in a way that was now familiar to me, signaling the final descent as it approached the South Lawn, and I looked down at the street below, still thick with rush-hour traffic--fellow commuters, I thought, anxious to get home.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Preface] More than anyone, this book is for those young people--an invitation to once again remake the world, and to bring about, through hard work, determination, and a big dose of imagination, an America that finally aligns with all that is best in us. - Original language
- English
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