A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times • NPR • The Guardian • Marie Claire 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.Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a global financial crisis, takes the measure of Vladimir Putin, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act, clashes with generals about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating
Deepwater Horizon blowout, and authorizes Operation Neptune’s Spear, which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden.
A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible.This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.
A Promised Land: A Memoir by Barack Obama
Summary:
In his deeply personal and profoundly reflective memoir, former President Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from his humble beginnings in Hawaii to the highest office in the United States. He narrates his political awakening as a young man, his time as a community organizer in Chicago, and his journey to the U.S. Senate and the presidency. With candor and honesty, Obama explores the pivotal moments of his presidency, from the financial crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Themes:
- The power of hope and the importance of perseverance.
- The challenges and triumphs of leadership.
- The role of race and identity in American society.
- The importance of unity and understanding in a divided world.
Why You Should Read This Book:
A Promised Land is an inspiring and thought-provoking memoir from one of the most significant figures of our time. Obama's writing is clear, engaging, and insightful, and he offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world.
About the Author:
Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to be elected to the presidency. Prior to his presidency, Obama served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois and as a community organizer in Chicago.
