A Promised Land
By Barack Obama
- Release Date: 2020-11-17
- Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Description
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 REVIEW AND PEOPLE
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times • NPR • The Guardian • Slate • Vox • The Economist • Marie Claire
In the stirring 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.
Reviews
Now the truth is out
1By Jackpot Poker is my new FaveTruth revealed make sure you are getting uncensored info. Otherwise you are part of the problem. How is the that new America going everyone? 😂A detailed account of Obama’s presidency
5By MiragroaneA great read! A first hand account of his life, campaign and presidency.Great book!
5By BENMWILSON444A terrific look into the life/presidency of Barack Obama. Highly recommend.As a former service member
5By ChrisShortReading this book is helping me to bring closure to some of the really dark days of my time in service. I appreciate President Obama’s candid nature and ability to make me look up certain words. This is a great book of what it was like during the run up and early presidential days of the man we all know as President Barack Obama.Wonderful
1By WambutAn excellent recount of Americas greatest presidentGreat Read!
5By 'Nette SimonLoved the book. Although I’m not interested in politics, it was great reading about how decisions are made. And because I’m in the military, I have a great appreciation for how much the book contains different historical events that involve our military. Well Done President Obama!Thoughtful and Intelligent
5By Oregon SpartanWhat a great read. What a great president. The thought and measured approach to Obama’s presidency should be the gold standard. We could accomplish so much.Promised Land
5By madison091012It was an intense reading. So many ups and downs, so many emotions. After reading this book I am even more thrilled at the progress that President Obama was able to make.Excellent Memoir! Looking forward to the second volume!
5By Aaron BurrellAn excellent memoir in all respects. The phenomenally written story of a president under unique challenges and faced with unimaginable pressure. This memoir paints a vivid picture of Barack Obama as a man, husband, father, and friend, and President Obama as a leader, strategist, and diplomat. I am looking forward to volume 2!Incredible!
5By SqueezyGWhat an incredible book! You certainly get your moneys worth with nearly 900 pages of reading material and 100 pages of amazing photographs. This book only details the first two years of President Obama’s two terms. I so look forward to the next three books and beyond. We sometimes forget overtime how many obstacles that this amazing president had to overcome. There is also incredible insight into why he ran for president when he did, Michelle Obama’s concerns and eventual support and how he maintained being the best president in United States history while still being an amazing husband, father and son. I could not recommend this book more.
