"We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense."
I had to wait a couple of months to get this library book on my Kindle. When I discovered it was 700 pages long, I wondered if I could finish before my loan expired. I barely made it, finishing on the due date! I don't read memoirs often, but somehow this one called my name. Obama's writing style is excellent. All of the book was interesting, parts were over my head (like the financial stuff) but much of it I enjoyed. My rating is 4.
Former President Obama shares some of his earliest history, facts about his family and memories of youth, and then his formal education. He writes about meeting his wife, Michelle, their marriage and the beginnings of his political aspirations. I have read Becoming by Michelle Obama and it was interesting to read some of his perspective of their relationship and journey to the White House, as compared to hers.
In this volume, Obama takes the reader through the first term of his presidency; it turns out there will be a Volume II. He certainly didn't have an easy start after his inauguration in 2009. One could say he faced one crisis after another but it would be more realistic to say one crisis on top of another! First, he had to tackle the HUGE global financial catastrophe. He spent much time and energy getting the Affordable Care Act passed and trying to address climate change in a meaningful way. As commander-in-chief, he had momentous decisions to make about Afghanistan and Iran. Along the way, there was Wall Street reform, the Deepwater Horizon oil well disaster and the planning of Operation Neptune's Spear that ended with the death of Osama bin Laden. In trying to live up to his campaign promises of "Hope and Change," he had to fight Congress far too frequently!
Obama shared personal reflections about his marriage and daughters which showed his devotion to family and he demonstrated humility in sharing his regrets and disappointments, making him seem very human. There is a good amount of humor, as well, especially the banter with his closest aides and often from Michelle.
Fairly recently I saw a documentary called "As I See It" featuring Pete Souza, former Chief Official White House Photographer. It was SO entertaining and gave me excellent background for this book. In fact, there are numerous photographs at the end of the memoir, some of which were likely Pete's work. If you are a fan of our former president and don't mind tackling a tome, I recommend A Promised Land.
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