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A Promised Land
- Narrated by: Barack Obama
- Length: 29 hrs and 10 mins
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Becoming
- By: Michelle Obama
- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites listeners into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
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As you’d expect
- By JTino on 19-11-2018
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The Light We Carry
- Overcoming in Uncertain Times
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- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
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In The Light We Carry, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today's highly uncertain world. She considers the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much? Michelle Obama believes that we can all lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux.
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Impressive follow up from “Becoming”
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From the author of Steve Jobs and other bestselling biographies, this is the astonishingly intimate story of Elon Musk, the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence.
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Peeling the onion on the most interesting person alive
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Seems like a Whole load of bull
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His Life for all of us.
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Becoming
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Overall
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In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites listeners into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
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As you’d expect
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The Light We Carry
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In The Light We Carry, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today's highly uncertain world. She considers the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much? Michelle Obama believes that we can all lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux.
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Impressive follow up from “Becoming”
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Peeling the onion on the most interesting person alive
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I've been in this life for 50 years, been trying to work out its riddle for 42, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last 35. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.
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Seems like a Whole load of bull
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The world's greatest bodybuilder. The world's highest paid movie star. The leader of the world's sixth largest economy. That these are the same person sounds like the setup to a joke. But this is no joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And this did not happen by accident. Arnold's stratospheric success happened as part of a process. As the result of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and a commitment to giving back. All of it guided by the one lesson Arnold's father hammered into him above all: be useful.
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Must listen
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His Life for all of us.
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Harry’s story, Harry’s voice. Listen, and form your own opinion.
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Hmmm. Be clear this sint a Biography.
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- By You can’t afford not to buy it on 17-04-2018
Editorial Reviews
Join Barack Obama himself as he recounts his journey into politics and presidency in this enchanting audiobook that offers an intimate look at the life of one of the 21st century's most influential leaders.
The skilled rhetoric of Barack Obama has long been considered one of the persuasive factors that won over the hearts and minds of the American people and carried him into office as the 44th President of the United States. That very gift with language and his captivating delivery are on full display as he expertly narrates his own memoir, leading you right into the Oval Office with him.
It would be hard to overestimate the wealth of challenges and monumental moments that Obama unpacks in A Promised Land. He’s generous with details, balancing honest, heavy political discussion with human tales of life in the White House and the grounding presence of his own family. From personal conversations with First Lady Michelle to climbing the Great Wall of China, Obama shares a wide variety of moments from his remarkable life with his signature warmth and bright sense of humour.
Whether you’re looking for a beacon of hope, a political tell-all or a deeper understanding of American government, you’ll find your wishes fulfilled with A Promised Land.
Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
The number one Sunday Times and Audible best seller.
A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making - from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy.
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 listeners 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 4th 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 US partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings listeners 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 US strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout and authorises 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 organiser 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.
Winner of best narration by the author – Audie Awards 2022.
Critic Reviews
"What is unexpected in A Promised Land is the former president's candour." (David Olusoga, Observer)
"Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming." (Justin Webb, Mail on Sunday)
What listeners say about A Promised Land
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rebecca
- 23-11-2020
My review
I was worried about the length, but I was hooked from the beginning! It was interesting to hear what he was thinking. He was not afraid to share his mistakes. He responded to critics with respect and tried to see their point of view. This was an amazing read and I'm so glad he shared this story.
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30 people found this helpful
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- James M
- 28-11-2020
Fantastic
This was an absolutely captivating and brutally honest account, made that much better by Obama reading it.
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18 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 07-12-2020
long winded and boring
I was really looking forward to this book but couldn't finish it, the most boring long winded recollection of his life in politics.
not what I was hopping for.
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15 people found this helpful
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- Hector Pieris
- 27-11-2020
Genuinely down to earth peaceful person.
Obama’s experience, struggles, thoughts, and hopes in some of the grand decisions, he made through out of his first couple of years, as the President of USA. This collaborative, thoughtful narrative is rich with his own writing and his voice for 29 hours. Even if you have no interest much politics you will be gravitate to this book from start to end - guaranteed!
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15 people found this helpful
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- Chris Williams
- 17-12-2020
Yawn...
Waaay too much detail on policy. Every decision he made has been recounted. I found myself skipping ahead through much of the second half. It could have been half as long for 95% of the population, though I understand his desire to want to put his entire perspective on the record and it's worth doing...though it's not worth listening to.
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9 people found this helpful
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- Anna
- 22-01-2021
Beacon!
If just a handful more people could become like this man - an ordinary boy who grabbed every opportunity he could find to help the world become a better place and will never stop working and applying his extraordinary and accumlating skills, determination, analysis, subtelty and judgement to that end until his final breath. Amazing book. Will listen again and again for the layers of insights.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Lambert
- 27-11-2020
i enjoyed every minute!
what great stories coming from the horse's mouth! the presidents narration added authenticity and it felt like he was just there telling you his stories.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Miss L J Besley
- 09-03-2021
Interesting and insightful
I found Barack’s style in this book to be thought provoking and educational. I learnt so much about politics in general, not just in the US. The key messages Barack tries to convey about the world at large and how he believed in striving to create a more just world for all is commendable.
Whilst I enjoyed the book, Barack has a tendency to deep dive into some areas perhaps with more detail than is required and oddly he is critical of this himself. There were sections of the book that could’ve been more succinct.
Overall I’d recommend the book. The tips and professional insight about being a political leader of the USA could be applied to any career and I found them extremely insightful and enjoyed the simplicity of how they were delivered in the book.
Thanks Barack for your leadership and for striving to be more than what the US political system allows politicians to be.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Brian Arpel
- 30-11-2020
Barack Obama, the best of the best.
A really fascinating insight into the workings of the White House and of American politics.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 23-02-2021
Too long!
I was so keen to read this book as I just loved Michelle's book. Barak's narration is wonderful. However it was such a slog..I hung in there for 15 hours, but I could not continue. It just went on and on and on.....
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3 people found this helpful
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- Sean Rodrigues
- 17-11-2020
Sean R in Tokyo
Only a few chapters in.
Feels like a return to almost mythical times. Thoughtful, intelligent, respectful and...sane.
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14 people found this helpful
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- Avasmum
- 29-11-2020
Brilliant autobiography
I am not usually a fan of autobiographies but this one is excellent. I wasn't sure what 'tone' to expect but Obama sets a peaceful, considerate, and slightly humorous voice. I usually listen to books at 1.5x to 1.8x and I thought I'd have to run Obama's book at 2x because he talks so slowly but 1x has been just right.
I think anyone with an open mind would enjoy this book.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 24-11-2020
Can you ever choke in listening to a politician?
I am amazed by the balance of thoughts he has . Neither Left nor the Right sway him. His painful acknowledgment of compromises without ever having to justify his decisions is more striking . An awesome listening experience after a long time
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5 people found this helpful
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- Karl
- 01-12-2020
Modern History
Informative, insightful, funny and at the very least he could earn a living as an audio narrator.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Mark Bennett
- 20-07-2021
Great storyteller
Listening to Obama become president was great, but once in office some of the day to day events are a little difficult to push through. Great man and brilliant story teller.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Tamuka Makotore
- 27-01-2021
Can Volume 2 be released already!?
Well written, and well read. Touched on so mamy topics from the time he ran for president, to the time Bin Laden was killed. Although some topics were a bit cumbersome, it really helped that Obizy was the one reading the book. Key lesson i learnt is about surrounding yourself with the right people. We saw saw this from when he ran for office, and to the time he was president, how instrumental his team was.
Looking forward to Volume 2. Can i pre-order!?
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1 person found this helpful
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- Sridhar
- 26-11-2020
Masterpiece of a memoir. What a treat!
Amazing ring-side view of the major events that shaped the world during first term of President Obama. Gives a glimpse of the mind and heart of one of the greatest Presidents of the USA. It's even a bigger treat to listen to him read the book himself. Can't wait for the second volume to come out!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Shaz
- 23-10-2023
Smile, Tear, Laugh, Weep. Emotional Roller-coaste
In Light of our Fractured and Divided Political Climate currently playing out within USA and beyond- The reassuring dulcet tones of President Obama's voice, married to an eloquent writing style infused with intelligence, compassion, empathy and reason is notnonly welcomed but essential. President Obama has expertly crafted an absolute Must Read Memoir, meticulously researched and brutally honest. Raw, and full of self awareness, Barack relives with the Listener as his silent audience, his own personal Journey, imparting through his eyes the melancholy, beauty, pain and joys of life that is rich and impactful. With his own unique charm, President Obama allows a glimpse into his thought processes, as challenge and opportunity knocked at his door, in every facet of a Man's Life. Love, Marriage, Progeny- these commonly taken for granted blessings known to all and experienced by the privileged- made all the more precious given the nature of the professional heights he aspired towards. With Vivid Imagery we are privy to the Forgotten Sufferings and Remembered Triumphs, of political office.
Identifying that his Successor, Donald Trump is likely the Greatest threat to Progress, Obama painfully lays out the reality as he views it- outlining two possible Trajectories- one of our Impending Doom which will follow failure to act or the exact opposite: A Future Destiny Shaped through Hope and Love, provided we choose correctly from here on. With emotive yet sound language, he sets out the stakes clearly- through Unity and Compromise, we will be able to mould a Future of Increased Peace, Prosperity and Success, and most importantly, these fruits are shared equitably amongst the many Magnificent Peoples who Proudly call themselves American.
Employing Reasoned Grace, Barack implores Unity, and choosing a path which Honours our Founding Ideals: Liberty Equality and Fraternity. Remembering the pain of Yesterday, we must advocate for a Today that Unequivocally rejects the Old Ideologies of those seeking to Inject within our National Conscience the Failed and Destructive Malignancies of Bigotry, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Religious Intolerance and Isolationism. Drawing on the Record of Past and Present Stalwarts who willing Risked their Lives, their Security and their Individual Happiness for the Greater Ideals of bringing about a Better Tomorrow. A Tomorrow- Fashioned by a National Character imbued with Moral Courage, Inclusivity, Respect, Reason, Diversity, Equity, Empathy, Mercy, Intelligence and Integrity.
With introspection on all sides we can see this mistakes made by all, that has led to Trump ajd confront an Ominous Truth-The Enemies of Progress have never been entirely Vanquished, and are likely to never completely fade into Oblivion. These Insidious Forces, can however, be Kept entirely at Bay, never being allowed to garner traction and Poison the Collective Discourse with their False Promises of Increased Wealth and Power through Scapegoating those deemed lesser than by the Status Quo. These undercurrents of Hate, Serpentine in their behaviour; patiently wait for Opportune Moments-Moments of Terror, of Uncertainty, of Distrust and of Division. These Mind Controlling Parasites lie in Ambush, until the People are at their most Vulnerable, then Strike with Painful Precision, and Envenomate a Nation's Soul with a Toxic Blend of Hate and Enmity. A Murderous Impulse, born from Baseness, Perceived Victimhood and the Old Lie: "Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori." Only through Solidarity, Compassion and Vigilance are we able to expose the Empty Rhetoric for it is- a Vacuous and Sinister attempt to Reclaim Power through the Manipulation of those most Fragile within Societies. Convincing them on Mass that their Day-to-Day Difficulties are a result of Theft by Hidden Bad Faith Actors living amongst them. Pernicious Forces; who, from Underneath the Black of Night, Usurped all Control of their Institutions, Culture, Economy and Paragons of Intellectual Discourse.
Though Painful, it is imperative that We look inside Ourselves and Confront the Difficult Truths of who we have allowed to Define us, through Apathy or Worse- Deliberate Action.
At an Indefinable Point, We Lost Ourselves, somewhere out there between the Intersection of Fear and Hate, A Common Crossroad, but one arising from Divergent Journeys. The Fork in the Road, some arriving on a Path of Obscene Decadence, where others arrive Hungry, Weary and Dejected. It is at this Dangerous Meeting of Storms that Man can easily become again that which his Forefathers has always Despised, that which His Ancestors has Fought so Valiantly Against, that which His Previous Generations have Suffered such Enormous Losses for choosing Incorrectly and which History has shown is both the Antithesis and Core Essence of who and What Humanity Truly Is.
Today, it is an Irrefutable Fact that the Ascension of Donald Trump, a man without Principle, Integrity, Honour, Empathy, Decency and Humanity, is without Equal in Exploiting the Grievances and Paranoia’s of those who feel Ignored and Scorned. Trump has without pause, used their Pain only for the Betterment of Himself. He possesses a Remarkable Understanding of Envy, Anger, and Vanity, seeing it clearly in others as it Mirrors his own Cretinous Reflection. This Gift enables him to accurately appeal to almost every Negative Character Trait present in Humankind, thus moulding himself into the Far Right's Divinely Inspired Messiah. They see in Trump their Deliverance, a Vessel which can be used to Legitimise their Darkest Nature, and Permission to crawl out from the Dark Undergrowth and Walk Proudly in the Light, without Fear of Reprisal, More Menacing and More Determined than ever before.
Finally, throught his Memoir, President Obama shows with real life examples the Power of Hope. History is littered with Anecdotes which bear Testament to the Power and Goodness of the Human Spirit and its ability to Triumph, even when faced with Grave Evil. This Powerful Phenomenon should never be underestimated and those who are currently Fearful can find Solace in its Promise.
We are Not Defined by these last years, nor are We Eternally bonded to Trumpism.
Yes, We are Flawed. We are, afterall, only Human which is both Beautiful and Terrifying.
Paradoxically, it is our Flawed and Fragile humanity that will also prove our Salvation and Redemption. Man's true Beauty lies entirely in Culmination of his Follies, Dancing exquisitely with His Binaries, Ringed with Flame and Pulsing like that of a Sensual Salsa Routine.
My Prayer: Like the Phoenix, that Immortal Bird of Fire, which Rises from its Bed of Ashes, so to will We Rise from the Charred Debris that Fell upon Us through the Mistaken Fealty to Trump. Trump, though Justly Despised, should also Evoke within Us a sense of Pity.
Trump's Legacy will remain a Testament to Selfishness.
A Lifetime of Lies and Cruelty that has left Him in a World without Wonder, A World of Thirsts that can Never be Quenched. He has Never nor will He Ever Know Genuine Love and Friendship.
His Narcissism is so Innate, His Soul so Rancid; that were he capable of Remorse, The ensuing Reality of His Broken Existence would lead Him into an Abyss of Insanity.
Of the Phoenix, Trump will Never Understand that the True Beauty of the Creature lies not in its Majestic Extravagance, but in the Ashes that Framed and Defined all it Lived to Be.
President Obama
Appreciatively and Sincerely
XOXO
Shaz
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- Christopher White
- 06-09-2023
Intriguing
An intriguing behind-the-scenes look at a president who had a profound effect on the world. A clear and concise look at global politics and an a rare insiders look at the workings of the White House.
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- Anonymous User
- 18-05-2023
Outstanding!
Absolutely Incredible. Thank you Mr. President for sharing your story with the world. My Oh My, you have a gift B.O.
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- jesse
- 17-11-2020
Dropping a classic
History will look upon you favourably sir. You're an icon of your generation, I thank you for everything you represent.
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123 people found this helpful
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- Joseph K
- 18-11-2020
Breath of fresh air
Must read if you need your faith in politics restored especially after the last 4 years.
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109 people found this helpful
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- jessik
- 19-11-2020
Beautiful
Beautifully written, beautifully read. Listening to Obama speak again is truly calming in this chaotic world. A wonderful human, with such heart and optimism and still, so much joy. Even after having to leave all his hard work for that awful orange monster. My family immigrated to America in 2001 holding onto the American dream. I still believe the America in this book and in Obama’s heart, is possible. Hopefully Joe and Kamala will help point us in the right direction again. Xx
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94 people found this helpful
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- cara louise beckett
- 19-11-2020
Bloody fantastic!!
I am 12 chapters in and already in mourning because it will come to an end. You won't regret purchasing; it is enlightening, comforting, heartbreaking and fortifying - exactly what a 2020 weary soul needs
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- Dan
- 22-11-2020
Too long and bit boring at timew
The first part is interesting but then it gets boring. For anyone has been following the news during the Obama years, there isnt much new in this book and you didn’t know. Obama doesn’t reveal much about him, its more a list of policy achievements, and 29 hours of audio or more 700 pages to describe less than 3 years of presidency is too much. I love Obama, and his previous books. But this one is a bit disappointing, but still worth a read.
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57 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 20-11-2020
Frank
The most satisfying aspect of this book is its frankness about the broken, corrupt parts of the American political system. It reveals the distance between Obama's ideals and what was actually possible politically in the world as it is.
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- S. Langford
- 21-11-2020
Outstanding!
I’m six chapters in and this book is outstanding. Such brilliant narration! So articulated in his writing and delivery. Such an incredible story of hard work and personal sacrifice. All the humility and good grace you would expect to hear. Start it, you won’t regret it! I’m from the UK and I’m learning so much about the US political system but not in a heavy way. It’s honestly enthralling. Highly recommend listening to this book.
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- Abra Brash
- 19-11-2020
What a wonderful human being..... brilliant read
Barak Obama will forever be a treasure to America and other world leaders alike. Sadly he has run his presidency but if this in depth memoir is anything to go by and the timing of its release, it can be an aid to the new president elect (Biden) as a comprehensive refresher. Maybe the satsuma shaded runner up could of done with this book at the start of his inauguration. God bless Biden for tidying that orange mess and god bless America 🇺🇸
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- paulthomas
- 21-11-2020
Blown away
Completely blown away , every aspect of this book is compelling . I must say I’m slightly bias in that I think Obama was a great president, and statesman. But he’s a truly lovely human being.
He covers all aspect’s of his presidency, but gives us a front seat into how it actually was. But then it’s a love letter to his wife. I’m on chapter 13, thank god it's almost 30 hours.
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- Jake lewis
- 19-11-2020
In-depth
An in-depth first hand account from one of the best known names in the world. From his early years to the end of his first 3 years in the white house. This is a great reflection on the history of Ameroca
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