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drraytay's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Murder, Racism, Transphobia, Sexism, War, Abortion, Torture, Death, and Xenophobia
eldritch_flower's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Last year I read Becoming by the illustrious Michelle Obama. Reading her account of the events throughout her marriage with Barack and her role as First Lady was inspiring and a necessary voice in the world. And I knew I needed to read Barack Obama's book as well to see the other side of the this complex story.
And to be transparent, I admired both Obamas long before reading their books(and I still do).
I really enjoyed this. I listened to the audiobook, read by Barack. It details his journey into politics, his marriage to Michelle, the birth of his children, and his career in his first four years as president. He is honest and blunt in his telling of events throughout his career. What I really appreciated though what his willingness to talk about what he wanted to do and the reasons why it couldn't happen, or his thoughts on a situation versus how he needed to conduct himself as President of the United States. It made me admire him all the more because I can actually see his thought process and his feelings when he had to do things he didn't agree with because the options were weighed against what he wanted to do.
I'll also be the first to say that he is in no way, shape or form perfect. But he acknowledges his shortcomings, his mistakes, and his struggles.
Overall, the 30 hour audiobook is well worth the listen. And I know I'll be buying physical copies and this book, and Michelle's book.
And to be transparent, I admired both Obamas long before reading their books(and I still do).
I really enjoyed this. I listened to the audiobook, read by Barack. It details his journey into politics, his marriage to Michelle, the birth of his children, and his career in his first four years as president. He is honest and blunt in his telling of events throughout his career. What I really appreciated though what his willingness to talk about what he wanted to do and the reasons why it couldn't happen, or his thoughts on a situation versus how he needed to conduct himself as President of the United States. It made me admire him all the more because I can actually see his thought process and his feelings when he had to do things he didn't agree with because the options were weighed against what he wanted to do.
I'll also be the first to say that he is in no way, shape or form perfect. But he acknowledges his shortcomings, his mistakes, and his struggles.
Overall, the 30 hour audiobook is well worth the listen. And I know I'll be buying physical copies and this book, and Michelle's book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Islamophobia, War, Police brutality, Classism, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
kennethwade's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The first in a two-volume set, A Promised Land recounts Barack Obama’s presidency through the killing of Osama bin Laden. The memoir dips briefly into his youth and early political career, but the major focus is on the presidency. Obama is an excellent writer (a bit wordy at times, but not boring). This memoir emphasizes all the characteristics that made him a good President: he is optimistic, caring, and thoughtful. Although I don’t agree with all of his decisions or opinions, it is very easy to understand his perspective and respect him through this memoir.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Mass/school shootings, and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia and Misogyny
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