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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Unpopular opinion alert: I’m sorry but I was really disappointed with this one. I absolutely loved Michelle’s book and assumed I’d love this one even more.
While the political detail and personal insight is outstanding, and having listened to the audiobook, I found his narration wonderful.... ultimately it’s the tone of this book that lets it down for me. Obama comes across, whether intentional or not, as a little arrogant and ‘all-knowing’. He was always right, but sometimes, you know, he was convinced by other people to do something he didn’t want to but still did it anyway just to placate them coz he’s a nice guy....?! I’m not sure I buy it, sorry Barack
While the political detail and personal insight is outstanding, and having listened to the audiobook, I found his narration wonderful.... ultimately it’s the tone of this book that lets it down for me. Obama comes across, whether intentional or not, as a little arrogant and ‘all-knowing’. He was always right, but sometimes, you know, he was convinced by other people to do something he didn’t want to but still did it anyway just to placate them coz he’s a nice guy....?! I’m not sure I buy it, sorry Barack
inspiring
slow-paced
This book has deepened my respect for President Obama. He is intelligent, empathetic, and witty. He shows compassion and humility. I respect someone who is honest about their flaws and shortcomings in themselves and the work they do. His agitation at bigotry and greed from Republican colleagues is palpable and his sorrow when describing the atrocities of war is crushing.
I’m pleased with how he explained the history behind decades of conflict and provided a balanced perspective on international and domestic issues. It’s further progressive than centrism, but it isn’t runaway leftist either. It’s full of compassion for others and logical when discussing reasoning behind thought patterns and actions.
This was a very long book and it took so long to get through, but I’m looking forward to his next one.
I’m pleased with how he explained the history behind decades of conflict and provided a balanced perspective on international and domestic issues. It’s further progressive than centrism, but it isn’t runaway leftist either. It’s full of compassion for others and logical when discussing reasoning behind thought patterns and actions.
This was a very long book and it took so long to get through, but I’m looking forward to his next one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Islamophobia, Colonisation, War, Classism
Rating this book wouldn’t feel productive because it would feel more like a rating of my feelings about President Obama or his decisions in office. However, I definitely recommend reading this. I found it a really thoughtful recording and evaluation of his accomplishments and struggles. Definitely very detailed, hence the length, but I rather enjoyed the nuanced perspectives he described. Regardless of my agreement or not, hearing his thinking and hindsight insight was helpful to me.
Well written, well spoken and very candid. It is inspiring to read his story. Someone who believed they could impact a positive change on the world and to go after it. I’m not American so many details of American politics bogged me down but it was interesting nonetheless, and educational.
Great to read - especially in these times - have always and will always love B.O. for his thoughtfulness intelligence. Really loved the first part, but as the book wound its way out, found it a bit dreary going through the known and acknowledged key political events of his first term, with his writing about it being exactly what you would expect. Would love to read the book B.O. can't really write - about what really went down.
Wow Barack Obama is verbose! However, I think he may be one of the only people that can have me on the edge of my seat when talking about the financial crisis and all the intricacies that came with dealing with it or foreign policy moves or healthcare or filibusters. In all honestly I can’t wait for the next volume to come out.
In light of the looming 2024 elections, reading this was bittersweet. Every time I think about it or see a news update I truly want to bang my head against a wall
In light of the looming 2024 elections, reading this was bittersweet. Every time I think about it or see a news update I truly want to bang my head against a wall
Absolutely incredible. I got chills and teared up countless times throughout. He tells the story of his early political career in the classic Obama eloquence while teaching a pretty good history lesson throughout.
As a high school and college student during his presidency, I remember the big picture events, but “A Promised Land” really gets into the behind the scenes and partisanship that almost derailed so many of the achievements of his presidency. The themes that were emerging way back then, that have taken over our political landscape today. Chills.
I highly recommend everyone read this, maybe more than once. Also recommend you take the 29 hours to listen to him read it himself—truly a “comfort voice” if ever one existed.
As a high school and college student during his presidency, I remember the big picture events, but “A Promised Land” really gets into the behind the scenes and partisanship that almost derailed so many of the achievements of his presidency. The themes that were emerging way back then, that have taken over our political landscape today. Chills.
I highly recommend everyone read this, maybe more than once. Also recommend you take the 29 hours to listen to him read it himself—truly a “comfort voice” if ever one existed.
This memoir, read in President Obama's own voice, is a detailed history and insightful book that connects in a way that makes me feel American and provides a small glimpse into the trials, pressures, powers, and many hats that the office holds. I loved it.
The audio book was excellent as it is read by Obama. I liked that the book started out with his personal history and he talked about his mom and grandparents. Overall great book to read although some of the history parts felt a little too detailed but that may be because I am not a huge history reader. Hearing his thought processes about certain decisions he made while in the White House was interesting. Loved hearing the behind the scene stories.