Promised Land: The powerful political memoir from the former US President
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THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making?a record-breaking, critically acclaimed no.1 bestseller. 'Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming' Justin Webb, Mail on Sunday In the first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama recounts his journey from a young man searching for his identity to the 44th president of the United States, describing in strikingly personal detail his political education and landmark moments of his first term. Reflecting on his presidency, Obama takes readers from his early political dreams to his Iowa caucus victory and the historic night of November 4, 2008, when he became the first African American president. It is 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 forces that opposed him at home and abroad and bearing the expectation of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change”, 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 Review: A Super Expressway! A Supremely Promised Land!! - 'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are there is nowhere to take a break, no going back, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter-ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, unexpectedly, so to say! Barack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed! The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals, rather explodes the myth, that not all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! 'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are there is no going back or nowhere to take a break, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter- ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, sort of unexpectedly pleasant surprise, so to say! Barrack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking, oratory; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed in his oratory. The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals in negation, rather explodes the myth, that all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barrack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! The narrative wherever it tends to be drab or dry or boring enmessed in too much realpolitick, Obama is super conscious and inserts some light heartening anecdote involving his family, daughters, his closest colleagues and the reader finds a breathing space. Also, one can’t help beaming and smiling and appreciating the empathy of the author, none other than the President of United States of America! Obama sounds more humane and common-manly when he reminisces his life lived in company of his daughters: truly like an affable father, a family man, and it’s so touching and moving! Moreover, Obama’s conscience is ever alert towards the predicament of the poor, the blacks, the ordinary people and the young warriors who are suffering as well as sacrificing personally as well as irrecoverably or irreversibly in those ghastly wars. The healthcare in USA is unaffordable even for middle class there. Obama did yeoman’s job by enacting Affordable Recovery Act for which he deserves immeasurable praise and kudos from generations to come. If a country can't provide affordable healthcare to all its citizens -both rich and poor - one can't boast of one's superiority in world-power terms! However, one inference that we draw from the entire narrative is that being the President of USA is not a bed of roses to enjoy and relish: the poor fellow is deprived of all the elysian pleasures of life which a commoner enjoys aplenty, in infinite measure: personal freedom, unhindered company of family and children, anonymity which is an invaluable attribute and precious boon, non-scrutability by public and hawkish media and social media, choice of using one's time as per one’s convenience, choice of enjoying oneself with family at a roadside eatery, et al. A state head, a celebrity, a public figure, however, aggrandised one might feel personally, can’t vie with a commoner as regards real pleasures of life and true peace of mind! “My visit to Giza pyramid humbled me by the thought that the world endures even after we are gone!”, this musing by the most powerful president of the human race is worth meditating over and over again, particularly, by those nothing's who deem themselves to be the permanent custodians of the peoples and their palaces and empires! ‘videh’ Arvind Kumar TOP REVIEWS FROM INDIA Arvind Kumar 'videh' 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Reviewed in India on 23 November 2020 A Super Expressway! A Supremely Promising Strand !! 'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are on there is nowhere to take a break, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, unexpectedly, so to say! Barack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed! The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals, rather explodes the myth, that not all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! Arvind Kumar 'videh' Review: Worth reading - Powerful. Reminds of what true, compassionate leaders are made out of. And sad that today there is so much polarization even around such leaders when there's bottomless pits in charge now.
| Best Sellers Rank | #22,665 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #21 in International Relations (Books) #25 in Cultural & Ethnic Studies #38 in United States History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 30,295 Reviews |
A**'
A Super Expressway! A Supremely Promised Land!!
'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are there is nowhere to take a break, no going back, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter-ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, unexpectedly, so to say! Barack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed! The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals, rather explodes the myth, that not all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! 'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are there is no going back or nowhere to take a break, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter- ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, sort of unexpectedly pleasant surprise, so to say! Barrack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking, oratory; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed in his oratory. The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals in negation, rather explodes the myth, that all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barrack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! The narrative wherever it tends to be drab or dry or boring enmessed in too much realpolitick, Obama is super conscious and inserts some light heartening anecdote involving his family, daughters, his closest colleagues and the reader finds a breathing space. Also, one can’t help beaming and smiling and appreciating the empathy of the author, none other than the President of United States of America! Obama sounds more humane and common-manly when he reminisces his life lived in company of his daughters: truly like an affable father, a family man, and it’s so touching and moving! Moreover, Obama’s conscience is ever alert towards the predicament of the poor, the blacks, the ordinary people and the young warriors who are suffering as well as sacrificing personally as well as irrecoverably or irreversibly in those ghastly wars. The healthcare in USA is unaffordable even for middle class there. Obama did yeoman’s job by enacting Affordable Recovery Act for which he deserves immeasurable praise and kudos from generations to come. If a country can't provide affordable healthcare to all its citizens -both rich and poor - one can't boast of one's superiority in world-power terms! However, one inference that we draw from the entire narrative is that being the President of USA is not a bed of roses to enjoy and relish: the poor fellow is deprived of all the elysian pleasures of life which a commoner enjoys aplenty, in infinite measure: personal freedom, unhindered company of family and children, anonymity which is an invaluable attribute and precious boon, non-scrutability by public and hawkish media and social media, choice of using one's time as per one’s convenience, choice of enjoying oneself with family at a roadside eatery, et al. A state head, a celebrity, a public figure, however, aggrandised one might feel personally, can’t vie with a commoner as regards real pleasures of life and true peace of mind! “My visit to Giza pyramid humbled me by the thought that the world endures even after we are gone!”, this musing by the most powerful president of the human race is worth meditating over and over again, particularly, by those nothing's who deem themselves to be the permanent custodians of the peoples and their palaces and empires! ‘videh’ Arvind Kumar TOP REVIEWS FROM INDIA Arvind Kumar 'videh' 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Reviewed in India on 23 November 2020 A Super Expressway! A Supremely Promising Strand !! 'A Promised Land' fulfills the promise of being an inimitable pleasure trip through an uncharted path through an unseen landscape of what we call USA. The fluency and flow of style and viscosity of material, the narrative, is such that one can't afford the luxury of stopping or having a breathing space while going through it; it’s like turning onto a super highway, on which once you are on there is nowhere to take a break, except at predetermined places. Even at the chapter ends one is tempted to hurry on: the journey or reading is so enchanting and thrilling, unexpectedly, so to say! Barack has an uncanny gift for writing, even for speaking; he is unmatchable, inimitable indeed! The book portrays a human being in White House, with a throbbing heart and common-manly sentiments, even as, he is starkly candid in making remarks or commenting on the attributes of world leaders. The book also reveals, rather explodes the myth, that not all the inhabitants are well-to-do in America, majority of them are hand to mouth like people elsewhere throughout the world. Even Barack's own family was not in any enviable financial condition. That is a revelation indeed; normally we take USA for a land where nothing but prosperity prevails, the fact is somewhat entirely different. There is no surprise that it’s a no.1 Bestseller! Arvind Kumar 'videh'
R**S
Worth reading
Powerful. Reminds of what true, compassionate leaders are made out of. And sad that today there is so much polarization even around such leaders when there's bottomless pits in charge now.
S**V
An inspirational tale of hope
The book gives a detailed account of Obama’s rise in politics, his campaign, the Presidency, his policies, his fundamentals, and the intricacies involved in his decision in managing what would probably be the toughest job in the world. With each chapter, the book takes us through his personal upbringing with personal anecdotes of his mother, grandmother, family & friends and how these shaped him to take each of the tough decisions, how those were the driving factors in his life as he went on with his Presidency. These personal anecdotes are beautifully written that it can be empathized and correlated back to each of our daily struggles, our decisions in our day to day paths and how our own upbringing and family shaped us in managing our lives. The book starts with his rise in politics and closes out with what was then a much-needed closure with Osama bin Laden’s death. While the book is a long read and does leave you with frustration at times (with unfinished chapters), the political insight, emotion and literary depth connects with you and keeps you engaged. While for someone like me sitting on the other side of the world in India, the US politics can presumably be as alien as it seems to dissect each issue and search for justifications or potentially uncaptured events, emotionally this book leaves with you a stark impression as an inspirational tale of hope.
B**Y
Even the most civilized society is not perfectly civilized
Unparallel account of ostensible racism that pervade across US
T**K
Excellent Book
I got this book for my dad, and he is very happy with it. The book is hard bound and the qualit of the papers is very good. The font size of print is large which is just great for senior people. Very Happy with this purchase.
C**G
We can overcome any challenge
A beautiful and inspiring life story of a president.
M**V
Honest read.
The book got delivered the same day of order and in perfect packaging without a single damage to the cover. The book itself is an honest account extremely well written. I'm half way through and if you have been following Obama as I have during his tenure - this book will still come as a surprise. The human account of what goes into becoming the most powerful man on earth and still dealing with kid's shenanigens and a no nonesense wife/first lady. The hardwork that goes into the elections and the personal losses he had while he was campaigning - it just makes you realise - is this guy human? Enjoy the read.
M**R
Good Book
Good Book
D**Y
The first volume of Obama's memoirs as POTUS
I'm not from the US so it would be hard for me to properly rate Obama as a president. However I'm an avid reader so I will say that this memoir is probably the best written POTUS memoir I've ever read. It mainly covers (most of) his first term in office, as well as his initial campaigns (for his nomination and then the presidential race). I appreciate him casting some light on his thought process for his decisions on some of the international issues, and I also appreciate him acknowledging that at times he was uncertain, or that he made mistakes. The tidbits about the internal quabbles and tit-for-tat in politics were also very interesting. But what I appreciate most is that throughout the book he focused a lot on the support he received of his wife and family, friends, colleagues and staff, illustrating well how even being the president is far from being a one-man show.
P**N
Excelente y agradable libro sobre Obama y la politica de usa. Recomendable.
Es un libro magnifico: bien escrito con mucha elegancia, muy interesante sobre la politica de Estados Unidos, muy revelador sobre como es la experiencia de ser presidente de Estados Unidos. un texto muy ameno, honesto, esperanzador y humilde. En fin, un cambio radical y refrescante frente a lo que hay ahora en la Casa Blanca. Lo estoy disfrutando.
M**0
A very interesting boo
I really enjoyed reading this book a very powerful memoir and I am sure I will read this book again.
V**R
Politician and Intellectual
Really liked the writing, let me know when the next one coming
D**I
Mooi boek
Fijn en mooi boek om te lezen
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