A Promised Land
The powerful political memoir from the former US President
1st Edition
Published on 17. November 2020
768 pages
978-0-241-99141-1 (ISBN)
Description
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
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
Reviews / Votes
Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming -- Justin Webb * Mail on Sunday * Beautifully written and disarmingly candid . . . leavened with telling asides, poignant vignettes, painterly character sketches and an occasional corker of a joke -- Tony Allen-Mills * The Sunday Times * As a work of political literature A Promised Land is impressive. Obama is a gifted writer -- Gary Younge * Guardian * Barack Obama is as fine a writer as they come . . . the prose gorgeous in places, the detail granular and vivid -- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie * The New York Times * What is unexpected in A Promised Land is not its literary elegance but the former president's candour -- David Olusoga * Observer * I loved A Promised Land . . . President Obama is unusually honest about his experience in the White House, including how isolating it is to be the person who ultimately calls the shots. It's a fascinating look at what it's like to steer a country through challenging times Deeply enjoyable . . . Obama is such a fluent and warm writer and so good at describing events and people * Daily Express * Beautifully written . . . it's probably the best volume of autobiography from a former president in modern times -- Sean O'Grady * Independent, ***** * Remarkably candid and beautifully written . . . It should bring inspiration for we Brits who want to build our own version of inclusive patriotism here at home -- David Lammy * i * Gives a very human insight into the White House * Stylist * To keep company with his elegant prose, complex conscience and unmistakable intelligence is a cool drink of water after four years of the other guy . . . -- Sam Leith * Spectator * Elegantly written ... Obama comes across as literary, tolerant and dignified. A gifted writer, he maintains the reader's interest for over 700 pages -- Eric Foner * TLS * Deeply enjoyable...Obama is such a fluent and warm writer and so good at describing events and people * Daily Express * His ability to put himself in the shoes of others - even those who treat him with open contempt - is admirable -- Financial Times Honest, powerful and personal...a must read * OK! magazine *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
File size
14,92 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-241-99141-1 (9780241991411)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Barack Obama | Barack Obama
A Promised Land
Audio
11/2020
Penguin Books Ltd
€47.50
Available immediately
Barack Obama
A Promised Land
Book
11/2020
Crown Publishing Group, Division of Random House Inc
€44.50
Available immediately
Person
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, elected in November 2008 and holding office for two terms. He is the author of two previous New York Times bestselling books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, and the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle. They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Content
1: PREFACE 2: PART ONE | THE BET 3: PART TWO | YES WE CAN 4: PART THREE | RENEGADE 5: PART FOUR | THE GOOD FIGHT 6: PART FIVE | THE WORLD AS IT IS 7: PART SIX | IN THE BARREL 8: PART SEVEN | ON THE HIGH WIRE 9: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 10: PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS 11: INDEX
