jaclynday's review against another edition
4.0
I admit that I’m struggling to write this review. I’ll nit-pick in a moment, but for now I’ll simply say that this book was like the ultimate Dessert Book. It was voyeuristic and fun—the book equivalent of picking up US Weekly or InTouch. There was mention of how Michelle Obama’s wardrobe has played into public perception, there was a section on their disastrous New York City date night, there were little political asides and well-written summaries of the President’s challenges and victories over the past several years. It’s such a far-reaching book that you assume it will be completely vapid and underdeveloped or confusing chronologically. It’s neither. Perhaps the worst you can say about it is that it’s entertaining—and to some, that might be a negative thing.
As someone who voted for Obama in 2008, I have to agree with other reviews I’ve read in that the most irritating thing about reading this book was how often Obama’s missteps are laid out. The book is not overly long, and the problems that he’s encountered throughout his first term seem to come back to back to back. Among a sea of challenges (some of which were overcome, others not so much), there are occasional wins for the Obama team, but you come away with a general sense that the administration was initially overwhelmed and disorganized and that set the President’s agenda back too far to fully recover.
Another interesting thing: I became really curious to read this book after seeing the White House’s swiftly negative reaction to the publication of The Obamas and a recent Politico article seemed to align with my suspicions. Why did they condemn the book so strongly? I think it touched a nerve, especially with Michelle Obama and her public relations team. Her portrayal in the book is actually quite a positive one, but there has been a concerted effort on the part of the administration to make her seem less opinionated and more passive since the inauguration and this book moves to defeat some of that image “repair.” (Personally, I prefer an outspoken, opinionated First Lady, but I guess the majority of the country doesn’t feel the same way.) She is shown to be just as opinionated in the book—the only exception to this being that she reserves her remarks for private settings within the administration instead of speaking to reporters or to crowds about them.
Anyway, if you’re looking for something entertaining to read or you are intrigued by this President and the First Lady (who isn’t?), I recommend giving this book a go.
As someone who voted for Obama in 2008, I have to agree with other reviews I’ve read in that the most irritating thing about reading this book was how often Obama’s missteps are laid out. The book is not overly long, and the problems that he’s encountered throughout his first term seem to come back to back to back. Among a sea of challenges (some of which were overcome, others not so much), there are occasional wins for the Obama team, but you come away with a general sense that the administration was initially overwhelmed and disorganized and that set the President’s agenda back too far to fully recover.
Another interesting thing: I became really curious to read this book after seeing the White House’s swiftly negative reaction to the publication of The Obamas and a recent Politico article seemed to align with my suspicions. Why did they condemn the book so strongly? I think it touched a nerve, especially with Michelle Obama and her public relations team. Her portrayal in the book is actually quite a positive one, but there has been a concerted effort on the part of the administration to make her seem less opinionated and more passive since the inauguration and this book moves to defeat some of that image “repair.” (Personally, I prefer an outspoken, opinionated First Lady, but I guess the majority of the country doesn’t feel the same way.) She is shown to be just as opinionated in the book—the only exception to this being that she reserves her remarks for private settings within the administration instead of speaking to reporters or to crowds about them.
Anyway, if you’re looking for something entertaining to read or you are intrigued by this President and the First Lady (who isn’t?), I recommend giving this book a go.
lizmart88's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look, primarily at the Obama's marriage, during the first two years of his first term.
This is certainly a mostly positive viewpoint of a book. While she mentions Obama's detractors, she primarily interviewed his closest advisors and staff and friends.
Writing in a chronological order isn't the best format for this. It's also hard to read as Obama nears the end of his second term. Such a short period of time means the book is basically obsolete now. She also chooses to barely cover the Healthcare bull after its passed, even though massive issues occurred during implementation.
All in all, not a bad book. Particularly good if you're interested in reading about Michelle and her relationship with the white house and DC and politics (spoiler : it's a rough adjustment). However, there are more comprehensive, less biased books with similar material.
This is certainly a mostly positive viewpoint of a book. While she mentions Obama's detractors, she primarily interviewed his closest advisors and staff and friends.
Writing in a chronological order isn't the best format for this. It's also hard to read as Obama nears the end of his second term. Such a short period of time means the book is basically obsolete now. She also chooses to barely cover the Healthcare bull after its passed, even though massive issues occurred during implementation.
All in all, not a bad book. Particularly good if you're interested in reading about Michelle and her relationship with the white house and DC and politics (spoiler : it's a rough adjustment). However, there are more comprehensive, less biased books with similar material.
mrs_merdle's review against another edition
3.0
This was good. Very interesting inside look at the first term. Made me think a lot about the influence the First Lady has on the Presidency, which is often quite a bit and I think especially in this case where the marriage seems to be very much an equal partnership. Not always all that flattering of the President (although maybe just an honest look at his whole personality, not an Obama-bashing by any means, just not sycophantic), but definitely a sympathetic portrait of the First Lady who comes off well overall. The book was absorbingly written for the most part, but I feel like she lost the intensity a bit in the last few chapters, just as things were ramping up for the second campaign. I think she was trying to portray how comfortable they had become in the not always savory political world they inhabit, and which they had started out the first campaign and the Presidency by opposing, but she just somehow made things seem very bland and uninteresting. But overall a good and interesting read.
lambchops814's review against another edition
5.0
This book received a lot of criticism when it was released for painting Michell's, especially, in a poor light. I didn't find that to be true. Rather it painted the picture of a young couple thrust into a very public postion of power very quickly and focused on the inherent impacts that had on their relationship and family. If anything it made me like both his policy and them as a couple even more. I especially appreciated the tidbits that humanized them; such as he eats dinner with his family every night and focuses on the going one of the girls. All in all, I really enjoyed it.
theartolater's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not someone who necessarily admires or likes the first family politically, so picking this book up came more from the interesting media feedback that came about upon its release than anything else. Especially after being disappointed in the election results, a little something to read about four more years of the Obamas can't be a bad choice. Interestingly, this book ended up providing an entirely different perception of both Barack and Michelle than I anticipated it would, and the book actually ended up being a valuable use of my time.
The key point the media appeared to prey on was this idea that Michelle Obama came across as more of the unfortunately stereotypical angry black woman. I'll be honest - not only does Michelle Obama not come across that way in the book, but she actually comes across as incredibly well-meaning and sympathetic. Her concerns are portrayed as incredibly relevant and well-thought out, she is brought across as the anchor of that family who shows deep care for her husband and children. While the general media perception of her seems to be a more driven, stern character, those lines are softened considerably in the detailed look at her life in the spotlight.
That contrast becomes even more apparent when placed against her husband. While Barack Obama certainly had some missteps during the first term, and perhaps misunderstood and underestimated the challenge the population and Congress would give him, incompetence was not the word I would have generally used to describe him in most areas. Unfortunately for the president, this book shows him to be wildly out of touch with the country he governs, with the expectations of the office he holds, and shows a rather disengaged, disappointed man who is holding an office much larger than he can perhaps handle. Reading this post-election makes it that much more stunning, and perhaps a little disconcerting.
This isn't a partisan book by any means - if anything, the classic New York Times liberal lean comes through from time to time in the descriptions of certain events that occur during the times observed. The book, however, is also a very solid look at two people we really know surprisingly little about given their status in the country. I wish more people had read it before the election, and I think more people should read it now after the fact.
The key point the media appeared to prey on was this idea that Michelle Obama came across as more of the unfortunately stereotypical angry black woman. I'll be honest - not only does Michelle Obama not come across that way in the book, but she actually comes across as incredibly well-meaning and sympathetic. Her concerns are portrayed as incredibly relevant and well-thought out, she is brought across as the anchor of that family who shows deep care for her husband and children. While the general media perception of her seems to be a more driven, stern character, those lines are softened considerably in the detailed look at her life in the spotlight.
That contrast becomes even more apparent when placed against her husband. While Barack Obama certainly had some missteps during the first term, and perhaps misunderstood and underestimated the challenge the population and Congress would give him, incompetence was not the word I would have generally used to describe him in most areas. Unfortunately for the president, this book shows him to be wildly out of touch with the country he governs, with the expectations of the office he holds, and shows a rather disengaged, disappointed man who is holding an office much larger than he can perhaps handle. Reading this post-election makes it that much more stunning, and perhaps a little disconcerting.
This isn't a partisan book by any means - if anything, the classic New York Times liberal lean comes through from time to time in the descriptions of certain events that occur during the times observed. The book, however, is also a very solid look at two people we really know surprisingly little about given their status in the country. I wish more people had read it before the election, and I think more people should read it now after the fact.
katyjean81's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It seems to be well-researched and as a political news junkie, it was an interesting insight into the lives of our president and first lady.
abetterbradley's review against another edition
4.0
I've heard a lot about this book over the last few weeks. Most of the press has focused on how the book portrays the first lady in a negative light. I felt that it portrayed Michelle Obama has a strong, independent woman who didn't take shit from the West Wing. After reading this, I feel for the Obamas. I wouldn't want to live in the White House.
emmastia's review
3.0
Interesting portrait of their marriage and relationship and how they have adjusted to white house life. Not as great on the political gossip front, but that was not really the focus or intent here. Most focused and interesting in regard to Michelle Obama and her transformation. I am glad I listened to it.
msmichaela's review against another edition
4.0
Totally fascinating (and well written) peek inside the Obama White House. I know the Obamas themselves don't like the book and contest some of its conclusions... but I kinda don't care.