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oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
I listened to this as an audiobook and greatly enjoyed hearing former President Obama narrate the tale of him connecting to his roots and considering the meaning of his family and how they shaped him. This book was a slow burn for me as Obama layered story upon story of his heritage and culture, his upbringing, and how they made him the man he became.
Compelling and poignant, this book really went deep in his family tree - explaining the lives and deaths of generations of Obamas that came before the 44th President.
Slow and meandering at times, it wasn’t always clear what the meaning of a specific memory was, but summed up as a whole, this memoir told a comprehensive story about the importance of family to Barack and his early, formative years. It didn’t keep me hooked and felt a bit too long (so could have used for some better editing) but I was glad I read it nonetheless.
It was an easy book to pick up and put down as needed and would recommend to others. I look forward to finally reading the Audacity of Hope. Former President Obama has a delightful way with words, slowly drawing you in without you even knowing it, that is a pleasure and a joy.
Compelling and poignant, this book really went deep in his family tree - explaining the lives and deaths of generations of Obamas that came before the 44th President.
Slow and meandering at times, it wasn’t always clear what the meaning of a specific memory was, but summed up as a whole, this memoir told a comprehensive story about the importance of family to Barack and his early, formative years. It didn’t keep me hooked and felt a bit too long (so could have used for some better editing) but I was glad I read it nonetheless.
It was an easy book to pick up and put down as needed and would recommend to others. I look forward to finally reading the Audacity of Hope. Former President Obama has a delightful way with words, slowly drawing you in without you even knowing it, that is a pleasure and a joy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Colonisation
mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I own the paperback version of this book but listened to the audiobook through my library using Libby.
I think that this book provides a lot of context for Obama as a person outside of politics. I think that with the benefit of hindsight, it also sheds light on the decisions that he made as a Senator, political candidate, and President. The audiobook has the updated forward about how he wished he had included more of his mother in the pages of the story, rather than focusing almost exclusively on his father. I tend to agree that this is where the book falls short. It was interesting learning about Obama's relationship with his father and paternal family which is an important part of his story, but I do think that the ideological influences his mother had on him are just as important.
My favorite story from the book is also one of the saddest as it details Obama's visit to his father's funeral. The way that he was able to capture the various personalities and interpersonal conflicts demonstrated not only his compassion but descriptive writing style.
Overall this is a solid memoir of a political figure. It was an entertaining read and I enjoyed his writing style.
I think that this book provides a lot of context for Obama as a person outside of politics. I think that with the benefit of hindsight, it also sheds light on the decisions that he made as a Senator, political candidate, and President. The audiobook has the updated forward about how he wished he had included more of his mother in the pages of the story, rather than focusing almost exclusively on his father. I tend to agree that this is where the book falls short. It was interesting learning about Obama's relationship with his father and paternal family which is an important part of his story, but I do think that the ideological influences his mother had on him are just as important.
My favorite story from the book is also one of the saddest as it details Obama's visit to his father's funeral. The way that he was able to capture the various personalities and interpersonal conflicts demonstrated not only his compassion but descriptive writing style.
Overall this is a solid memoir of a political figure. It was an entertaining read and I enjoyed his writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
maple_dove's review against another edition
I just couldn't get myself to continue reading. This is a good book, though.
Quote I wrote down:
Quote I wrote down:
"Understand something, boy. You're not going to college to get educated. You're going there to get trained. They'll train you to want what you don't need. They'll train you to manipulate words so they don't mean anything anymore. They'll train you to forget what it is that you already know. They'll train you so good, you'll start believing what they tell you about equal opportunity and the American way and all that shit. They'll give you a big office and invite you to fancy dinners, and tell you you're a credit to your race. Until you want to actually start running things, and then they'll yank on your chain and let you know that you may be a well-trained, well-paid nigger, but you're a nigger just the same."
"So what is it you're telling me--that I shouldn't be going to college?"
"No. I didn't say that. You've got to go. I'm just telling you to keep your eyes open. Stay awake." (Pg. 93)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Sexism, and Blood
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
Poverty (graphic), Underage drinking (minor)
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