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Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage List Price: $25.99 Sale Price: $1.95 Used From: $1.47 Average Rating:   |
Description
"She is my rock—the one person who keeps it real." —Barack "I don't want anybody to think that it's easy. . . . We have a strong marriage, but it's not perfect." —Michelle They exploded onto the world scene and within a matter of a few short years captured the ultimate political prize. In so doing, they became a First Couple like no other: He—the biracial son of a free-spirited Kansas-born woman and a mercurial Kenyan father who abandoned him at an early age—was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia, educated at Columbia and Harvard, and launched his political career in America's heartland. She, by contrast, was the product of a solidly middle-American family with roots planted firmly in Chicago's working-class South Side—paving the way for her to achieve her dreams of an Ivy League education and a position at one of the nation's top law firms. By the time they claimed the White House in one of the most hotly contested presidential races in modern history, Barack and Michelle Obama were seen by millions around the world as the new Jack and Jackie Kennedy—brilliant, attractive, elegant, youthful, exciting. Accompanied by their two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, the Obamas would arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with the promise of a new Camelot all but assured. Given the obvious historic significance of what they have accomplished together, the marriage of Barack and Michelle stands as one of the great personal and political partnerships in American history. Yet, incredibly, the true nature of that relationship has remained a mystery. Until now. In the style of his No. 1 New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as his bestselling books about the Kennedys, the Clintons, and the Bushes, author Christopher Andersen draws on important sources—some speaking here for the first time—to paint the first complete, compelling portrait of America's first black First Family. Among the many intriguing insights and stunning revelations: New behind-the-scenes details of the Obamas' courtship and marriage—and the lovers who went before. The early tragedies that shaped both Barack's and Michelle's personalities, and how those events haunt them to this day. Also, new information about Barack's rootless childhood, at times tortured adolescence, and the true extent of his early drug use. How Barack's ambition put a strain on their relationship from the very beginning, how close the Obamas really came to breaking up, and how Michelle made the difficult decision that saved their marriage. The little-known near-tragedy that brought Barack and Michelle closer than they had ever been. How Michelle may have saved her husband's presidential campaign, and her surprising behind-the-scenes role as the president's chief advisor. The pressures and delights of raising two young girls in the relentless glare of the media, and how, like Jack and Jackie Kennedy before them, Barack and Michelle strive to make the lives of America's two most famous children as "normal" as possible. Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage is an intimate and ultimately riveting look at their unique partnership, and the humor, faith, fortitude, and grace that defines it. It is, above all, an extraordinary American love story.
Features
- ISBN13: 9780061771965
- Condition: New
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Reviews
I'm not a Fan of Barack but this book was a good read and seemed to be one of the more HONEST things about him.
This selected biography includes individual incidents that Barack and Michelle endured and information already in the public domain. Clear, rare, and extraordinary, Barack's not racially poisoned. He was raised to believe "to be black was to be the beneficiary of a great inheritance, a special destiny." Michelle, raised in South Chicago by loving parents, was deeply rooted in the black community, or as Jeremiah Wright would say, "the hood." Regardless of geography, Barack and Michelle experienced rare childhoods and share similar minds. They married, had the kids, and the arguing began. Barack's political ambitions grew cumbersome. They even considered divorce before a crisis changed their life. They worked together on many campaigns to change public policy. Who knew they would change history? ||President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle, seemingly complement each other; obliviously work as a team, but they do not profess to have a perfect marriage. //Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage// is a well-written, inspirational page-turner. Reviewed by Vivian Dixon Sober
This book takes a look at what events and people have shaped both Barack and Michelle in who they are. They are portraid as real people who, in all reality, have a very ordinary marriage, yet an extraordinary focus as a couple. It helped me understand who they are and some of the choices they have made.
I did find out new information about the Obama's in this book. I feel it gives the readers insight on their lives before marriage, during the early years and through the campaign. It doesn't sugar coat their personalities, which I like. If you like politics and history, you will like this book!
I've just finished immersing myself in Christopher Andersen's terrific new book "Barack and Michelle Portrait of an American Marriage. Before I started reading, I thought I knew an awful lot about the Obamas. Obviously not. We all know the broad outlines of the their story -- his exotic parentage and upbringing and her more familiar story of growing up bright and black in Chicago and facing bigotry at this country's most elite universities. I was especially interested in and impressed by the story of their early days. What has always impressed me about the Obamas is their elegant ease -- the way they connect with people seems genuine and a welcome departure from the usual stilted, artificial interaction we so often see between politicians, their spouses and voters. Andersen's book gives you insight into what molded the President and the First Lady as the author presents, piece by piece, the experiences, people and places that played a role in who they have become. This book should be required reading for everyone who wants to better understand the Obamas. I loved every page of it.
