A Promised Land
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-04-02 13:56:25
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Barack Obama
- ISBN：0241491517
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
A riveting， deeply personal account of history in the making-from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy。
In the stirring， highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs， Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world， describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency-a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil。
Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4， 2008， when he was elected 44th president of the United States， becoming the first African American to hold the nation's highest office。
Reflecting on the presidency， he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power， as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U。S。 partisan politics and international diplomacy。 Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room， and to Moscow， Cairo， Beijing， and points beyond。 We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet， wrestles with a global financial crisis， takes the measure of Vladimir Putin， overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act， clashes with generals about U。S。 strategy in Afghanistan， tackles Wall Street reform， responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout， and authorizes Operation Neptune's Spear， which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden。
A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective-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 balancing act of running for office as a Black American， bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of "hope and change，" and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making。 He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad， open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters， 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。
In the stirring， highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs， Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world， describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency-a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil。
Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4， 2008， when he was elected 44th president of the United States， becoming the first African American to hold the nation's highest office。
Reflecting on the presidency， he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power， as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U。S。 partisan politics and international diplomacy。 Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room， and to Moscow， Cairo， Beijing， and points beyond。 We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet， wrestles with a global financial crisis， takes the measure of Vladimir Putin， overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act， clashes with generals about U。S。 strategy in Afghanistan， tackles Wall Street reform， responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout， and authorizes Operation Neptune's Spear， which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden。
A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective-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 balancing act of running for office as a Black American， bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of "hope and change，" and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making。 He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad， open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters， 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
Heather
，
Is there anything more comforting than having Tom Hanks read 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 to you？Well， yes -Having Barack Obama read 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 to you。I relished every minute of this book on audio， which was gifted to me by @audible （Thank you， Audible！） and then I gifted myself the hardcover for my shelves。 This epic Presidential memoir is Part 1 of Obama's 8 years in office。 29 hours of listening。700+ pages of print。The man can write。 The man can talk。 Immediately upon finishing the audiobo Is there anything more comforting than having Tom Hanks read 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 to you？Well， yes -Having Barack Obama read 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 to you。I relished every minute of this book on audio， which was gifted to me by @audible （Thank you， Audible！） and then I gifted myself the hardcover for my shelves。 This epic Presidential memoir is Part 1 of Obama's 8 years in office。 29 hours of listening。700+ pages of print。The man can write。 The man can talk。 Immediately upon finishing the audiobook， I re-started the book's Preface because I wasn't ready for it to end。There were so many moments that stood out to me。 And it felt like I was listening to an old friend tell me about his day - well， 4 years worth of days。 And I loved every minute of it。（I also loved 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞， btw。 😉） 。。。more
Jed Herne
，
A really fascinating insight into what it's like to be the USA's President。 After reading this， I certainly don't envy anyone who gets the position！ Obama is an excellent storyteller， and he does a great job of making you feel the burdens - and the joys - he experienced during his time in office。 For me， the parts I enjoyed the most were the descriptions of life in the White House。 A lot of the financial crisis stuff went over my head， but I do think his recounting helped add to my understanding A really fascinating insight into what it's like to be the USA's President。 After reading this， I certainly don't envy anyone who gets the position！ Obama is an excellent storyteller， and he does a great job of making you feel the burdens - and the joys - he experienced during his time in office。 For me， the parts I enjoyed the most were the descriptions of life in the White House。 A lot of the financial crisis stuff went over my head， but I do think his recounting helped add to my understanding of this event。 Why not five stars？ I suppose I was hoping for more tangible lessons about leadership and decision-making， and while there were some things that helped with that， it was more focussed on the events themselves。 That's not a flaw by any means， but I wouldn't prefered some more tangible takeaways from his time in office。 I listened to the audiobook narration， and that helped add a lot to the story。 。。。more
Sjoerd Postma
，
A fantastic， historical， biographical， and at times intimate look into the first 4 years of Obama's presidency。 Listening to it as an audiobook， it was Obama himself sitting opposite you telling his story。 The only slight disappointment is a more detailed commentary on the Benghazi Raid and the dead of Chris Stevens。 I am looking forward to the description of the next four years。 A fantastic， historical， biographical， and at times intimate look into the first 4 years of Obama's presidency。 Listening to it as an audiobook， it was Obama himself sitting opposite you telling his story。 The only slight disappointment is a more detailed commentary on the Benghazi Raid and the dead of Chris Stevens。 I am looking forward to the description of the next four years。 。。。more
Carol Palmer
，
I enjoyed this book， but， wow， it is long。 It was interesting to read about this time period from a view inside the White House。 The book was uplifting， infuriating， funny， and sad。 Although the best part was just listening to our 44th President。
McKay
，
Interesting read with some insights into a presidency I did not expect to find。 Of course there is the typical run of the mouth about how this political party is better than that political party， but it was limited。 For that。。。I am grateful。 I would rather see our country continue its progress toward unification toward a common goal that benefits all Americans。 I know we are far from that goal and lately it appears we are further away from that dream than ever before。 With that being said， I tha Interesting read with some insights into a presidency I did not expect to find。 Of course there is the typical run of the mouth about how this political party is better than that political party， but it was limited。 For that。。。I am grateful。 I would rather see our country continue its progress toward unification toward a common goal that benefits all Americans。 I know we are far from that goal and lately it appears we are further away from that dream than ever before。 With that being said， I thank you President Obama for what you did and attempted to do for our country。 Although we don’t see eye to eye on a few things， I commend you for what you did for our country and your willingness to fight for what you believe in。 。。。more
Sam
，
This took almost 4 months， but its done。 I can move on。 I learned a ton， but it did get a bit drawn out toward the end。 Loved the personal bits and laughed out loud a few times。
Em Cooke
，
It really was everything I wanted it to be。 It was very policy heavy which is why it only got 4 stars。 But it’s worth it for the last chapter。 Stick it out。 And。。。 hurry home。
Elizabeth Preston
，
Maybe I had lower expectations （I wasn’t planning on reading this but， put a hold on the audiobook thru the library and it came up） but I thoroughly enjoyed it！ Covered big moments and small quiet moments。 All aspects of the campaigns and major policy issues。 He didn’t seem to pull his punches。 Well written and well paced。 Surprisingly enjoyable all the way around
Sarah
，
Truly fascinating look at the presidency， filled with personal insights and every detail you could ever want。 Which is partly why I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars， it was DENSE。 I’d read some and then take a break and read another book or two， so it took months to get through it。 That’s not a complaint， I wouldn’t want it to be less dense， just a fact lol。 I did skim parts that I wasn’t as interested in， but wow what an incredible look at history。
Terry
，
What a pleasure to read this first volume of the presidential memoir of an articulate， candid man。 President Obama shares his values， but admits the compromises necessary due to the realities of the political climate。 It is encouraging to know that some of our leaders are willing to put in the hard work necessary to make informed decisions。 Reading the detailed accounts of some of the crucial decisions - such as intervention in Libya and going after bin Laden - gives me hope that government can What a pleasure to read this first volume of the presidential memoir of an articulate， candid man。 President Obama shares his values， but admits the compromises necessary due to the realities of the political climate。 It is encouraging to know that some of our leaders are willing to put in the hard work necessary to make informed decisions。 Reading the detailed accounts of some of the crucial decisions - such as intervention in Libya and going after bin Laden - gives me hope that government can function well。 Reading about the rabid partisanship that paralyzed legislation dims that hope considerably。 。。。more
Sarah
，
I highly recommend the audiobook。 Listening to President Obama read for almost 30 hours is incredibly soothing。
Annettecalderon
，
I listened to this on Audible and found Obama's insights on policies passed during his administration fascinating to hear。 I was surprised by how much he reflected on his strengths and weaknesses and liked the personal stories he incorporated。 The ending was riveting and I enjoyed Obama's voice as the narrator。 Unsure if I will read part II of his memoir when it is released。 I listened to this on Audible and found Obama's insights on policies passed during his administration fascinating to hear。 I was surprised by how much he reflected on his strengths and weaknesses and liked the personal stories he incorporated。 The ending was riveting and I enjoyed Obama's voice as the narrator。 Unsure if I will read part II of his memoir when it is released。 。。。more
Nick Neaton
，
Came into this thinking it was about all eight years of his presidency。。。。。。3/4 of the way through I’m like， whoa it’s only 2009， you’ve got some ground to cover， man！Turns out， it’s really only term 1。Doang。
Christy Kaehne （Marks）
，
A guide on why to be a Democrat but mixed with in depth memories。
Kekoa Harman
，
I enjoyed reminiscing of President Obama's years in office。 From a political standpoint， we are sometimes familiar with the "news" aspect of the issues without understanding the struggles in leadership and decision making involved in making substantial policy change。 It was not always an easy read as the "struggles" are very real in changing/applying policy， but I am thankful and appreciative to politicians who really decide to go out there and try to make a difference through hard work and sacr I enjoyed reminiscing of President Obama's years in office。 From a political standpoint， we are sometimes familiar with the "news" aspect of the issues without understanding the struggles in leadership and decision making involved in making substantial policy change。 It was not always an easy read as the "struggles" are very real in changing/applying policy， but I am thankful and appreciative to politicians who really decide to go out there and try to make a difference through hard work and sacrifice。 。。。more
Léo
，
Incredible。 My attitude towards audiobooks has truly changed。 This book， narrated by Obama himself， is an incredible story of his political rise to President of the United States and accounts from his first term in office， culminating with the gripping and tense scenes of juggling Operation Neptune Spear （the mission to capture or assassinate bin Laden） with the correspondents dinner。 19 and a half hours is a very long time though， and it’s taken me months to get through this， there was a part a Incredible。 My attitude towards audiobooks has truly changed。 This book， narrated by Obama himself， is an incredible story of his political rise to President of the United States and accounts from his first term in office， culminating with the gripping and tense scenes of juggling Operation Neptune Spear （the mission to capture or assassinate bin Laden） with the correspondents dinner。 19 and a half hours is a very long time though， and it’s taken me months to get through this， there was a part around 3/4 of the book where I lost interest。 However， having listened to Obama so much， I have such a clear internal memory of his voice now that I can read anything in his voice in my head， a very useless trick 😂 。。。more
Stephanie
，
I had heard that this book only covered Obama’s early life and first term in office。 When I saw how long it was; I didn’t believe it。 But， it’s true。 He is a lovely writer and I loved learning about his upbringing and early life。 Loved the behind-the-scenes details of being president。 Some of the details with the economy and health care got a little long， but loved hearing about the capture of bin-Ladin。 Can’t wait for his next book （hopefully） detailing his second term in office！
Alex Beckett
，
Albeit 700 pages long， A Promised Land feels like light reading， and is very approachable。 This is because Obama writes extremely well - better than I thought he would。 At times the book is almost literary， and not what I would have expected from an ex-US president recounting his life up until close to the end of his first term in office， but Obama merges the two styles marvellously。 It is fascinating to read his thoughts， which are comfortably surrounded by key context， information that those n Albeit 700 pages long， A Promised Land feels like light reading， and is very approachable。 This is because Obama writes extremely well - better than I thought he would。 At times the book is almost literary， and not what I would have expected from an ex-US president recounting his life up until close to the end of his first term in office， but Obama merges the two styles marvellously。 It is fascinating to read his thoughts， which are comfortably surrounded by key context， information that those not accustomed with American politics may not know off the bat （as I didn't）， and colourful imagery， each of which the reader can find in droves as they delve through the book。 Really， I think there may be something for every kind of reader here: history buffs; politicos; the average 'reader' who simply enjoys language and stories and words。His writing is conversational， which I believe to be its standout feature。 I didn't feel as if I were being talked down to， as it were， through the medium of the page。 On the contrary， whilst reading certain lines aloud I could imagine quite easily Obama sat across from me， behind the Oval Office's Resolute desk， speaking them to me himself。 Whatever your opinion on his politics， on his character， on what he did in office， little can be more tantalising than a （relatively inexpensive） conversation with a former leader of the free world。 。。。more
Patrick Riley
，
I kinda feel like I would give this 5 stars if I was a true political junkie， but I think my interest in politics is only sort of "regular。" There are a lot of details about the jobs and challenges that Barack Obama faced， and I appreciated all of that， but I was really hoping for more "Obama" and less "jobs and challenges。" I kinda feel like I would give this 5 stars if I was a true political junkie， but I think my interest in politics is only sort of "regular。" There are a lot of details about the jobs and challenges that Barack Obama faced， and I appreciated all of that， but I was really hoping for more "Obama" and less "jobs and challenges。" 。。。more
Heather
，
Took two 14 day loans from the library to finish but I did it！ Very detailed and I feel like it was a well written book。 It was also interesting how he contrasted his thought process in making certain decisions to the message put out by the media。 It's definitely a long book though， so it takes some dedication to get through whether you are reading it or listening to the audiobook。 It was interesting to be reminded of some events in history and just how much happened during the beginning of his Took two 14 day loans from the library to finish but I did it！ Very detailed and I feel like it was a well written book。 It was also interesting how he contrasted his thought process in making certain decisions to the message put out by the media。 It's definitely a long book though， so it takes some dedication to get through whether you are reading it or listening to the audiobook。 It was interesting to be reminded of some events in history and just how much happened during the beginning of his time in office。 。。。more
Ali Cherek
，
I felt that I would have enjoyed this more if the length had been reduced by 1/3。 The last chapter （about the death of Bin Laden） is a must-listen， though。
Beth Smith
，
Absolutely loved it。 Cannot wait for part two。
Linda
，
Truth be known， I am an audiobook fan！ This may have been the best audiobook ever！ Just hearing Barack Obama’s voice had a calming effect on me！ While it could not replace all of the showmanship of the previous administration， it did offer the HOPE of the FUTURE！
Alexia
，
It was too politically taxing for me。 I appreciate the behind the scenes but after 300 pages of it I was done。 The first 300 were spent on getting into the WH。 the last 100 on foreign affairs with a finish to OBL。 This was only the first 2 years in the WH too。
Mike
，
Finished as an audible book， and you can't help but be drawn in by Obama's reading tempo and heart。 I did toy with 4 stars because of a endless stream of names （ almost a way of thanking his staff and friends for their work during his Presidency） but his underlying personality won through。 A truly honest man wanting to do right by others but held up by American policiting。 Even then he left the office a better place than when he arrived （good job really given the **** up of his replacement！） Finished as an audible book， and you can't help but be drawn in by Obama's reading tempo and heart。 I did toy with 4 stars because of a endless stream of names （ almost a way of thanking his staff and friends for their work during his Presidency） but his underlying personality won through。 A truly honest man wanting to do right by others but held up by American policiting。 Even then he left the office a better place than when he arrived （good job really given the **** up of his replacement！） 。。。more
Cindy
，
I gave this book 4 stars because I listened to it， and loved hearing Barack "talk to me" each day。 There is no way I could have slogged through all the policy and minutiae of the daily life of a president if I had the physical book。 Still， it was such a contrast to the past 4 years of shoot from the hip governing， and a great reminder that there are lots of people in our government that really do stop， think， learn， and weigh the consequences before making decisions。 I gave this book 4 stars because I listened to it， and loved hearing Barack "talk to me" each day。 There is no way I could have slogged through all the policy and minutiae of the daily life of a president if I had the physical book。 Still， it was such a contrast to the past 4 years of shoot from the hip governing， and a great reminder that there are lots of people in our government that really do stop， think， learn， and weigh the consequences before making decisions。 。。。more
Keri
，
Listened to the audio-took an incredibly long time for me but well worth it。 I found some topics （ie the financial crisis） and Wall Street reform） to be quite dry and drawn out， although I understand the reason。
Linda
，
Finally finished。。。。best to take it a little bit at a time。
Shelli
，
I have found it humorous watching interviews with Barack and Michelle Obama discussing their respective book sales compared to the other。 After reading both I can say with certainty that Michelle’s book is better。 As much as I enjoy watching the news and learning more about some of the details that seem to bore most people… this was still a little policy heavy at times。 Thankful for the audiobook， because a traditional read would have had me skimming at times。 That being said， I did walk away fr I have found it humorous watching interviews with Barack and Michelle Obama discussing their respective book sales compared to the other。 After reading both I can say with certainty that Michelle’s book is better。 As much as I enjoy watching the news and learning more about some of the details that seem to bore most people… this was still a little policy heavy at times。 Thankful for the audiobook， because a traditional read would have had me skimming at times。 That being said， I did walk away from this feeling more informed about Obama’s time in office， his struggles with Congress and appeasing Senators to pass much needed reform while trying to find a work/family life balance。 。。。more
Alexandre Huet
，
Il s'agit d'un regard percutant sur ses valeurs， l'organisation d'une campagne électorale， sur sa présidence， ses grands défis。 Il s'agit pour moi de la meilleure biographie que j'ai lu。 J'ai très hâte de lire le tome II。 Il s'agit d'un regard percutant sur ses valeurs， l'organisation d'une campagne électorale， sur sa présidence， ses grands défis。 Il s'agit pour moi de la meilleure biographie que j'ai lu。 J'ai très hâte de lire le tome II。 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=A Promised Land
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=A Promised Land&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,A Promised Land&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0