In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father--a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man--has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey--first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother's family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African ...
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In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father--a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man--has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey--first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother's family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father's life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance. Pictured in lefthand photograph on cover: Habiba Akumu Hussein and Barack Obama, Sr. (President Obama's paternal grandmother and his father as a young boy). Pictured in righthand photograph on cover: Stanley Dunham and Ann Dunham (President Obama's maternal grandfather and his mother as a young girl).
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Barack Obama had a childhood that ranged from Bali to Hawaii; struggling to find himself. He attended college in Hawaii then switched, ending up at Harvard Law. Many of his doubts growing up as a biracial child, living with his American grandparents, meeting his Kenyan grandfather only twice, once when he was 8, left him with questions about his family in Kenya and took him on a trip there with his half-sister. Before that he worked in community development in Chicago, under hard circumstances but persevered for 3 years. And he promised to return, which he did. The trip to Kenya was mind opening, and this reader feels that Obama was the most trained, ready to lead President the USA has ever had. Look forward to his later books as this only goes to the beginning of his political life.
Myrna
May 9, 2016
Wonderful
I read this book before but lost it! I was happy to finish again!
CALSGAL
Apr 30, 2010
Misplaced Dreams
I voted for Obama, but was disappointed in his views. Not what you would think of for our President..
pamela1717
Aug 29, 2009
Audiobook.
I don't even feel as if I should give this any type of star rating but I am required so I give it 2 stars. A bit disappointing for me and maybe it was because of Obama's narration...I'm just not sure. It just seemed to drone on and on for me and when I got to the part I was looking forward to (Obama travelling back to Africa) I realized I wasn't really listening anymore so I just decided to stop (and I only had 1.5 CDs to go). I was also a little turned off by the "unofficial" campaign blurb he gave in the first 3 tracks before the narration began--not necessary to the story. Too bad, I was looking forward to this one but maybe I just couldn't relate or perhaps I would have done better if I'd experienced this as a printed media rather than an audio one. Still, as he is our current president I would still recommend to others to read (but not listen to).
csreader
Aug 21, 2009
Give insight into the live and experiences lived by our president
