The American Journey of Barack Obama
by The Editors of Life Magazine
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Book Reviews of The American Journey of Barack Obama
Book Review: A gorgeous coffee table book; nothing more, nothing less.
Summary: 4 Stars
I've long been a fan of the Time/Life glossy pictorial hardcovers (e.g., the Time Annual Year in Review and Life Album: Pictures of the Year series), so when Life's THE AMERICAN JOURNEY OF BARACK OBAMA became available through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program, I jumped at the chance to review a copy. Though I'm not an Obama voter - I supported Kucinch in the primaries, McKinney/Clemente in the general election - I found myself moved by the historic nature of his campaign (and victory) nonetheless. In particular, the photos and speeches which came out of the 2008 campaign cycle have proven poignant and inspirational; considering previous Life volumes, I hoped that this book might capture some of the more memorable campaign moments.
Since THE AMERICAN JOURNEY OF BARACK OBAMA is largely a work of photojournalism, let's start with the photographs. TAJOBO is a gorgeous, colorful book, filled to the brim with photos: Obama/Dunham and, later, Obama/Robinson family snapshots; photos of Barack Obama during his college years; pictures taken throughout Obama's political career; candid shots of Barack and Michelle with children Sasha and Malia; and, of course, a number of photos from the campaign trail, including a few stills of the Obamas working the daytime talk show circuit. If you followed the 2008 elections, no doubt you'll recognize some of the more iconic photographs, such as the one of Obama, leaning back in an office chair, with a phone nestled snugly between ear and shoulder, feet propped up on a desk - showing two very beaten, worn soles.
Sadly, Life only includes a few photos of Obama's supporters, taken during his speeches and rallies; of the shots they do include, most are of the stadium-sized crowds, rather than of individual supporters. For me, these have been some of the most moving and emotional images from the campaign trail: seeing African American children and adults interact with Obama and react to his speeches. It's a shame that Life didn't feature more of these photographs.
In regards to the biographical text of TAJOBO, the book is primarily divided into five sections: Roots, Boyhood, A Young Man on the Rise, Chicago and Washington. The biographical section is largely laudatory, as you might expect; after all, one purchases Life pictorials for the photos - the hard hitting journalism, not so much.
The final section, Aspects of Obama, features twelve essays from "fine thinkers" (while I probably take in more CSPAN than your average American, none of the names ring a bell), with the goal of examining how Obama is viewed "by the black man and the white, the cultural anthropologist and the historian, the northerner and the southerner, the immigrant and the foreigner, the woman who suffered when Hillary got beat." While this section practically begs for an essay critical of Obama - just one, mind you! - the editors at Life wouldn't hear of it. Likewise, the specter of racism is discussed in depth, as it should be - as I noted above, this was a historic election cycle. However, 2008 was notable not just because it saw the first African American presidential candidate on a major party ticket - but because he was competing against the first viable female candidate in the Democratic primaries. Just as race(ism) was at the forefront in 2008, so too was sex(ism) - but the misogyny directed at Hillary Clinton and her supporters (and later, Sarah Palin and her supporters), is barely given a nod. But again, I expected as much when I requested the book from LT; a masterpiece of political journalism, TAJOBO is not.
To be fair, THE AMERICAN JOURNEY OF BARACK OBAMA doesn't claim to be a comprehensive biography or exhaustive journalistic endeavor. Rather, it's a pretty book, meant to commemorate the first African American President of the United States. (I somewhat doubt that Life would have released THE AMERICAN JOURNEY OF JOHN MCCAIN, had Obama lost the election, you know?) In this, the editors at Life largely succeed; and yet, because Obama's American journey is also a journey shared by the many people of color who supported Obama, campaigned on his behalf, braved harsh weather and crushing throngs in order to hear him speak, and celebrated with him when he won the election, I can't help but feel as though more of the photos in this (photo)essay could have - should have - been dedicated to them: "Yes WE Can."
Book Review: Who is Barack Obama?
Summary: 5 Stars
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, will remain one of the great historic moments in American history. On that day Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. takes office as 44th president of the United States. Almost one hundred fifty years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed freeing all slaves, a man with African blood flowing through his veins will take office. It is a momentous occasion.
Yet Mr. Obama is not one of the descendants of slaves. His father was directly from Africa, with their line never having served as slaves. Is this point important? Only in that Mr. Obama is not like other African Americans. His life is truly multicultural, a totem of new value, new dimensions, new ways. He also has Muslim roots through his handful of years in Indonesian schools, largely Muslim, a fact quietly glossed over, but a pertinent piece of information. Why? His Muslim connection gives him a look into a world, albeit brief, that the vast majority of Americans will likely never know. A person with speaking knowledge of various cultures, as Mr. Obama has, brings to the presidential table great value. In his brain are connections to other ways, other peoples, other values. Mr. Obama is a rare type of person entering the Oval Office.
"The American Journey of Barack Obama" makes clear so many things about this man standing on the threshold of change, for in his blood, in his brain are changes most Americans will never experience. One of the essays in the book comes to us from Gay Talese and is "About Ann." Miscegenation--"a once-derogatory term that is rapidly being phased out in the language," a term in the South that, in some corners, still denotes something very ugly.
My grandmother, a down-home country woman of the South, used to tell us a story about these cookies. When God made his first batch of cookies, they were burned. These were "colored folks," she said. Undercooked cookies were "white folks." Still, the cookies weren't right. Then God made cookies that came out "just right." These were all the other races. (My grandmother was definitely a woman ahead of her times.) I would suggest a different ending: the cookies that are "just right" are mixed race cookies, so that we no longer consider race at all.
Mr. Obama's mother reared her son to be proud of his black cultural inheritance: jazz, blues, Harlem literature. But, like many, most (?) mixed race children, he really didn't know where he belonged until the day he understood he was both races.
I include this background because I was profoundly moved by his experiences. He struggled through high school, acting out at times. Finally, at Columbia he found himself as an academic, as a sponge, thirsty for knowledge. The book clearly takes the reader along his journey in finding himself and in finding Michelle, a supremely modern woman, assured, intelligent, independent, yet part of the Obama package. This is a duo that will, in all probability, outshine that other amazing duo--Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Read the essays, study the photographs. Climb alongside Barack Obama on his journey into what it means to be American. Like the "cultural melting pot," being American can mean many things, determined by the individual American. However, as Mr. Obama repeatedly expresses, we all share the same journey as Americans, uniting us, leaving behind old prejudices, old ways of looking at each other.
Yes, we can. Anything is possible. Thank you, President Obama!
Book Review: Beautiful book, great for gift or coffee table/office regardless of political views
Summary: 5 Stars
Perfect for : Personal reading, Gift book, Great coffee table/office book
This is an absolutely beautiful book. The pictures are wonderfully candid and bright, and the information contained within the book gives us some wonderful information on the life of our soon-to-be 44th President of the United States. With an inspirational foreword by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the book starts by allowing readers to see Obama's family tree, showing an impressive seven half-brothers and half-sisters! We then get to see photos (and read information) of his family, his childhood, his school years, and his early career and his entry into politics. As readers, we also get the opportunity to see him as a boy, a man, a teacher, a husband, a father, a politician, etc. This is a wonderful look at a fascinating life. There is no doubt that readers will learn a lot about our 44th President, and they will get to see the many sides of Barack Obama!
My Review:
This is a beautiful book, which contains a multitude of pictures and facts about the 44th President of the United States. It was a joy to leaf through the pages of the book, pausing to read the captions of the pictures, or the information contained on the pages. Regardless of your political views, this is an interesting book, which I certainly recommend!
Characters: As a non-fiction book, the "characters" are Barack Obama and his family. We get to have a candid look at his life growing up, and as an adult. We also get to learn tidbits of the rest of his family, making his story that much more interesting.
Story-Line: This is the story of Barack Obama's life. It is amazing in that his father is from Kenya, and he has had to work hard to achieve his accomplishments.
Readability: The information in the book is easy to read, and broken up into a great time-line with lots of pictures. The pictures within the book are amazing, and fun to look through.
Overall: I highly recommend this book. It is a beautiful representation of an amazing life. Regardless of your political views, this is a wonderful way to gain some insight into the life of the 44th President of the United States. I particularly loved the photographs of him with his wife and/or girls. He seems to be a wonderful family man. This book would be a great addition to a personal book collection, as well as a professional/business collection (why not put a copy in your office or lobby?).
Book Review: The Simple Life of a Great Man
Summary: 5 Stars
Many times has it has been said, Barack Obama comes from humble roots: an absent father, being raised by his grandparents in Hawaii, excels and acheives all the way to Harvard. His meteoric rise, the result of a supportive extended family, and a fierce intellect, is inspirational enough. Life has taken that story, and told it again, this time, accompanied by some of the most touching and revealing pictures I have seen of Obama yet.
The pictures span his own life, from childhood to the present, and offer a glimpse into the world of this man who might be about 44th president. The pictures of his childhood are absolutely endearing, and show what a diverse world Obama came from. Growing up in Hawaii, he was often the only student with partial African-American heritage in his classes, and he recounts how kids wanted to touch his hair because it was so different. One picture of his grandmother hugging him at his graduation reveals intense love and pride she had; it's one of my favorites just because of the look on her face.
As Barack grows up, the man that we see today starts to take shape; out of college, this gangly community organizer meets his future wife Michelle Obama, and a glimpse into their love and their relationship shows up in the book. I am always particularly touched by any picture of Barack and his girls. They are poignant, fun, and show Obama in the role he probably loves best: dad.
One final photo in a book of trememdous photos really brings Barack to the everyday man: a picture of him with his feet up, and holes in the bottom of the soles of his shoes. I look in my closet, and see most of my shoes with the same problem, and I realize how much like me, like all of us, this man truly is. Life has created a book that anyone, Barack Obama voter or not, would be proud to have on their shelf, in their collection.
Book Review: capturing the awsome essence of this beautiful man
Summary: 5 Stars
i remember back in 2004, at the Demorcratic National Convention, the atmosphere was moderately enthusiastic as you would see in many a policital convention. Al Gore was running for president. everyone was of course in somewhat an excited relm of exuberance. Untill, a tall, slim, statesque man of 6 ft 2 came on the scene. He was incredibly handsome, serious classy swagger and finesse. and when he spoke, he had the whole convention in the palm of his hand! the people were intranced! The questions started to buzz. "Who was that man?" "Where did he come from?" "What is his name again?" "How do you say his name?" As i watched him and listened to him, something deep down inside of me said, "Oh my God...That is our next President!" from then on, i kept up with this man, watching his every move. the man is magnificent in his presence. When he walks into a room, everything stops and there is a hush in the crowd. You have to admit President Obama is Superstar status. there has not been a President in the history of the United States that has captured the hearts of americans and around the world like President Barack Obama. He is loved everywhere and those that don't love him are jealous of his magnificnce. He is a simple man but in essence he is not. I am looking forward to reciving this wonderful book and yes, it will make a wonderful gift to all the up and comming young men who want to walk in greatness. and i will be giving this book as presents. if anybody is involved in any youth organization,please buy this book for them. they would truly appreciate it because it's a wonderful thing to emulate greatness, but in order to emulate greatness, one must practice humility as well. and President Barack Obama signifies that. and i know these beautiful pictures shows it.