A Promised Land

By: Barack Obama

Narrated by: Barack Obama

Brought to you by Penguin.

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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.

WINNER OF BEST NARRATION BY THE AUTHOR - AUDIE AWARDS 2022

'What is unexpected in A Promised Land is the former president's candour' David Olusoga, Observer

'Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming' Justin Webb, Mail on Sunday

© 2020 Barack Obama (P) 2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Gorgeously written, humorous, compelling, life affirming (Justin Webb)

Beautifully written and disarmingly candid . . . leavened with telling asides, poignant vignettes, painterly character sketches and an occasional corker of a joke (Tony Allen-Mills)

As a work of political literature A Promised Land is impressive. Obama is a gifted writer (Gary Younge)

Barack Obama is as fine a writer as they come . . . the prose gorgeous in places, the detail granular and vivid (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)

What is unexpected in A Promised Land is not its literary elegance but the former president's candour (David Olusoga)

I loved A Promised Land . . . President Obama is unusually honest about his experience in the White House, including how isolating it is to be the person who ultimately calls the shots. It's a fascinating look at what it's like to steer a country through challenging times

Deeply enjoyable . . . Obama is such a fluent and warm writer and so good at describing events and people

Beautifully written . . . it's probably the best volume of autobiography from a former president in modern times (Sean O'Grady)

Remarkably candid and beautifully written . . . It should bring inspiration for we Brits who want to build our own version of inclusive patriotism here at home (David Lammy)

Gives a very human insight into the White House

A beautiful story told by an incredible human!

The best told stories giving you the view of the life of one in a lifetime President, Husband and Father!

Personal, lucid, great

Listening to Obama perform his oratory skills is a treat in itself. His personal account of probably the best US presidency in our lifetime, during a few tumultuous years in world history is another rewarding experience. His account, that keeps you hooked throughout, gives a well defined perspective of American and World politics. He speaks of the ups and downs of his years in office, the heartbreak in meeting those whose lives have been broken by war, the tempered jubilance of pushing through legislation that will change the life course of millions and his meetings with World leaders, all the while, battling racist undertones that plague US till this day.
A must read for anyone interested in political awareness, history and the well written word.

The best memoir ever written and read

Obama brilliantly tells the story of his ascent and first term in the White House in an engaging, thoughtful, and at times thrilling account. To experience this story read by the author made me feel as if I were sitting in the Oval Office with him, listening to him explain the multiple crises his administration faced with such poise, determination, and rationality. This book serves as a historical account, an introduction to progressive politics, a political thriller, a philosophical essay, a love letter to the best of what America stands for, and so much more. I cannot wait for part two!

An enjoyable and insightful educational piece

This was read as no doubt it was written, carefully. Very interesting introductions which led into the author's then experience. I appreciated the personal honest regarding his own flaws or actions, and the, without pointing the finger, way he described the actions of politicians. The media, well... Barack Obama articulated exactly how they fit into the world's chaos and the role they play. I was looking forward to hearing the rest of his term but the writing ended. I will have to wait for his next installment.

Simply Amazing

this is the first review i ever make in audible this book is that good. you're going to love this book from beginning to end