I try to never discuss politics or religion on my blog and I plan on keeping it that way. I did however really want to read this book and I’m glad I did. This book has gotten quite a bit of buzz and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It has gotten quite a few mixed reviews. So let me start off with a little back ground about The Obamas by Jodi Kantor.
When Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, he also won a long-running debate with his wife Michelle. Contrary to her fears, politics now seemed like a worthwhile, even noble pursuit. Together they planned a White House life that would be as normal and sane as possible.
Then they moved in.
In the Obamas, Jodi Kantor takes us deep inside the White House as they try to grapple with their new roles, change the country, raise children, maintain friendships, and figure out what it means to be the first black President and First Lady. Filled with riveting detail and insight into their partnership, emotions and personalities, and written with a keen eye for the ironies of public life, THE OBAMASis an intimate portrait that will surprise even readers who thought they knew the President and First Lady.
Jodi Kantor began her journalism career by dropping out of Harvard Law School to join Slate.com in 1998. Four years later she became the Arts & Leisure editor of the New York Times, the youngest person in memory to edit a section of the newspaper. She has been covering the Obamas since 2007, writing about their faith, friends, marriage, roots, and family, among other topics. Jodi is a recipient of a Columbia Young Alumni Achievement Award, was named to Crain’s “Forty Under Forty” list of New Yorkers, and appears regularly on television. Though she is a Washington correspondent for the Times, she lives in Brooklyn with her family. Learn more at JodiKantor.net, her Facebook page, or on Twitter @JodiKantor.
My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the history about the president and Michelle Obama. I honestly knew little about their background. In reading the book I felt as if I was on this journey with them. I do however question some of the feelings that Kantor spoke about Michelle Obama having thought. How could she possibly know? I admire Michelle’s struggles to keep life as normal as possible, even though it is impossible to be a “normal” family when you are the “first family.”You learn alot about how their dynamics work in family, friends, their own relationship and politics.
More than a political tell all, this book is about relationships. In reading some other reviews you’d be lead to believe that this paints the first lady in a negative light. I feel as if it paints her as honest and human. The president as being born for all of this. The White House is not happy about this book at all. Imagine having every detail of your life criticized. It could be maddening. Then feeling that you’ve been mischaracterized as the first lady has expressed feeling. Depending on who you talk to Obama haters might love this book, but supporters might love it as well. I think it’s written from an honest perspective. I found it informative and a page turner. I don’t feel it paints a negative picture at all. I suppose it’s how you read into the information.
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