This was my Christmas present to H.I. this year.
Ha ha! I can see the looks on all your faces and they vary from one end of the spectrum to the other, on every level imaginable.
Ok, I know he may not be as attractive as Piers Morgan to some, but I would not mind betting that he would beat Trump in a last minute book purchase at an airport.
This man can write, and write very well. He is still a hero of mine, no matter what some deeply embittered people may say. I wish I could get him to sign our copy.
Nobody was born without flaws.
I am almost half through. I am reading it slowly, every word. Of course I remember nothing, but at least I understood it when I read it.
ReplyDeleteIncredible man, isn't he.
You remember the feeling of what you read, and that is the most important thing.
DeleteThe Obama’s are a class act.
ReplyDeleteA very rare thing in politics.
DeleteYou know, I'll bet you that if you wrote a short note to him telling him how much you enjoyed the book, you'd probably get a short note back. Something you could tuck inside that book. He's known for those things.
ReplyDeleteI did some work for a big celebrity here in England. I was in his house, talking to his wife when the housekeeper came in and said that another worker asked for his autograph. The man himself was not at home so the wife took up a pen and faked the signature. She said she did it all the time. I can't imagine how many people have asked Obama for his!
DeleteThere are wonderful stories of letters he's received from children. I'm sure that he doesn't write every letter himself, but I do believe that he signs them. I think it is a small and marvelous gift to put out into this world: encouragement. He IS a good person. Michele's book 'Becoming' was wonderful too. Both of them spent years working for the good of this nation. That's why Obama was such a good leader: he had a long history of working for the good of people.
DeleteFollowed by...
DeleteDon't read much in the way of autobiography. I was bought Mandela's a long time ago and still haven't read it. It hasn't gone to the charity shop yet, either though, so it's still in with a chance.
ReplyDeleteI don't read biographies of living people either, but I heard Obama reading from his own on the radio and thought H.I. might want it. He is an exception to the rule I think.
DeleteI have a token which I might well spend on this Tom - I have always been an admirer and it seems a good read.
ReplyDeleteI think it is Weave.
DeleteHe is a good writer and reader. Oh for a president who reads and writes! Good choice Tom.
ReplyDeleteBy the by, I have a colleague whose book was presented to Obama on his last trip to Australia, as an example of the heartland OZ lit.
DeleteYes ... trumpet meet blow ones own.
That is impressive. And to think I have a signed copy...
DeleteH.I. loved it too.
DeleteI like biographies and autobiographies and he is a good writer by all accounts but a 700 page biography of any politician of any nation or era takes a lot to keep up the enthusiasm to the last page. I don't think I will tackle it.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you. I think H.I. has more staying power than I do anyway. In fact I know she does.
DeleteOh, how often during the past 4 years I wished he were still in the White House. So refreshing recently for having seen and heard him more. Looking forward to reading this book. Happy, healthy 2021 from Across the Pond at the base of the mini-mountain.
ReplyDeleteAnd best wishes to you too.
DeleteI received his "Dream From My Father" which was first published in 1995. Looking forward to reading because, as you say, he is a very good writer.
ReplyDeleteIt is very unusual to get a good book from someone who isn't a ghost writer I think.
DeleteOne of the greatest thrills in my life was meeting him -sort of. Back in 2008, when Obama was in the primaries against Hillary (who I intended to vote for), his campaign was going through small towns in my area by train and stopping at some locations. I was babysitting my three small grandchildren that day, but packed them all up in the car and drove to the nearest station, hoping that I did not miss him. We got there with minutes to spare. Because I had three little kids with me, they let us go to the front. The train stopped and he stepped down and walked across to us. He is the definition of charisma. He was less than six feet from us and looked at us when he spoke. He got my vote that day and I told my granddaughters that they had just seen the next President. No one is perfect and mistakes were made, but I know he cared and did his best for us all. He is a good man.
ReplyDeleteFundamentally, he is genuinely a good man, even without comparison to his successor.
DeleteMy gift to my lady wife as well. He was extraordinary, in all good ways.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be a safe choice for 49 percent of people worldwide.
DeleteHe's a good man and I admire him and his family. How I've missed the Obamas these last 4 years! I won't buy the book, but I'm sure I'll borrow a copy at some point and read it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was given 'War and Peace' when I was 13. I have never read it all the way through.
DeleteI agree, think they are both decent people. I read both of their autobiographies and was disappointed. I found A Promised Land too earnest (a friend of mine said preachy). You are correct he can write and speak in full sentences.
ReplyDeleteHave read a lot of books on US politics in the last year. The best one for me, by a country mike, was Kim Durroch’s.
Or even a country mile!
ReplyDelete