Yeahhhh, as soon as A promised land by Barack Obama came out, I had to buy it. Honestly, I did not only buy the hardcover edition, but also the audiobook. I mean, what a soothing voice this former president has! Last year I read  and listened to Becoming by his wife Michelle Obama. I really loved her story. Did I enjoy his story as well? Find out below!

The book cover

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.

My first impression of A promised land

Oh gosh, I could listen to his voice for hours and hours! The only thing is that I get distracted really easily. This means I miss a lot of everything being said. That’s why I have the paper book as well. Switching between listening and reading works for me. It’s interesting to have a look inside the former president’s life.

The story

A promised land tells a part of Barack’s Obama story. From the time he was a little boy, to his family life, to his rise as a politician and the beginning of his first presidency. I understood there will be more parts because this 768 page book wasn’t enough. 😉

In the beginning of his life he wasn’t as politically inclined as you might think. However, as soon as he became a senator everything rapids. His reasoning for running for president was that the world, but also black, latino and other kids would be able to think differently about themselves and their opportunities.

He further elaborates on many aspects and events during his first term and he explains how he experienced it. For example about how he managed the financial crisis, how he managed several wars and a humanitarian operation, how republicans tried to stop any form of progress, how his family coped with life in the White House and the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden.

My opinion

A promised land was such an interesting read! Although Michelle Obama’s Becoming felt a bit more intimate, this book does give you a closer look into his life.

The presidency is not an easy job, of course that kind of goes without saying. But how he handled it is pretty inspiring. Especially when you read about how many different difficult situations he had to be involved in all at once, while being opposed by either Republicans, foreign governments or other parties. He is very respectable, that much can be acknowledged no matter your political preference.

Conclusion of A promised land

This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in politics. Even if you do not agree with him politically, he is very inspiring. Also, his voice is very soothing somehow, so if you like audiobooks, definitely listen to it!

Verdict

Educated by Tara Westover immediately grabbed my attention by its summary. When I googled it a bit more, I saw that the reviews of this book were all very positive.  I was curious, so not long after I learned about its book existence I read it. Was I as positive as those other reviews? Find out below!

Book cover of Educated

“Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.”

My first impression

My association with kids who don’t get an education is not directly linked with the United States, but there it is! It is such a strange, unsafe environment she grew up in. It’s so weird to think that in the Western world it is somehow still possible to fly under the radar. She didn’t even have a birth certificate for years and yeas. It is a baffling and very interesting read.

The story

This book is a memoir of Tara Westover who grew up in a Mormon, survivalist home in rural Idaho. That means that her parents (mostly her father) believed that the world was coming to an end. Boy, was he disappointed when the world still existed after 12 o ‘clock on December 31st 1999.

Her parents don’t believe in the school system, in hospitals, in doctors, dentists and anything that is of the government. Therefore, Tara was kept home and she had to work in her father’s junkyard. Her mother, a herbalist and reluctant midwife, would homeschool her, but besides from giving a few books she never really did.

Tara Westover grows up believing all sorts of strange things and the extent of the extremity during her upbringing is uncovered more and more during the book. She was 17 when she first set foot in a classroom. She was shocked to learn about the world, she hadn’t known about the Holocaust for example. However, as she continued her studies she even ended up studying at Cambridge University and Harvard University. She even pursued her PhD at the Cambridge University. She got educated.

My opinion

This is an extraordinary book of an extraordinary person. She must be extremely smart to be able to go from no education to college and even a PhD later on. Despite her violent brother, insane father and spinless mother, she is very mild about them towards the end of the book though, I guess it is hard to stop loving your family.

Conclusion of Educated

This is such a good book! I could keep writing about it, but I don’t want to accidentally write a spoiler. It’s just so weird to realize that there are children who grow up like this. Tara Westover’s story is bizarre but also empowering, she achieved what not even people under the best circumstances are guaranteed to achieve. I highly recommend this book.

Verdict

As I have Amazon Prime, every once in a while they offer me a free audiobook. I much prefer paper books, but I thought why not? Because of the offer, I chose Becoming by Michelle Obama because I already read a lot of great reviews. Next to the audiobook, I also bought the e-book so I read it half/half. It turned out its nice to listen to a book while traveling to and from work.

The book cover

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era.

As First Lady of the United States of America-the first African-American to serve in that role-she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

My first impression

The book is chronological and starts off with her youth. It is interesting to read about where she came from. She grew up with parents who stimulated her to reach high and to not give up. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago, a neighborhood getting worse as she grew up. I am curious to read more about her later life!

The story

The book is divided in three parts: becoming me, becoming us and becoming more. It first tells of her youth, growing up as an African-American female on the South Side of Chicago in a cramped up apartment. Her family was tight-knit. Her parents supported her along the way and made sure she got the best education possible. It then continues to her going off to Princeton and Harvard Law School.

When she started working as a lawyer, she met Barack Obama. Even when they started dating he was driven to make the world a better place for others. She describes the times when Barack was a senator, they got married and had kids and eventually his running for president.

And then she became the First Lady. She started her own initiatives, without getting too political. Meanwhile, she was balancing being a mother, getting used to all the staff, her anonymity lost, the threads they got and all the tasks that you get when you become First Lady.

The book ends when Donald Trump is elected to be the new president.

My opinion

I never knew a lot about Michelle Obama, but now I feel I do. The book is a very intimate and open portrait of her. She is very honest about her insecurities and worries which makes her very likeable and real. She came a long way, being born both African-American and female in the United States.

What I really liked about the book, is that it really humanized her. Despite of Barack and her being in the powerful position they were in, they never forgot people who were impoverished or went through devastation such as shootings or natural disasters. It seemed they really wanted the best for their family, the nation and the world.

She really seems inspiring, empathic, empowering and strong-willed. Finishing the book, it felt like saying goodbye to a friend.

Conclusion of Becoming

I loved this book! The only point of criticism is that I would have wanted to read more about the time during the presidency. However, the book is about her and her becoming, so I do understand the chapter divide. I highly recommend reading this book, as it opens your eyes to not only her life, but also being African-American and female in the political world of The United States.

Verdict