A Promised Land

By: Barack Obama

Narrated by: Barack Obama

Length: 29 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making - from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy

NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times • NPR • The Guardian • Marie Claire

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 US 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 US 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.

©2021 Barack Obama (P)2021 Random House Audio

Color me grateful.

Mr. President,

Thank you for writing this beautiful book, it reads like poetry, so fluid, so pure. And, it’s perfect for such a time as this.
I am grateful for this book: a healing balm to my soul.
Kindly,
Ángela 🙏🏾❤️

Goosebumps and eye opening

Great narration. Found myself stopping what I was doing just to listen more intently. Goosebumps at some of his words

Excellent read!!

Five stars. This is an excellent book by former President Barack Obama and a must-read.

Chills listening to this

What an amazing book, the way Obama takes us through his life story from the Highs and Lows is quite remarkable. Thank you Mr. President ❤️

Simply wonderful

It is amazing to hear the story of President Obama’s road to office. It’s personal, honest, and soothing to hear his voice again. Use a credit on this!!

A must read

Hearing Obama’s baritone voice was like a salve after 4 years of Trump’s psychotic rants and tantrums. Obama was reflective on what he handled well and the pitfalls of the first of his two term presidency. This book was well written and reminded me of why I supported him for both of his terms. Many non-supporters say he accomplished nothing, they need to read this book and then research all his accomplishments. To name a few- killing of Bin Laden, pulling U.S. out of real estate bubble (which he inherited from Bush), and BP oil spill. Some reviews have given this book 1 star, they obviously only reviewed the book to slam it. They didn’t read the book or don’t like Obama. A partisan review engaged only to try to bomb the book. A one star would be true if it was written by a one year old. This book is eloquent, reflective, expressive and flows like a calm river. Looking forward to the 2nd volume.

A calming, familiar, and wise voice amidst the chaos.

I read Michelle Obama’s book as well, and it was interesting to hear their different perspectives of some of the same situations in Barack’s first book. Listening to him read his own stories was a true joy.

Great writer

Obama is a wonderful writer making you feel like your traveling in time with him and his thoughts. Great read.

Few books make more sense in Audible format

Few books make more sense in Audible format.
The story is great: accounting for the campaign up to the early years of Obama presidency. And since there are many memories and personal views, having it narrated by Barack Obama himself is a delightful experience.

Good Background but...

too much humble brag. Humility is a virtue to be shared, not morbid self-esteem.