Sunday, January 18, 2009

Review and Giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama


About the Book: For decades Americans have turned to LIFE to see,
understand, and remember the most important events and people of our time. Just
as LIFE once opened up the glittering Kennedy White House, LIFE now focuses its
lens on Barack Obama. The American
Journey of Barack Obama covers the candidate from his childhood and
adolescence to his time as editor of The
Harvard Law Review and his Chicago activist years, culminating with the
excitement and fervor of the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. The
unfolding drama of Obama's life and political career is cinematic in scope, and
never has it been presented so compellingly. In addition to a powerful array of
photographs that were taken by many of the country's greatest photographers
(and some that were snapped, in the quiet moments, by Obama family members
themselves), this book also includes a Foreword by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, an
incisive narrative biography and original essays by some of our finest writers,
including Gay Talese, Charles Johnson, Melissa Fay Greene, Andrei Codrescu, Fay
Weldon, Richard Norton Smith, Bob Greene and several others. Many readers will find
a new understanding of Obama. All readers will feel that they are bearing
witness to a singular, undeniably American story.

My Thoughts: This is a beautiful book and a lovely piece of history for any fan of Barack Obama, presidential history, African American history, or biographies. The book has gorgeous photographs chronicling the life of Obama from the beginning of his life through his political career so far, as well as some thoughtful essays included in the back. If you are already familiar with the life of Barack Obama, this may not be anything new to you, but it does make a lovely coffee table book.

Hachette Book Group has generously offered one copy of this book for giveaway. In order to win this one, you need to have a US or Canadian street address. I'm only going to leave this giveaway open til Friday as a special way to celebrate this historic week. Leave a comment and tell me who your favorite president to read about is. (not counting Mr. Obama!)




Amy

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think my favorite president to read about is Nixon - probably because he is the first one that I can remember in my lifetime!

valerie2350 said...

I would love to win this book!!!!
Lincoln :)

Literary Feline said...

I'd like to enter, Amy. Hmm. My favorite President to read about . . . I would have to say Franklin Roosevelt. It's actually more his wife I am interested in, but that's a technicality. :-)

The Giveaway Diva said...

sounds like a good one! i lvoe to read about jfk, i think his life and deather are interesting!

danosor said...

I am Canadian and i think Barack Obama will make a great president.I hope i win this book.

linmoe@sympatico.ca

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book - I have been trying to win it since it came out. :)
I don't read about too many presidents, but I find Lincoln particularly interesting.

Erika Powell said...

I love to read about George Washington and the other founding fathers because I love history. Although I am excited to read this because I am living history. Thanks for the contest.
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com

Mari said...

I would love a chance to win this book. Thanks.

KR said...

I'd really rather read about the first ladies...but I'll pick Ronald Reagan. His life was so varied and interesting.

Amy said...

I'd love to win this book. My favorite president to read about is Jefferson.

mindy said...

this would be very profound reading i also like reading about roosevelt thanks for the giveaway

minsthins(at)optonline(dot)net

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

love reading about the older ones becuase many showed photos of the houses and the struggles..such as Lincoln, it was a different time. Looks interesting to read.

Simply Stacie said...

My favourite president to read about would be Bill Clinton.

Anonymous said...

I'd love this book for my classroom! I don't think I have a single favorite president, there are couple that are very admirable. I love hearing my dad telling stories about Reagen!

Anonymous said...

sorry, forgot to leave contact info.

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

durberville said...

oh I imagine the photos in this book are spectacular! I enjoy reading about President Lincoln.

kathy55439 said...

I like I would like to read about Franklin Roosevelt. I do not think one man can fix the world but I think out new President is going to do his best to fix what he can

cpullum said...

I just read the Washington story and also saw it on the History channel very interesting!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I've tried to win this book on a couple of other blogs - maybe this time will be my lucky moment! I don't read a lot of non fiction - but if I had to pick a President who would interest me it would either be Kennedy OR Lincoln. They were both ahead of their time and inspirational men.

Anya said...

Other than Obama, I think I'd like to read more about Jefferson. Thanks.

Stephanie said...

I think Teddy Roosevelt was an interesting guy, although Lincoln, of course, was cool (his son, Todd, fascinated me when I took a history class a few years ago).

I truly hope Obama goes down as one of the greats. :)

Wrighty said...

This looks like a beautiful book. I haven't seen it before but Life does an amazing job, especially with photography. Books like these we have a special place for on our shelves. There are so many interesting facts about the presidents but as a child I was always fascinated by Lincoln. Must have been a book report or something that got me started!

Thanks for your contest and your optimistic outlook for our new president. I hope and pray that he does his job well. I find him very inspirational and I too am cautiously optimistic. I think our country is ready for the change and ready to get to work ourselves. We need to be a part of the solution now and not sit back and watch. I feel so very fortunate to live in this country. It's time for us to get back on our feet again.

Ginny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

ginnyswe at gmail.com

I like Jefferson I think.

Thanks!

silverhartgirl said...

I love to read about Abe Lincoln.

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