This is a massive brick of a book so I was quite happy to spend the hours listening to the audio while doing laundry, driving, knitting, sewing, cooking, and cleaning with Barack reading in my ear. And it’s just Volume 1 of his latest memoir! 
It’s a wonderfully honest account of his time in office, a mix of personal and political stories that capture his integrity and perspective. Obama has the ability to be eloquent and down-to-earth at the same time. And he has a sense of humour, even using voices for some of his real life characters. He never pretends to have all the answers and is comfortable reflecting on the questions. He is humble in his achievements as well as vulnerable in sharing the challenges he faced and mistakes he made.
After reading Michelle’s book Becoming awhile ago, I was delighted to encounter some of the same stories, told a bit from the other’s perspective, but mostly completely the same. I think that says something about the solid couple that they are. It was fun to get his first impressions and descriptions of people like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Sarah Palin and a variety of world leaders. I enjoyed a rare inside glimpse of the White House, West Wing, Oval Office, and most fascinating of all Air Force One. The aircraft sports not only a host of creature comforts but also bedrooms and bathrooms, a conference room, press wing, and a medical team complete with fold-out operating table!
Barack Obama caused us to believe in the power of democracy, something we have observed once again in the last US election. His conviction is that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day. “When we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can!”
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