A Promised Land

Description:

Theme:

A Promised Land by Barack Obama, explores the theme of compromise, prejudice, reflection and self-assessment, and the importance of history.

Summary:

It is the first of a planned two-volume series. Remaining focused on his political career, the presidential memoir documents Obama’s life from his early years through to the events surrounding the killing of Osama bin Laden in May 2011.

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 U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy.

Famous Quotes:

“I experienced failure and learned to buck up so I could rally those who’d put their trust in me. I suffered rejections and insults often enough to stop fearing them. In other words, I grew up—and got my sense of humor back.”

“I’d met my share of highly credentialed, high-IQ morons”

“But you don’t choose the time. The time chooses you. Either you seize what may turn out to be the only chance you have, or you decide you’re willing to live with the knowledge that the chance has passed you by.”

“Have you ever noticed that if there’s a hard way and an easy way, you choose the hard way every time? Why do you think that is?”

“there was the unsettling fact that, despite whatever my mother might claim, the bullies, cheats, and self-promoters seemed to be doing quite well, while those she considered good and decent people seemed to get screwed an awful lot.”

“Glory and tragedy, courage and stupidity – one set of truths didn’t negate the other. For war was contradiction, as was the history of America.”

“The truth is, I’ve never been a big believer in destiny. I worry that it encourages resignation in the down-and-out and complacency among the powerful.”

Literary awards:

- Audie Award for Narration by Author (2022)
- Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography (2020)
- NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction (2021)

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