⇒ Read Free Becoming Michelle Obama 9781524763138 Books

Becoming Michelle Obama 9781524763138 Books

Download As PDF : Becoming Michelle Obama 9781524763138 Books

Becoming Michelle Obama 9781524763138 Books

I eagerly anticipated this book for two reasons that don’t fit well together. First, although I do not know the Obamas, I have several friends who are close personal friends of both Michelle and Barack (this results from my attending law school while Barack was teaching, and living in Chicago for some years thereafter). Second, I am not particularly a fan of their politics, although I obviously have nothing against them personally. Thus, I think I can offer an objective view of this book—and I found it both moving and worthwhile.

What comes across most in this book is Michelle Obama’s lack of self-pity combined with clarity of vision. I suspect this was a difficult book to write—she knew that whatever she wrote, somebody, and maybe a lot of people, would criticize her for it. She therefore focuses quite a bit on what might be called practical insight and empowerment, rather than on settling political scores. That’s probably a wise choice—after all, her husband’s terms as President showed that very few people were interested in political settlements or compromise.

The first third of the book covers her childhood (“Becoming Me”). Contrary to the stereotype of Democrats as the party of the elite, Obama’s childhood, at least, was working class. She grew up in the lower middle class South Shore neighborhood of Chicago; her father was a boiler operator. Obama grew up in a stable household where her parents made their high expectations clear, though family life had its challenges, especially her father’s falling ill with multiple sclerosis. Still, she managed to go to Princeton, then Harvard Law, and then to work at the ultra-prestigious Chicago law firm of Sidley & Austin, where she met Barack (and where my wife worked, a few years after that time). I started law school in 1991, when Barack had just returned to Chicago from Harvard; he was much talked about even before he began teaching at the University of Chicago, because a high-powered Harvard graduate did not often choose to return to community organizing, rather than working for a white-shoe firm like Sidley. In contrast, Michelle Obama makes clear in this book she’s the organized, path-following one, who shows up on time, unlike her husband, which is probably why law firm life suited her better.

These initial years with Barack form the second third of the book (“Becoming Us”); one can tell that Obama struggled with her husband’s political ambition, because being a political spouse always imposes tremendous costs on the one not running for office (and she is explicit she has no interest in herself running for office). In fact, she talks at some length about the couples’ counseling they had to go through as a result, though it seems to have worked out for them! All of this is quite interesting, and much more readable than the massive biography of Barack that David Garrow wrote two years ago, “Rising Star,” which defeated my repeated attempts to read it, by having far too much irrelevant detail. Michelle Obama does not make that mistake here, for which the reader, or at least this reader, is grateful.

Obama closes the last third of the book with what was probably the hardest part to write, “Becoming More.” She talks about the stress, but also the opportunity to offer her vision, that being in the spotlight meant, and she criticizes Barack’s successor in office in no uncertain, but in measured, terms. At the end, she remains optimistic, but one gets a little of the feeling that she isn’t certain her optimism is warranted.

I have a lot of sympathy for Michelle Obama. Every person in power, whether that power is direct or indirect, is always ultimately frustrated, but it must gall her to see the contrast between her husband and Donald Trump. I think that she picked the right path of not making that the focus of the book, though. She’s a grounded pragmatist at heart, or at least so it seems from this book. And we could all use a lot more grounded pragmatism, so her contribution to public discourse with this book is (unlike many political autobiographies) both illuminating and valuable.


Tags : Becoming [Michelle Obama] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States</b>   In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment,Michelle Obama,Becoming,Crown Publishing Group,1524763136,African American lawyers;Biography.,African American women,African American women lawyers - Illinois - Chicago,African American women lawyers;Biography.,Autobiographies,Legislators' spouses - United States,Obama, Michelle,Presidents' spouses - United States,Presidents' spouses;United States;Biography.,Nonfiction,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Cultural, Ethnic & Regional African American & Black,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Personal Memoirs,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Women,BLACKS IN THE U.S.,Biography,Biography & AutobiographyCultural, Ethnic & Regional - African American & Black,Biography & AutobiographyWomen,BiographyAutobiography,GENERAL,General Adult,Non-Fiction,Personal Memoir,United States,WOMEN AND POLITICS,WOMEN IN THE U.S.,books best sellers;michelle obama becoming book;becoming michelle obama;michele obama book;michelle obama memoir 2018;strong woman gifts;feminist gifts;strong women;memoir books;gift books;best friend gifts;gifts for dad;gifts for mom;gifts for women;gifts for men;political books;political gifts;black women autobiography;memoirs;obama;obama book;biography;Barack Obama;presidential memoirs;becoming book;barack obama book;Michelle Obama memoir;Michelle Obama book;books;book;kindle books;kindle,presidential memoirs; becoming book; barack obama book; Michelle Obama memoir; Michelle Obama book; biography; Barack Obama; obama book; political books; political gifts; black women autobiography; memoirs; obama; becoming michelle obama; michele obama book; michelle obama memoir 2018; strong woman gifts; feminist gifts; strong women; memoir books; gift books; best friend gifts; gifts for dad; gifts for mom; gifts for women; gifts for men; books; book; books best sellers; michelle obama becoming book; kindle books; kindle,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Cultural, Ethnic & Regional African American & Black,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Personal Memoirs,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Women,Biography & AutobiographyCultural, Ethnic & Regional - African American & Black,Biography & AutobiographyWomen

Becoming Michelle Obama 9781524763138 Books Reviews

Slow and boring and self boasting.
I read a lot of negative reviews, but I don’t understand why. I enjoyed reading her story from her perspective. Some parts made me sad; however, I’ll always view Michelle Obama as a role model.
A window into her life so far, Michelle Obama gives us endearing, insightful, honest memories. From growing up in a working class household in Chicago, to leaving the White House residence, her story is unique and thought provoking. If you admire and respect the Obamas, you will like this book.
Except for the early chapters, this is one of the best memoirs by a political leader that I have read.

When it comes to first ladies, I’ve liked and respected them all. My favorite was Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush. Michele Obama, though, ranks quite highly.

This work by Michelle is a definite eye opener into her life. The opening chapters show her youth, in which she grudgingly accompanied her father during his rounds in his groundwork fixing the fixable issues for the Democratic Party constituents of his boss, an alderman in Chicago.

Honestly, this early part of her life could have been trimmed. Still, my understanding of the plight of black Americans in history did benefit.

Despite the media’s fixation on everything Donald Trump, Michelle only mentions his name on nine separate pages. And, aside from her fear for her girls, she states nothing extraordinary about the man. I suppose it is significant that the only excerpts we have been provided by the news media is her statement that she will never forgive him for endangering her family in regards to the birther movement. In other words, for people looking for dirt, gossip, or controversy, this memoir is likely to go down as one of the least noted autobiographies in modern times.

I wish, though, that the First Lady had mentioned more of Malala Yousafzai and her courageous fight for women and girls and education.

BLUSH FACTOR No worries here. Mrs Obama has set a refreshing standard, if you will, for politely apprising us of their political life without profanities.

BOTTOM LINE

Four stars out of five.

I am striving to produce reviews that help you find books that you want, or avoid books that you wish to avoid. With your help, my improvement will help you and me improve book reviews on . Together, you and I can build a great customer review process that helps everybody. Will you join me? It is people such as you who have helped me improve over the years. I'm still learning, and I have a great deal yet to learn. With your help, I'll improve every day.

One request Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you.

Thank you so much for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment. for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment.
Michelle Obama is my voice, a voice that may never be heard with thoughts, feelings and experiences similar to mine yet they don’t matter until now. Thank you Mrs. Obama! For being the voice of this African American woman❤️ Everyone should buy this book!
I believe I always loved Michelle Obama. Her grace and dignity always seemed to come as a gift from above. Her spirit is so incredibly deep and strong. The stories from her childhood, her brother, her neighborhood, her family, inform us in a brilliant voice about what it was like in the place and time she grew up.

Michelle Obama has the empathy and the depth of character so missing in her media portrayal. I always felt worried that we were suffocating her. But there is a Michelle Obama who is bigger than the words on a page. She knows our pains, and she understands our lives. And we know her in this book. In this most private book, we know her in a way we could not have otherwise. Interesting that nothing here surprises me, it only affirms what I felt like I know Michelle Obama is a person like us. She worked and suffered and overcame.

Her storytelling skills are exquisite. It left me a little breathless to hear her voice, unfettered and real.

I love the photographs.
dislike
I eagerly anticipated this book for two reasons that don’t fit well together. First, although I do not know the Obamas, I have several friends who are close personal friends of both Michelle and Barack (this results from my attending law school while Barack was teaching, and living in Chicago for some years thereafter). Second, I am not particularly a fan of their politics, although I obviously have nothing against them personally. Thus, I think I can offer an objective view of this book—and I found it both moving and worthwhile.

What comes across most in this book is Michelle Obama’s lack of self-pity combined with clarity of vision. I suspect this was a difficult book to write—she knew that whatever she wrote, somebody, and maybe a lot of people, would criticize her for it. She therefore focuses quite a bit on what might be called practical insight and empowerment, rather than on settling political scores. That’s probably a wise choice—after all, her husband’s terms as President showed that very few people were interested in political settlements or compromise.

The first third of the book covers her childhood (“Becoming Me”). Contrary to the stereotype of Democrats as the party of the elite, Obama’s childhood, at least, was working class. She grew up in the lower middle class South Shore neighborhood of Chicago; her father was a boiler operator. Obama grew up in a stable household where her parents made their high expectations clear, though family life had its challenges, especially her father’s falling ill with multiple sclerosis. Still, she managed to go to Princeton, then Harvard Law, and then to work at the ultra-prestigious Chicago law firm of Sidley & Austin, where she met Barack (and where my wife worked, a few years after that time). I started law school in 1991, when Barack had just returned to Chicago from Harvard; he was much talked about even before he began teaching at the University of Chicago, because a high-powered Harvard graduate did not often choose to return to community organizing, rather than working for a white-shoe firm like Sidley. In contrast, Michelle Obama makes clear in this book she’s the organized, path-following one, who shows up on time, unlike her husband, which is probably why law firm life suited her better.

These initial years with Barack form the second third of the book (“Becoming Us”); one can tell that Obama struggled with her husband’s political ambition, because being a political spouse always imposes tremendous costs on the one not running for office (and she is explicit she has no interest in herself running for office). In fact, she talks at some length about the couples’ counseling they had to go through as a result, though it seems to have worked out for them! All of this is quite interesting, and much more readable than the massive biography of Barack that David Garrow wrote two years ago, “Rising Star,” which defeated my repeated attempts to read it, by having far too much irrelevant detail. Michelle Obama does not make that mistake here, for which the reader, or at least this reader, is grateful.

Obama closes the last third of the book with what was probably the hardest part to write, “Becoming More.” She talks about the stress, but also the opportunity to offer her vision, that being in the spotlight meant, and she criticizes Barack’s successor in office in no uncertain, but in measured, terms. At the end, she remains optimistic, but one gets a little of the feeling that she isn’t certain her optimism is warranted.

I have a lot of sympathy for Michelle Obama. Every person in power, whether that power is direct or indirect, is always ultimately frustrated, but it must gall her to see the contrast between her husband and Donald Trump. I think that she picked the right path of not making that the focus of the book, though. She’s a grounded pragmatist at heart, or at least so it seems from this book. And we could all use a lot more grounded pragmatism, so her contribution to public discourse with this book is (unlike many political autobiographies) both illuminating and valuable.