http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781400082773-10 - the first memoir/biography from the Presidential hopeful recounts his struggles coming to terms with his bi-racial identity. As the child of a white mother and a Kenyan father who he only meets once in his life, Obama spends his early life listening to stories of his father's legacy. The first part recounts Obama's childhood in Indonesia and Hawaii - as just one of a handful of black kids. After college, Obama moves to Chicago to help organize the African-American communities. Finally, following his father's death in a car accident, Obama travels to Kenya to meet his family, and discover more of the truth behind where he comes from. This is a beautifully written book - filled with amazing stories - not just about Obama, but about his family and the people he worked with. For people interested in learning about Obama's political beliefs or plans, this is not the right book to read. But, to learn about who Obama is and to understand the lens through which he views the world, this is the one. I also think for anyone who is bi-racial, who has never known a parent, or who attempts in one way or another to fit simultaneously into a variety of communities, this is a fair portrayal of that constant struggle.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781400082773-10 - the first memoir/biography from the Presidential hopeful recounts his struggles coming to terms with his bi-racial identity. As the child of a white mother and a Kenyan father who he only meets once in his life, Obama spends his early life listening to stories of his father's legacy. The first part recounts Obama's childhood in Indonesia and Hawaii - as just one of a handful of black kids. After college, Obama moves to Chicago to help organize the African-American communities. Finally, following his father's death in a car accident, Obama travels to Kenya to meet his family, and discover more of the truth behind where he comes from. This is a beautifully written book - filled with amazing stories - not just about Obama, but about his family and the people he worked with. For people interested in learning about Obama's political beliefs or plans, this is not the right book to read. But, to learn about who Obama is and to understand the lens through which he views the world, this is the one. I also think for anyone who is bi-racial, who has never known a parent, or who attempts in one way or another to fit simultaneously into a variety of communities, this is a fair portrayal of that constant struggle.
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This was a book club book a few years ago and I just could not get into it. Since I didn't own the book, I was borrowing it, I actually gave up quite early.
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