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For Beginners
Barack Obama for Beginners: An Essential Guide
Barack Obama For An Essential Guide is the fastest and most reliable way to get up to speed on the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. It condenses the personal and political history of the first African-American nominee for his nation's highest office to provide a complete introduction to the Senator from Illinois. The text covers the candidate's family history and life experiences and beliefs, and discusses his strengths and weaknesses as a campaigner, legislator, and manager of people and resources. Entertaining illustrations enliven the reading experience and highlight important details . Barack Obama For Beginners keeps the focus on the candidate and his record — accomplishments and missteps, praise and criticism — to allow readers to draw their own conclusions.
Visit www.BarackObamaForBeginners.com for complete source notes to the book, a timeline of events in the life of Barack Obama, updates and links to additional information.
Short enough to read in an afternoon or on commutes, For Beginners® Essential Guides provide reliable information from a neutral point of view about public figures and current events so that readers can arrive at informed opinions on topics that affect their daily lives.
Visit www.BarackObamaForBeginners.com for complete source notes to the book, a timeline of events in the life of Barack Obama, updates and links to additional information.
Short enough to read in an afternoon or on commutes, For Beginners® Essential Guides provide reliable information from a neutral point of view about public figures and current events so that readers can arrive at informed opinions on topics that affect their daily lives.
74 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 22, 2008
Here is a short (and neutral) biography of one of 2008’s Men Who Would be President.
Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii to a Kenyan father who was studying economics at the University of Hawaii, and a mother who came from strict Kansas Methodist stock. Their marriage lasted only a few years. In 1967, Obama moved to Indonesia when Ann, his mother, married an oil company executive. He attended an elite primary school, and saw firsthand the huge chasm between the average Indonesian and American. Ann impressed upon him that education was the way to stay on the right side of that divide. Even though he was registered at the school as a Muslim, there is no evidence that Obama was ever a practicing Muslim.
Attending high school back in Hawaii, Obama began to realize what being a black man in America was all about. He sought answers through the writings of black intellectuals, and release through drugs. Moving to California, to attend Occidental College, Obama was not a conscientious student. After a night of partying, he had an epiphany. He transferred to Columbia University, and threw himself into his studies. After receiving his degree in 1983, he wanted to get involved in community organizing. In 1985, he drove to Chicago for a paying job as an organizer on the South Side.
After a couple of years learning "the system," Obama felt that having a law degree would be a big help. He excelled at Harvard Law, and was named to the Law Review. After graduation, he became a lecturer at the University of Chicago, and joined a small activist law firm in Chicago.
The book goes into his rising through the ranks in Chicago politics, and his election to the State Senate. Those in power knew that he was a rising star, so many important bills were sent his way. The logical next step was the US Senate, and the book ends with his primary fight against Hillary Clinton to receive the Democratic nomination for President.
This book was written with no assistance from Obama or his campaign; all information is from public sources. For anyone who wants a short, and non-partisan, look at the life of Barack Obama, this is the book. It is easy to read, and very much worth the time.
Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii to a Kenyan father who was studying economics at the University of Hawaii, and a mother who came from strict Kansas Methodist stock. Their marriage lasted only a few years. In 1967, Obama moved to Indonesia when Ann, his mother, married an oil company executive. He attended an elite primary school, and saw firsthand the huge chasm between the average Indonesian and American. Ann impressed upon him that education was the way to stay on the right side of that divide. Even though he was registered at the school as a Muslim, there is no evidence that Obama was ever a practicing Muslim.
Attending high school back in Hawaii, Obama began to realize what being a black man in America was all about. He sought answers through the writings of black intellectuals, and release through drugs. Moving to California, to attend Occidental College, Obama was not a conscientious student. After a night of partying, he had an epiphany. He transferred to Columbia University, and threw himself into his studies. After receiving his degree in 1983, he wanted to get involved in community organizing. In 1985, he drove to Chicago for a paying job as an organizer on the South Side.
After a couple of years learning "the system," Obama felt that having a law degree would be a big help. He excelled at Harvard Law, and was named to the Law Review. After graduation, he became a lecturer at the University of Chicago, and joined a small activist law firm in Chicago.
The book goes into his rising through the ranks in Chicago politics, and his election to the State Senate. Those in power knew that he was a rising star, so many important bills were sent his way. The logical next step was the US Senate, and the book ends with his primary fight against Hillary Clinton to receive the Democratic nomination for President.
This book was written with no assistance from Obama or his campaign; all information is from public sources. For anyone who wants a short, and non-partisan, look at the life of Barack Obama, this is the book. It is easy to read, and very much worth the time.
December 8, 2015
A quick read for a cozy afternoon. The book condenses noteworthy facts of this legendary man from his humble beginning to his election as the 44th President of the United States. Almost half of the book is devoted to that election.
January 25, 2009
Good book for children.
March 31, 2009
A good primer, I enjoy the "for beginners" series... Even if I don't always agree with policy/politics, it is hard to resist someone with so much charisma. he's like john travolta.
January 24, 2016
A good little biography of the man and his upbringing through to presidency.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews