I finished this book today. It took me a little longer than I expected since I got sick last week and reading was the last thing I wanted to do. I really enjoyed reading about Obama's journey to find his ancestry. The last section was about his extended stay in Kenya where he met more relatives than you can even imagine. While most of the Kenya section was very informational and interesting to read about, some was a tad slow. But I admire him for going there, meeting a whole bunch of strangers who feel they have ownership of him, to find out the truth of his past and his father's past. Not very many people do that in life.
But what struck me most about Kenya and his family there, is, man, what they must think of him now. They were so proud of him back then, and definitely brought him down to Earth about who he was, but imagine what they think of him being president of the United States. That has to be nearly unfathomable to them, yet I bet deep down they knew he'd do big things.
I'm very glad I read this book and got to know our president better. I know not everyone feels this way, but I think it's nice that our president came from a similar background as a majority of the people in this country. Single mom, middle-class, worked his tail off to get into Harvard. He didn't get where he is today by the power of anyone but himself. So, truly, any child can look at him and know you can be anything you want to be.
1 comment:
I must admit I have paid no attention to the book on Obama as I was not a supporter in his bid for election. However, since reading you review I have decided to put it on my reading list, and perhaps try to convince my 14 yo daughter to read it also! It sounds as though it has something to teach all of us.
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