Illustrates beautifully the way discordant threads of life weave together to make us the person we are. Watching genetic chords from all over the world collide and create the man that became our 44th president was fascinating. 'The Story' is an appropriate name because so many people's stories are documented along the way, from friends, colleagues, lovers, and family members 3 generations back. Maraniss does a great job comparing the story of history's witnesses to Barack's own testimonial in 'Dreams of My Father'.If you want to view how the forces of self-creation and genetic predisposition can weave together to define our lives, give this one a read. This is an exhaustive study of the family background and early life of Barack Obama. That statement tells you both the strengths and weaknesses of this book. The author has left no stone unturned in delving into the President's past dispelling many myths that his political enemies have used against him. The book also develops just why the President seems to have some of the personality traits he does including coolness and caution. The downside of the book is that the author never found a shred of information that he didn't think was important enough to put in the book. A little more self editing would have been nice. Part of the book I listened to on books on tape and the author did the reading. He seemed to take joy reading lists of difficult African and Indonesian names of people that had little to nothing to do with the Obama story. He seemed to think I found these names, I learned how to pronounce them so I will just throw them into the book. Too much trivia. One of many examples. But I still think is a well done book if you can get past this.
What do You think about Barack Obama - The Story (2000)?
His really has been an improbable life, although this book doesn't offer much new information.
—darlene
This summer I enjoyed reading the well researched book. It was a fascinating read.
—ars
