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Feb 11, 2012

Mary rated it:

When Kantor was signing my copy of this book during an appearance at the Chicago Public Library, I asked her why she was surprised by the "controversy" it caused--since it was a "warts and all" story, naturally all the media wanted to focus on were the warts. (Of course if there hadn't been any warts, she would have been criticized for that instead.) She just shrugged and said, "We live in strange times, don't we?" After reading the book, I think the idea that she p More...

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Feb 10, 2012

Michele rated it:

The Obamas attempts to provide an emotional history of the Obama marriage. Jodi Kantor talks about their lives and their innermost thoughts as if she had been there, but in the tradition of such books, doesn't directly attribute her information to specific people. Michelle, she says, doesn't believe in government very much. She refused to participate in many political events, and refused to have her time frittered away to no real purpose by the disorganized West Wing. She insisted on having a f More...

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Jan 30, 2012

Louise rated it:

There was so much information about this book, I was reluctant to read it. That would have been a mistake.

The Obamas does an excellent job of explaining the conflicts between the personal and political, being black instead of white, wanting to be private within a public view,and melding unique personalities amongst value-laden societal judgments.

One theme is The Obamas growing understanding of perception and images. The book shows how the Administration in general and Miche More...

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Jan 27, 2012

BIPL rated it:

Although I don’t usually read political books, I was intrigued when I heard about Jodi Kantor’s book, The Obamas. It promised to provide insight into the first couple’s powerful partnership and talk about how these two equally successful and driven people make their marriage work while living in the spotlight.

The main theme of this book is how the Obamas changed when they moved to Washington. We explore Michelle Obama’s struggle to be a modern first lady with a purpose and her confl More...

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Feb 23, 2012

Lim rated it:

The narrative spun by Kantor is delicious, anchored by the brilliant question of how the dynamics between Barack and Michelle Obama would shape the force and character of US policies. Inverting the typical storyline of how presidency affects the First Couple, in this case, the possibility that the private can influence the public, reveals an optimism about the Obama presidency that is nonetheless realistic and replete with the failures and disorganization of Obama's management of the White House More...

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Feb 15, 2012

Adrienna is currently reading it

Saw an article on this from Black America and wanted to review this material. Listening to Introduction on audio, what caught my full attention, is "Michelle Obama doesn't believe that politics will solve real problems" and "Barack Obama does have an astonishing faith that he can solve these real problems." (CD 1).

The author wants to tap into Michelle's viewpoints, views on political figures in the White House, and her real thoughts on being First Lady, as the Pre More...

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Jan 19, 2012

Lindsey rated it:

I won this book as part of a First Reads giveaway.

I really wanted to read this book due to seeing it frequently in the news when it first came out. Although I would say that the author's writing style was not of the highest quality, I truly felt like her writing brought me into the White House and allowed me to get up close and personal with the Obama family. Although I am not the biggest Obama fan, I really was interested in understanding what goes through the mind of this president a More...

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Feb 15, 2012

Jaclyn rated it:

I admit that I’m struggling to write this review. I’ll nit-pick in a moment, but for now I’ll simply say that this book was like the ultimate Dessert Book. It was voyeuristic and fun—the book equivalent of picking up US Weekly or InTouch. There was mention of how Michelle Obama’s wardrobe has played into public perception, there was a section on their disastrous New York City date night, there were little political asides and well-written summaries of the President’s challenges and victories ove More...

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Feb 16, 2012

Virginia rated it:

This is a tasteful look at the first family's attempt to maintain their sense of normalcy while living in the least normal place in the world. It also shows how they arrived at difficult decisions, such as Obama's conscience pushing him to fight for Health Care so that 42 million Americans wouldn't have to live without it. Having lived in France, which ranks #1 in health care in the world, but also has the best dressed women thanks to Dior and Chanel (hardly a socialist country), I am relieved More...

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Feb 04, 2012

Agnes rated it:

If the Obamas are annoyed with this author, they should be. Kantor pieces together stories we have heard already from news writers and commentators; along the way she adds what she assumes are Michelle Obama's thoughts and feelings about her public and personal life, claiming the basis for this information are interviews she held with Mrs. Obama's friends and those working in the White House. Don't waste your time with this book. You will learn nothing about the First Lady or the President that More...

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Jan 27, 2012

Tamara rated it:

I guess if you know absolutely nothing about the Obamas, you could find this very interesting. But I feel the book is pretty shallow. I wanted to know more about their personal struggles, individually and as a couple, during their crazy-fast rise to the White House. But really, how much more could you get from one interview with your subjects and then interviews with others? And it would have been nice to have the resolution of the 2012 election included. As it is, I felt like I was left hanging More...

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Jan 21, 2012

Vivian rated it:

Enjoyed reading this book although it's a bit more gossipy and vanity fair-like than my expectations. And I don't understand why others (including the WH) came off thinking that Mrs Obama was illustrated as an "angry black woman" in this book. That was not my impression at all from reading this book. To me, she came across as a strong and sensible woman who loved her husband, and helped keep him grounded amidst all the political posturing and personal dramas in DC.

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Feb 12, 2012

Nancy rated it:

It is a very engaging book although at times it does feel as though it is trying too hard to be sensational and popular. Jodi Kantor is a very talented writer who makes objective observations about what the Obama's might be thinking regarding their scepticism regarding politics and the life that they have found themselves to be living. It is very entertaining however it also an air of untruth about it that makes the book that more delicious.

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Feb 13, 2012

Kath rated it:

I'm less than halfway through, and given the 'I love YOU' spin the author has for the Obamas, I cannot imagine why Michelle Obama got on TV to object to this book.

Finished the book. Sorry I spent money on it. The only thing interesting in this book is putting a stop watch on how fast the author spins from revealing a slightly uncomplimentary fact about either of the Obamas to blaming it all on someone else/the Tea Party/Republicans/conservatives/racists/anyone at all. Take your dram More...

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Feb 13, 2012

Shawn rated it:

The hype surrounding this book - and the many interviews Ms. Kantor did as the book was released - were probably as informative and interesting as the book itself. This is not a hatchet job - I felt more respect for Barack Obama's ideas and ideals by the end of the book (and less respect for his management and adminstrative styles, which seem overly cerebral and distant). The kinds of "secrets" revealed were pretty mild, I think; we're certainly not in Clinton territory here.

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Jan 30, 2012

Crystal rated it:

I found that the author was very fair, direct, and even-handed. This was not a "fan" book, nor was it laced with the invective of some of the super rightwingers. The author was straightforward and thorough and spoke of both successes and failures, emotions and policy decisions, family and politics inside the White House. I found it very interesting and I enjoyed it.

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Jan 26, 2012

Amy rated it:

This was such a fun read! I liked the book more for it's insight into the Obama's relationship and the stories about Michelle Obama as a person. The author tends to be really critical of the Obama administration and throws some aggressive political rhetoric in when none is needed, but overall I really liked it.In a word; charming.

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Jan 28, 2012

Bradley rated it:

I've heard a lot about this book over the last few weeks. Most of the press has focused on how the book portrays the first lady in a negative light. I felt that it portrayed Michelle Obama has a strong, independent woman who didn't take shit from the West Wing. After reading this, I feel for the Obamas. I wouldn't want to live in the White House.

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Jan 31, 2012

Dan rated it:

Even if it's mostly speculation, it's great to look at the Obamas as people, imagine what it must feel like to live the life they're living and hear details of the challenges and perks. And get some insight into some of the most important relationships in their lives, like close friends and advisors.

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Feb 18, 2012

Alissa rated it:

I heard Jodi Kantor speak a week after the book released. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a "gossipy" collection of odds and ends strung together for the sake of publishing a book on the presidential first family.

The book is a really interesting look into The Obamas lives - private people becoming the president and first lady. Kantor writes chronologically from the inauguration and you get a whole slew of new insider perspectives on that many significant happenings (hea More...

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Feb 15, 2012

Dana rated it:

This was a good look into the Obama White House. I am not sure why there was such a media furor over it. This was an honest portrayal of the President and First Lady, good and bad. It showed them as people, just like we all are, with good days and bad days. I enjoyed the book.

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Jan 31, 2012

Raimo rated it:

This is a highly readable and involving chronology of the Obamas dealing with the daunting responsibilities of being the "first family". The book reads as being well-balanced. It is neither puff piece nor scathing diatribe. I liked Michelle well before reading this book and I now love that woman!

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Jan 21, 2012

Robert rated it:

I thought the book was written with an objective point of view. Though it does not seem the author had direct interviews with main subjects of this book, she seemed to be fair in her writings. Basically, if you are a fan of the administration you will find the book satisfying.....

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Jan 16, 2012

Bruce rated it:

really an interesting look at the Obamas. I'm a republican, and there are some things about our president that I find a bit unsavory, in regards to his political adjendas, but this book was a decent read. I recomend it.

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Jan 31, 2012

Jean rated it:

Read somewhat like a People magazine article though parts of it reminded me of a New Yorker artcile..I enjoyed it for the glimpse inside the life of The Obamas and their life in the White House.

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Feb 03, 2012

Archana rated it:

Definitely a FUN read - lots of entertaining details about what it's like to live in the White House, especially with young kids. But, it leaves a bit to be desired in terms of new information about the Obamas' marriage. I also found it curious that Michelle Obama objected to her depiction since in my mind she came across as the most relatable and positive person in the book.

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Feb 06, 2012

Virginia Singleton rated it:

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Now that I've read the book, I have a deeper appreciation of President Obama and the First Lady.

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Feb 18, 2012

susan k rated it:

Disappointed. I don't buy the way she strung events and interviews together and connected the dots about Michelle's feelings, parenting and relationship! Really?? SHE knows what they feel? ? And she makes a big deal about how, sadly, the Obama girls can't trick or treat like other kids. Barack can't go snorkeling without an entourage... Tragic! I did come away with more respect than ever for the Obamas and their accomplishments especially in light of media scrutiny, the impulse to cherry pick More...

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Feb 05, 2012

Albert rated it:

Fascinating look at the personal nature of the lives of the Obama family. And like him or hate him, you've got to wonder how you'd fare in his role.

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Jan 23, 2012

Anna rated it:

David Remnick sums it up best:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/bo...

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