Hardcover/Paperback
- Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
- The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
- Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise
- Three Wishes by Barack Obama by Barack Obama
Children/Illustration
- Yes, We Can! A Salute To Children From President Obama's Victory Speech
- Our Enduring Spirit: President Barack Obama's First Words to America (Illustrator: Greg Ruth)
- Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
AudioBook
- The Essential Barack Obama: The Grammy Award-Winning Recordings
Barack Obama has published eight books, consisting of a memoir, three original titles, three conceptual children’s book utilizing his Inauguration and campaign speeches, as well as one audio book, which contains a reading by Obama himself of his two best sellers, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father.
Obama’s first foray into the literary world came in the shape of his memoir, Dreams from My Father, a moving and compelling piece that offers readers a raw insight into Obama’s journey of self-discovery; of learning, understanding and ultimately accepting his heritage. An inspirational book to many people with a similarly mixed and colorful heritage.
His second book, Audacity of Hope, is a transformative piece that harkens back to the principles behind the founding of our nation as a means to resolve the many issues that we face today. The title of the book, as well as its genesis, lies behind Obama’s landmark speech in the Democratic National Convention in 2004. The phrase ‘audacity for hope’, which was used in the speech, became a catchphrase among the more idealistic segments of the Democratic grassroots during that period.
Change We Can Believe In, written with the help of his staffers, is basically a manifesto on Obama himself, presenting his ideas, plans, hopes and aspirations for the country based almost entirely from his campaign speeches.
His books for children meanwhile, is a simple, positive and non-partisan collection of photographs (Yes, We Can!), illustration (Our Enduring Spirit) and historical heroes (Of Thee I Sing) that offer an opportunity for the young ones to gain an understanding of their country and perhaps, be inspired in the process.
A bookworm himself, Obama’s taste and preference in reading is varied as it is numerous, and covers works such as those by Tony Morrison (Song of Solomon), Ernest Hemingway (For Whom The Bell Tolls), and Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin – an intriguing piece, as it recounted former president Abraham Lincoln’s attempt at harnessing the talents of his greatest rivals by giving them a position in his cabinet.
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