I have read his previous books (“Dreams from My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope”) and enjoyed them both. The first is an autobiography of his early life and the second is more of a policy document. In the case of “A Promised Land”, it falls somewhere in between. It covers his life from his rise in Illinois politics, through to his time in the US Senate and finishes with his early years as US President up to the time of the killing of Osama bin Laden.
The book is both long in terms of the number of pages (greater than seven hundred) as well as long on details. However, Obama is such a great wordsmith that to read the book is a pleasure. It simply glides along. I was disappointed to reach the end. I certainly look forward to the second volume.
As one reads “A Promised Land”, it is impossible not to be drawn into a comparison between Obama and the incumbent US President. Obama is erudite, contemplative and wise. It is simply impossible to attribute any of these characteristics to the man presently in the Oval Office.
In sum, for any reader with even the slightest interest in US politics, history or society, this book is most highly recommended.

A Promised Land
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– Unabridged
Barack Obama
(Author, Narrator),
Penguin Audio
(Publisher)
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©2020 Barack Obama (P)2020 Penguin Audio
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Product details
Listening Length | 29 hours and 10 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Barack Obama |
Narrator | Barack Obama |
Whispersync for Voice | Ready |
Audible.com.au Release Date | 17 November 2020 |
Publisher | Penguin Audio |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B08JCV95VB |
Best Sellers Rank |
9 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
1 in Japanese Leaders & Leadership 1 in United States History (Audible Books & Originals) 1 in 21st Century U.S. History |
Customer reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
81,951 global ratings
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Top reviews from Australia
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Reviewed in Australia on 8 December 2020
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5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 9 December 2020
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This is a very personal account of Barack Obama's journey to the presidency and his first term as president. It is very well written and therefore very readable. There are several remarkable issues that are highlighted(1) His work ethic, during his accession to the Illinois State Legislature, his success in being elected to the US Senate and then his success at being elected President. This work ethic continued throughout his Presidency. (2) His personal input to the various issues that emerged (3) his loyalty to his well selected staff (4) The Republican Party's horror that a black family was occupying the White House. This has led to Republican Senators blocking all of Obama's initiatives regardless of their merit and regardless of whether the initiative is in America's National interest or not.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 10 December 2020
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I’ve waited a long time for the man with the most amazing smile in the world; who speaks from the heart and who, against all odds, became the President of America - to write this book.
He didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t put it down!
All I can is buy the book. I’m certain you won’t be able to put I’d down either!!
He didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t put it down!
All I can is buy the book. I’m certain you won’t be able to put I’d down either!!
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 14 January 2021
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In this is tremendous memoir, you can hear Obama's voice with every word. The first 200 or so pages begin with Obama writing about his life prior to his being elected president. This is introduction is particularly entertaining. In writing about his time as President, he places himself and the decisions he makes in a broad historical context, often summarising histories (the GFC, Israel/Palestine conflict ect.) for example. This is helpful as there's no assumption about the reader's prior knowledge of such histories, which lead up to Obama writing about his own place in these histories. Obama is matter of fact when necessary; his prose is imbued with the warmth, sensitivity, occasional humor and urgency. The final chapter left me breathless (I won't give it away here), and absolutely left me hanging for the next instalment. I very much admired Obama prior to reading this book; I finished it with a far deeper admiration and understanding of his legacy.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 22 November 2020
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Obama is just an effortless communicator, whether writing or speaking, he is just fantastic to listen to and read. Thoroughly enjoyed this purchase and made all the better by a prompt service from Amazon.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 14 January 2021
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I am an absolute die hard fan of the obamas and everything they represent but so far the book is not capturing me and is almost to the point of too descriptive and wordy. ( Im 130 pages in) I hope it gets better.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 16 January 2021
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What a wonderful and normal guy Obama is. He truly seemed to take on the US President role in his stride and without any dramatic scenes to prove his point. He really cares about his country and its people; and then there is Michelle.....
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in Australia on 22 November 2020
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Amazing read...Enjoying the candid story telling covering an honest account of background scenery that happened at the highest level. Still long way to go in finishing this book, but I know it will get more interesting from where I got to in last 2 days of getting my hands on this much awaited book.
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Top reviews from other countries

James M.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Boring!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on 24 November 2020Verified Purchase
Boring!!!!!!!!
3,772 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on 28 November 2020Verified Purchase
Very disappointed, this was a I love myself and anyone who doesn’t love me is wrong story.
3,757 people found this helpful
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Pebbles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely a great read! Refreshing! :-)
Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2020Verified Purchase
If you would like to see and read an educated person speak his truth and hide nothing in the process, this is the book to purchase. It is refreshing to read something a book from a Great President of this time. With all the drama and racism his' family had to deal with in the WH, shows how mature they truly are. He still managed to be a kind spirit to anyone and everyone he has met, so far. Compared to the people who have turned it into a Fun House, full of clowns. This book is very enlightening to his' life and to his' journey. So, thank you Mr. President for all of you and Ms. First Lady hard work! Keep up the good work, Mr. Obama. God bless you and your lovely family!
2,918 people found this helpful
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jill
1.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah Right
Reviewed in the United States on 26 November 2020Verified Purchase
I believe you may have mis-labeled this as non-fiction.
3,109 people found this helpful
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Rick & Zen
1.0 out of 5 stars
Promise without Land, for Land without Promise
Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2020Verified Purchase
Promise without Land, for Land without Promise.
3,315 people found this helpful
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