This is just part one

I think most people can agree Barack Obama is an excellent orator so it should come as no surprise that his writing is just as eloquent, insightful, and personal. It's also THOROUGH. There's a reason that that book is super long and there's still another volume. For every decision that he made during his presidency, he gives detailed context, counterarguments, and reflections on the results. This book is biographical in that we learn about his childhood, schooling, family, and his thoughts and feelings on what it was like campaigning and ultimately serving as President. But it's much more than that because he gives the reader an in-depth view of life in the White House as well as the inner workings (and conflicts) in government. This is the first Presidential biography that I've ever read so I have no basis of comparison but he laid out the political environment in clear-cut and understandable language that somehow didn't read like a textbook or party propaganda. Quite a feat I think.

Some of my favorite parts of this book are the same things that endeared him to me when he held the highest office in the land. His idealism, forthright manner, and ability to not take himself so seriously really shine through when he talks about his meetings with his staff, discussions with foreign officials, and struggles to push through legislation against party opposition. While I felt a bit bamboozled by this only being the first volume (at 768 pages no less!), I had a fantastic time reading this book. It is lengthy (there's no getting around that) but it moves along at a good pace which had me picking it up again and again. Now I'll just have to wait for the announcement of the release date for the second book.  

Source: Amazon

What I'm currently reading: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

**If you're interested in buying any of these books or any books really, you can click here. This will re-direct you to AbeBooks which is a site I use all of the time to find used books at an excellent price. A lot of the time I don't even pay for shipping! Full disclosure: I will receive a commission on all sales made through this link. You will not be charged anything additional for my commission. I wouldn't recommend a site that I didn't use and you are under no obligation to purchase anything. :-) **

Who runs the world?

Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World by Jennifer Palmieri is an empowering voice for women. It's written as a letter to the future female President of the United States (if you couldn't figure that out from the title). To give some background, Palmieri served as the White House Director of Communications under President Obama and then afterwards as the Director of Communications for the Clinton presidential campaign in 2016. Therefore, the reader will not be surprised that a large chunk of this book is devoted to behind the scenes of that campaign and its aftermath on herself and the country (from her point-of-view). From this standpoint alone, the book is interesting as we are seeing an event through the eyes of someone who actually experienced it from the inside. The overarching purpose of this book is to give advice and encouragement to women in any and every type of environment. Palmieri seeks to embolden women to allow for vulnerability and use the strengths that have historically been seen as weaknesses to launch yourself to the top. She emphasizes the importance of sticking up for yourself so that your voice is heard especially when yours is the only female voice in the room. (Did I mention this is quite a pro-female book? It is and I love that.) Remember: We cannot play by the same rules as men and we shouldn't have to. Personally, despite its shortness I think this is a necessary book for all peoples to read regardless of gender (but ladies ya'll should really try to seek this one out). I especially liked the book recommendations scattered throughout. :-D A solid 8/10 for me.

Source: Amazon

What's Up Next: Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me by Condoleezza Rice

What I'm Currently Reading: Star Trek Destiny #2: Mere Mortals by David Mack

**If you're interested in buying this book or any books really, you can click here or here. The first will re-direct you to AbeBooks and the second will re-direct you to The Book Depository. These are great websites for purchasing books (AbeBooks carries inexpensive used and out-of-print books and The Book Depository ships free everywhere in the world). Full disclosure: I will receive a commission on all sales made by following either of these links. I wouldn't recommend a site that I didn't use and you are under no obligation to purchase anything. :-) **