Obama: The Call of History

This book has been quite a surprise. I must admit that I was expecting the usual Peter Baker book, which would be interesting, provocative, extremely perceptive, and like many of the other Peter Baker books I have read, a bit of a slog in places. But this book -- what a change of course. It is extremely well-written and contains a lot of information of which I was unaware (I must admit that since I received the book yesterday, I am still only about halfway through it). The big surprise though is that the book itself is outsize, almost a coffee table book, and the photos, which are everywhere, are gorgeous. I also like the statistical summaries in the back. In view of the fact that most academic publications for college students these days start off at $50, and often are not at all worth the price, this book would be a great addition for any college American History course, or perhaps an AP course. It is a bit hagiographic in places, but in view of Obama's successor, I suppose we can all be forgiven if we look back on the Obama era with a bit of nostalgia.

I just received my copy and it's absolutely beautiful- far more than I expected or hoped for. That being said, please understand what you are buying. I think it's somewhat fair to call it a "coffee table" book but simply because of it's size and the number of beautiful photographs. But it also has the very talented Peter Baker's writing so it's also far more than a "picture" book. But remember who Baker is (or was)-the White House Correspondent for the NY Times during the entire 8 years of the Obama presidency. The blurb says, in part, "In this vivid and in-depth illustrated account of Barack Obama's years in office, Baker chronicles a period of hope, tumult, accomplishment and, yes, failure." Baker is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist so he is able to write with some degree of journalistic "detachment," BUT he would not have written this book if he did not greatly admire Barack Obama. This book is NOT a thorough and deep analytic view of a man and a presidency a la Doris Kearns Goodwin. I think it's too soon for anything Goodwin (and others as talented as she is) to tackle. This is a stunningly beautiful tribute to a man who served our country for 8 years as our President. In my mind, Barack Hussein Obama was the best president in my 59 years on this earth and I am just so very happy to have this beautiful tome in my library. If your view of Barack Obama is decidedly negative, that's fine. Bill O'Reilly and others have books that you can read so please do not introduce any political discussion into my review.

This book is by far the most definitive and comprehensive book of the Presidency of Barack H Obama! I must admit that I also purchased "A Charge To Keep" by President George W Bush. This is much better. It is extremely in-depth with the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book begins just after his election and defeat of John McCain. I presume, that many Americans including myself, have forgotten how bad those economic times were - Auto Industry bailout, and the Banking Industry bailout. Plus the Deep Water Horizon tragedy. This book really does cover it all to include the contentious relationship with the Republicans, the dispatching of Osama Bin Laden, and most importantly his own dedication to his family.This book is huge. But given that 8 plus years is covered of what I can best describe as a roller coaster ride, it may actually be too small. The photography is excellent. The book is well written and easy to follow.After reading the book, I'm left with the basic realizations that he didn't have it easy, some things he brought on himself, his political opposition was vindictive and petty, he was overly optimistic or he was just way too positive and hopeful. To follow that hopeful optimism, if you were to use this book as a scholastic text, you would learn that his first eight years were preparation for an even better next eight years!!!

The text is both interesting and informative. It is not the kind of reading that you zip through, but that you pause often to think about. Not your typical coffee table book, although the pictures are worth leaving your book out for visitors to look through as they are excellent. How I long for the days of this urbane president who showed such grace under fire.

A treasure to keep to remember a good, sometimes great, honest and adult presidency. Especially as we see his replacement.

Beautiful write ups of Barack Obama /family & the Presidency of 2008 & 2012 ; also included the beautifulFamily of President Obama. The photos through outThe book are well captured of numerous people thattouched the lives of President Obama & his family.Many people whom I inow personally would love toSee President Obama once again be able to b/c President . He is one classy intelligent man.

This book is huge, heavy and packed with history. Peter Baker is a highly respected write. I will not opine on content and this is not the place.

Wonderful book. He is such a wonderful man. Brilliant and good writer.

Fabulously put together! I feel proud to have this wonderful book!

Wer Geschichte liebt und sich ihrer Wichtigkeit bewusst ist, wird dieses Buch ebenfalls lieben - es ist ein Meilenstein auf dem Weg zum Verständnis von Weltgeschichte und Politik und zudem noch absolut überwältigend aufgemacht und interessant geschrieben. Sicherlich keine "Lektüre" für's Bett.... ;) aber dieses schwere und hochwertige Buch kann man über Wochen immer wieder neu studieren und findet eine hervorragende Führung durch acht Jahre Obama Regierung und Weltgeschichte, über die man einfach informiert sein sollte.Sehr eindrückliche Bilder - beeindruckende Schilderungen … mich überzeugt der journalistische Stil des preisgekrönten Peter Baker. Ein Buch, was ich nicht mehr missen werde - und was auch meine Töchter (im erwachsenen Alter) ausgesprochen interessant finden.Ganzseitige Bilder, gutes Papier und eine gute Lesbarkeit machen Spaß bei diesem geschichtsträchtigen Werk.

Fantastic coffee table book! The pages are getting pretty thumbed by visiting house guests though!!

Bought for my brother for Christmas and he loves it.

Thanks