Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the US has a new President. This book was written by Obama shortly after being voted in as the editor of the Harvard Law Review. It is more or less an autobiography tracking his first 30 years.

What is so refreshing about this book is that it was entirely written before Obama entered politics. This means it is often candid, revealing and ever so personal. I’d seriously doubt that any Presidential hopeful would write a book right now talking about their cocaine use, for instance.

Much of the book deals with Obama trying to trace his (often complicated) family – most of which live in Africa. Due to his family complications, a young Obama struggles to find ‘his place’ in the world but in particular, a sense of identity as he is neither truly white nor black.

One thing I wish he covered in more detail is the relationship with his wife, Michelle – especially considering the special family dynamic from which he came.

Still, quite a good book and not politically charged by any means.