THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER | NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES THE
ECONOMIST THE GUARDIAN The riveting deeply personal account of history in the making-a
record-breaking critically-acclaimed no.1 bestseller now out in paperback 'Gorgeously
written humorous compelling life affirming' Justin Webb Mail on Sunday In the stirring
first volume of his presidential memoirs Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable
odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world describing in
strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first
term of his historic presidency-a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil. Obama takes
readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa
caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of
November 4 2008 when he was elected 44th president of the United States becoming the first
African American to hold the nation's highest office. Reflecting on the presidency he offers
a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential
power as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and
international diplomacy. A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective-the
story of one man's bet with history the faith of a community organizer tested on the world
stage. Obama is candid about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad and bearing the
expectation of a generation buoyed by messages of "hope and change" and unafraid to reveal
self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great
ongoing American experiment progress is always possible. This beautifully written and
powerful book captures Barack Obama's conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but
something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together day by day.
