Product Description

Barack Obama's path from Hawaii to Indonesia to the White House represents one of the most unlikely and fascinating journeys in U.S. political history. With this special publication that is sure to become an instant collector's item, TIME will mark Obama's rise with an illustrated 96-page book. TIME Obama will contain original TIME magazine reporting and analysis from the magazine's political experts. The book will showcase the unrivaled, intimate behind-the-scenes photography of campaign photographer Callie Shell, who has been visually documenting Obama's journey since he began his run for President. And it will provide readers with a colorful and concise account of how Obama rose to power -- from his early days to his Chicago years to the moment when he became a political phenomenon.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #955 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 95 pages

Customer Reviews

Great gift for kids to feel part of our future!
I wrote a letter to my kids comparing the ideals I recalled from my childhood and the sad things they've seen with Bush's war and so forth, and placed the letter at the front of this book before I wrapped it for each of them. I had the most wonderful feeling that I was a part of a more responsible, more positive future and that I was sharing that with my children. The book is very nice, filled with beautiful photography, and some good information, though I wish it were a bit more complete in its covering of Obama's life.

Surprising good for a memento/ coffee table book
I bought this as a gift for a relative zealous about the Obama campaign. Reading it myself, and viewing the excellent photographs, I found it was really worth a read. I've read neither of Obama's two books, so can't compare.

This book is by Time Magazine, and the articles, interspersed with the photographs, also by Time's photographer, show Mr Obama from the beginning of his decision to run for President, to the night of the election victory.

Many of the narratives are simply articles taken from Time Magazine at the time things were occuring. They do not attempt to confuse; they have the actual date of the first publishing of the article in Time at the head of each article. Its interesting to see things with the "at the time" point of view. Most of the articles are really well written and thorough, looking fully at the incidents they are reporting.

My favorite was the section on Obama's childhood, his mother and grandparents. It has always bothered me that Mr Obama is ROUTINELY referred to as "Black" or "African-American" when he is in fact biracial, a sub-category that is increasing recognized by the young people of just such marriages as that of his parents. These young people, (one is a relative of mine) do not want to be seen as either "Black" or "White" in many cases. Obama, who grew up in multi-cultural Hawaii for most of his childhood, surely must have felt comfortable as a mixed-race person, and undoubtedly, until he reached Chicago, didn't feel he had to identify himself as entirely "Black".

In Chicago big-city politics, where the old ethnicities apply, he had to choose, and obviously chose to be "Black". Marrying an African-American Chicago-born and raised wife probably hardened the choice for him and made it permanent.

But now, as leader of the United States, he needs, in my opinion, to find himself again as a biracial or multi-cultural person, in order to lead everyone and not be perceived only as the "first Black president" etc.

The book is worth purchasing as a memento of great historical change; also worth reading. Great photographs.

It has really great stories and photography
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3GIGTWETELWFQ I'm reviewing the paperback edition, which is essentially the same except the covers look different.

Time Magazine has produced a gem of a book in this special commemorative edition on President Barack Obama's election campaign.

The stories included are ones that have been published by Time over the months. They have, however, been given a change in title. The stories look not just at the campaign itself, but also at the life of Obama. Every piece is a wonderful read, quality as one would expect from Time.

Accompanying the stories are some really great photography and photojournalism. Each photo tells so much story in itself, such at the ones with Michelle Obama playing the hoops with her children while daddy looks on, or the one where daddy Obama walks his kids to school, or even my favourite one with Obama's well worn shoe in foreground (appears on the paperback edition).

The paper stock is low gloss and exceptionally white. The text and pictures are reproduced brilliantly.

Overall, this is a piece of history well worth collecting.