Barack Obama: An American Story [Paperback]

Bob Carlton (Author), Ariele Gentiles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2008

You've read about historical U.S. figures in school textbooks. Maybe you've even seen a mini-series or movie about some of the leaders of America's past. But right now you're living in the midst of history in the making. You are watching a man with an unlikely story become one of the most important people in American politics today. It doesn't matter whether you've heard him speak, or even whether or not you agree with his politics. The life of Barack Obama is an inspirational story for anyone who has ever felt abandoned, alone, different, or who has wanted to do great things and make a difference in the world. Learn about the life-shaping experiences Barack Obama faced as he: * was raised by a single mom and his grandparents * rose to the top of his class at Harvard law * accepted a faith that gives his life deeper meaning * left a lucrative career in law to work in public service In 1967 Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out about the state of our country and its leadership, saying, 'We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.' Barack Obama was only six-years-old when that speech took place, and forty years later he stood in the place where Abraham Lincoln once stood, and announced he was running for President because of what Dr. King called the 'fierce urgency of now.' He recognized a country once again in turmoil and a nation looking for something different---something better. As you read about the life of Barack Obama you'll be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to look at the world around you and see how you can take your own improbable journey to change it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You've read about historical U.S. figures in school textbooks. Maybe you've even seen a mini-series or movie about some of the leaders of America's past. But right now you're living in the midst of history in the making. You are watching a man with an unlikely story become one of the most important people in American politics today.

It doesn't matter whether you've heard him speak, or even whether or not you agree with his politics. The life of Barack Obama is an inspirational story for anyone who has ever felt abandoned, alone, different, or who has wanted to do great things and make a difference in the world. Learn about the life-shaping experiences Barack Obama faced as he:
* was raised by a single mom and his grandparents
* rose to the top of his class at Harvard law
* accepted a faith that gives his life deeper meaning
* left a lucrative career in law to work in public service

In 1967 Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out about the state of our country and its leadership, saying, 'We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.' Barack Obama was only six-years-old when that speech took place, and forty years later he stood in the place where Abraham Lincoln once stood, and announced he was running for President because of what Dr. King called the 'fierce urgency of now.' He recognized a country once again in turmoil and a nation looking for something different---something better.

As you read about the life of Barack Obama you'll be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to look at the world around you and see how you can take your own improbable journey to change it. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Bob Carlton is an encourager, connector, conversationalist, blogger, and friend. He is part of Journey Imperfect Faith Community in Austin, Texas - an open, inclusive community of people helping one another follow Jesus as best they can. For more than 20 years, Bob has worked with tech start-ups, publishers, churches, and non-profits as they grapple with change and growth. Bob has spent the last several years working in the intersection of faith and online communities. Bob and his wife Lisa have two daughters, Mary and Katie.

Ariele Gentiles is a writer currently working as an editor of poetry for the Burnside Writers Collective. Some of her work can be found on the Burnside Writers Collective website, and in The Ankeny Briefcase. A native Texan currently residing in Portland, Oregon, she is soon returning to the Heartland to live and work in Austin.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties (November 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310670039
• ISBN-13: 978-0310670032
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,037,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ariele Gentiles is a writer currently working as an editor of poetry for the Burnside Writers Collective. Some of her work can be found on the Burnside Writers Collective website, and in The Ankeny Briefcase. A native Texan currently residing in Portland, Oregon, she is soon returning to the Heartland to live and work in Austin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for generating discussion with students, November 13, 2008

By 

Ginny (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barack Obama: An American Story (Paperback)

Few people are ambivalent when it comes to Mr. Obama and this includes adolescents. For those who want to learn more about his background, this book does an excellent job of surveying those factors and forces that have helped form him. No matter what an adolescent or youth worker's political persuasion is, he or she will find the book helpful in creating rich discussions on numerous topics dealing with politics, family and faith.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to Obama's pre-election years for high school students and undergraduates..., July 31, 2010

By 

R. Neil Scott "Writer, Professor & User Servi... (Murfreesboro, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama: An American Story (Paperback)

While the publisher -- Zondervan -- is seen as a leading publisher of Christian literature and theology, I was pleased to note that the authors took a fair and even-handed young-adult approach to covering Obama's life and career. Tying Obama to the rhetoric of Martin Luther King's call to the "fierce urgency of now," and his electorial success to the "unprecedented level of involvement among young people," they contend that "Obama's story is one that is profoundly rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ" and his involvement in the African-American church.

The first half of the book serves as a recounting of Obama's humble childhood. The autthors write about his parents' divorce, how he learned "the Midwest virtues of hard work and service to one's country" from his grandparents in Hawaii, the confusion he probably felt from being treated as an African-American at school and as a white child at home, and having to grow up without a father (his real father died in an automobile accident in Kenya). In the second half ot the book, we follow his decision to go to Occidental College in California, his transfer to Columbia University and -- after graduation -- his career as a community organizer in New York City and (at 24) in Chicago's South Side. Then, on to the Illinois State Legislature, the U.S. Senate and then to running for President.

This is a fairly thin paperback book -- only 134 pages -- with good-sized print. The vocabulary is straightforward at a junior-to-high-school level, and follows a journalistic style. I agree with another, previous reviewer that it's not an exciting book. But, it's fair, and indepth enough that the reader will know a lot more about Obama's life than when she/he began.

Because he is now in office and the book finishes as he is elected, some will believe that the book is now too dated to buy. I disagree, as I highly recommend it for middle school, high school and for the young adult sections of public libraries as well as for those families who are home-schooling or for Christian school librarians and teachers.

R. Neil Scott, MLS/MBA
Middle Tennessee State University

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History in the Making, November 20, 2008

By 

T. Tiede (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama: An American Story (Paperback)

I plan to share this book with the community and school libraries in my town...and with English, History, Government and Sociology teaching friends in the US and abroad. In language accessible to young people, the inspiring anecdotes in this biography often step beyond politics to focus on the unexpected journey of our new president - a journey that proves the American Dream lives on. Regardless of your personal politics, this life story should empower young people to recognize the strength that education and perseverance offer them to impact the real world, starting today.