Barack Obama for Beginners: An Essential Guide [Paperback]

Bob Neer (Author), Joe Lee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: An Essential Guide | Publication Date: July 18, 2008

Barack Obama For Beginners: An Essential Guide is the fastest and most reliable way to get up to speed on the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. It condenses the personal and political history of the first African-American nominee for his nation's highest office to provide a complete introduction to the Senator from Illinois. The text covers the candidate's family history and life experiences and beliefs, and discusses his strengths and weaknesses as a campaigner, legislator, and manager of people and resources. Entertaining illustrations enliven the reading experience and highlight important details. Barack Obama For Beginners keeps the focus on the candidate and his record — accomplishments and missteps, praise and criticism — to allow readers to draw their own conclusions. 

Visit www.BarackObamaForBeginners.com for complete source notes to the book, a timeline of events in the life of Barack Obama, updates and links to additional information.

Short enough to read in an afternoon or on commutes, For Beginners® Essential Guides provide reliable information from a neutral point of view about public figures and current events so that readers can arrive at informed opinions on topics that affect their daily lives. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thoroughly enjoyable." - PolitickerMA.com

"For anyone who wants a short, and non-partisan, look at the life of Barack Obama, this is the book. It is easy to read, and very much worth the time."
- Dead Trees Review

About the Author

Bob Neer is writing his dissertation to complete his J.D.-Ph.D. degree in U.S. History at Columbia University. He received his M. Phil. in U.S. History in 2007, and his J.D. and an M.A. in U.S. History in 1991, all from Columbia. He is a co-founder and editor of BlueMassGroup.com, the most widely read political blog in New England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: For Beginners (July 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934389382
• ISBN-13: 978-1934389386
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,136,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, non-partisan and very good, October 22, 2008

By 

Paul Lappen (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama for Beginners: An Essential Guide (Paperback)

Here is a short (and neutral) biography of one of 2008's Men Who Would be President.

Obama was born in 1961 in Hawaii to a Kenyan father who was studying economics at the University of Hawaii, and a mother who came from strict Kansas Methodist stock. Their marriage lasted only a few years. In 1967, Obama moved to Indonesia when Ann, his mother, married an oil company executive. He attended an elite primary school, and saw firsthand the huge chasm between the average Indonesian and American. Ann impressed upon him that education was the way to stay on the right side of that divide. Even though he was registered at the school as a Muslim, there is no evidence that Obama was ever a practicing Muslim.

Attending high school back in Hawaii, Obama began to realize what being a black man in America was all about. He sought answers through the writings of black intellectuals, and release through drugs. Moving to California, to attend Occidental College, Obama was not a conscientious student. After a night of partying, he had an epiphany. He transferred to Columbia University, and threw himself into his studies. After receiving his degree in 1983, he wanted to get involved in community organizing. In 1985, he drove to Chicago for a paying job as an organizer on the South Side.

After a couple of years learning "the system," Obama felt that having a law degree would be a big help. He excelled at Harvard Law, and was named to the Law Review. After graduation, he became a lecturer at the University of Chicago, and joined a small activist law firm in Chicago.

The book goes into his rising through the ranks in Chicago politics, and his election to the State Senate. Those in power knew that he was a rising star, so many important bills were sent his way. The logical next step was the US Senate, and the book ends with his primary fight against Hillary Clinton to receive the Democratic nomination for President.

This book was written with no assistance from Obama or his campaign; all information is from public sources. For anyone who wants a short, and non-partisan, look at the life of Barack Obama, this is the book. It is easy to read, and very much worth the time.