Customer Reviews

Barack Obama: The Official Inaugural Book

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Remember when the smart money had it between Hillary and Rudy? Obama's rocket ride to the stratosphere of American politics shocked an anxious, tired nation to its feet. If Americans were not 100 percent behind Obama, they were certainly paying attention on January 20th and 100 percent hopeful that true change was coming. And that attention and hope is what made this particular inauguration so singular. I could not attend and for once I really wanted to be there. Which is why I'm so surprisingly satisfied by the stunning new book, "Barack Obama: The Official Inaugural Book," produced by a crack team of shooters led by the former White House photographers David Hume Kennerly , Bob McNeely and our current White House chronicler Pete Souza.

Masters of finessing intimate, private moments from the most shielded public figures--even while they are in public--the team does not disappoint. I loved seeing the broad grin on a slightly hidden Denzel Washington as he watched the swearing in ceremony, and was moved by the way Michelle Obama keeps her life in balance with her family by taking time for her birthday with her kids. These simple, yet powerful moments by Kennerly and McNeely are more than matched by the photos of David S. Holloway and Andy Issacson capturing the other big story of the day: America's long slow journey toward racial reconciliation. And Pete Souza always rocks my world. I literally got chills looking at his quiet observations of Obama taking stock of his new life; viewing the Kennedy portrait, catching a patch of sun as he contemplates his impossible task ahead.

If you were not there and want to get a very, very good taste of what it was like to witness history, here's your front row ticket to the day that changed America and the world.

I went to the inauguration in DC and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my lifetime. The crowd, people, energy, and hope were all palpable. I wanted to remember this event is as many ways as I could, and so I have purchased a few of these inaugural books. This one is BY FAR THE BEST of the lot. The photos are amazing and the book is really a high quality publication -- not just a quickie production with poor quality printing, etc. The essays literally brought a tear to my eye, and the full text of Obama's speech is in here -- moving as well. This is far and beyond the best from what I have seen in the genre.

This is an extraordinary book and as I read through it, it brought tears to my eyes because it is like the inauguration just happened yesterday. The photos and essays in the book are awesome and inspiring! What a defining moment in history to see belief, inspiration, hope, and change in the faces of all who came together to share a common purpose. I appreciate the quality this book has presented.

First off, a disclaimer...I am friends of many of those who were involved in the creation of this book. But of the scores of Obama books on the market, this one stands out for two primary reasons: first, it's the official book of record of President Obama's inauguration (sanctioned by the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee); and second, due to the talents of its world-class photographers, essayists and editors, it absolutely captures the excitement, energy and exhilaration of Barack Obama's ascent to the Presidency and the days surrounding his inauguration. As one who so wanted to be in D.C. with millions of fellow-celebrants, this book is the next best thing, and is a wonderful record of one of the most historic moments in American history. Highly, highly recommended.

This book stands above the crowd of books on Obama and the inauguration. It is a very high quality book full of beautiful and moving photos, which you can only find in this book. The photos cover everything: from the whistle-stop tour, the musical performances, the inauguration itself, the balls that night, and the first day in the White House. There is a picture of President Obama looking at a photo of Kennedy near the end of the book that is particularly poignant. The essay by Rep. John Lewis, connecting the civil rights movement to Obama's success, is also great. Highly recommended.

I so love this book. I have bought a few books about our new President and the wonderful election we had. They have all been really nice, beautiful pictures, and this one is too. Some of the pictures I have not seen before, and it is nice that it deals with just the Inauguration rather then the campaign. I also bought this as a gift for some other people who were as excited about the election as I was...it makes a great gift.

Remember the feeling you had when you watched the inauguration and you felt connected to everyone in the country... your heart was filled with hope and potential... well this book is it! Gorgeous photographs and text for this historic occasion!

As one of the producers of "Barack Obama: The Official Inaugural Book"
I would like to thank everyone who worked on the project. We achieved our goal which was to give people who were at the Inauguration a great souvenir of what they experienced, and if they weren't there, a great way of seeing it through the eyes of our wonderful photographers!

How can a public moment be private? When it is between two people, and intended to be only between those two people, and when nothing else matters except the energy being exchanged between those two people at that particular moment. And when the assumption is that no one else will hear, or feel, or understand, or even see what is happening in that instantaneous split-second when a look betrays a thought.

This book is full of those moments and there is something in it that will touch everyone and anyone. Looking through the pages, you feel you are witnessing and feeling the rush of intimate moments and feelings in a momentous event that was the culmination of more than 200 years of history and the dawning of a new era in American thought. It is the perfect gift because it says, better than anything, that "you can do it."

It is a joyous celebration; the high side and a triumph over human challenges. It elevates what is good in humans and the photos alone rejoice in special feelings, that are usually tucked away but that come out and play when it is safe, and when there is every reason to be happy and hopeful.

This is a book not just about an American Presidential Inauguration, or the inauguration of the first black American President, but about triumph, and glory, and hope. And basic goodness. It is exceptional. And inspiring.

This book offers a detailed look in essays and pictures of the inauguration of President Obama. The photography is vivid and beautiful. A good book to keep.