Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs [Hardcover]

Deborah Willis (Author), Kevin Merida (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2008

Through 150 striking color photographs, Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs charts the road to Barack Obama's nomination as the first African American to lead the presidential ticket of a major party. Announcing his campaign in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007, Obama stood on the grounds of the Old State Capitol, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" speech against slavery in 1858. During an eighteen-month campaign, from the snows of Iowa to the hunt for Democratic "superdelegates," this junior senator from Chicago confounded the party establishment and rewrote the playbook on modern presidential campaigning. This amazing collection of photographs captures the public and private moments of his journey, and offers a unique window into one of the great triumphs in American politics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A photo historian, curator, and photographer, Deborah Willis is chair and professor of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Photography and Imaging. A Guggenheim, Fletcher, and MacArthur fellow, she lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061733091
• ISBN-13: 978-0061733093
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptionally Smart and Compelling Collection of Visual Images, November 11, 2008

By 

D.C. Book Club Member - See all my reviews

This review is from: Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs (Hardcover)

Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs is a wonderful photographic tribute to, and reflection on, the compelling, multi-faceted and spirited movement that elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. The 150 color photographs inspiringly selected by Deborah Willis, with smart textual narration by Kevin Merida, provide not just a glimpse of the president-elect and his political campaign but through the visual images, a studied insight into the phenomena that produced possibly the most transformative moment in American life on November 4, 2008. The photographs were taken by professionals as well as amateur photographers, on expensive cameras as well as cellphones, and of huge crowds as well as of the candidates and supporters in those rare quiet moments. The wonderful array selected by Willis, a MacArthur "genius" and the "dean" of American cultural photography, reflects her unique eye for capturing not only beauty but the depth of spirit that only photographs, unlike other media, can capture. This book captures that spirit not only of our president-elect but of the entire campaign.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of an unprecedented campaign, November 12, 2008

By 

Julie Neal (Sanibel Island, Fla.) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs (Hardcover)

This beautifully produced photo book chronicles Barack Obama's presidential campaign. There are no official "posed" photographs. They all appear to be candids, all 150 of them. Dozens of photographers contributed, including the famed Annie Leibovitz. Her relaxed portrait of Obama is in the introduction to the book.

Topics range from the obviously historic to the small and intimate. Huge rallies are juxtaposed with a close-up of Obama's wrist wearing a bracelet of a soldier killed in Iraq. Here he is on a cell phone, on a Blackberry, with Bill Clinton, playing basketball. In a deep conversation with Hillary on a campaign plane. Delivering pizza to his staff and volunteers. One spread is nothing but magazines with the candidate's face on the cover.

The Obama family is well represented. The famous fist-bump with wife Michelle is shown over five frames. The future first lady glows in photos showing off her sense of style. Several shots feature the young Obama daughters, appearing at ease and relaxed.

This is a worthy keepsake of an unprecedented campaign.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, it has character, January 23, 2011

By 

tessy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs (Hardcover)

I enjoyed reading this book. The pics were great and made it easier to comprehend what is all involved in running for presidenct position. Very vivid and bold colors that ehance the contents of the book.