Obamaland: Who is Barack Obama? [Paperback]

Ron Jacobs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2009

Hawai i, the birthplace of our 44th
president, Barack Obama. In
Obamaland: Who Is Barack Obama?
local broadcasting fixture Ron Jacobs
explores the dynamics of the nation s
greatest melting pot and offers
reflections, observations and insights
into the man that would inspire millions
in this country and the world, to dream
and to believe that all things are
possible.
This story tells of a young Barack
Obama; of his heritage borne of a union
between a man of color from Kenya and
a Caucasian woman from Kansas; of his
formative years enrolled in Hawai i s
schools, including that venerable
institution of island education, Punahou;
the everlasting influence of his
grandparents, the Dunham s; and of the
places, sights, sounds and smells of these
islands that would shape and mold him.
Chicago and its gritty history of roughand-
tumble hardball politics may have
forged him into a man, but Honolulu
(and to a greater degree, Hawai i); its
confluence of cultures, imbued with the
timeless Hawaiian values of ohana
(family) and aloha (love, compassion),
allowed young Barack to be a boy and
would instill in him, the sense of respect,
inclusion and compassion he carries with
him to this day.
Visit the places that young Barack
frequented. Walk the streets where he s
lived. Share in the stories and
reflections of the people, famous and not
so famous, who knew him or met him.
Obamaland is Hawai i, and Hawai i is
the birthplace of the 44th President of
the United States of America.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ron Jacobs has had an illustrious career
in radio that spans well over 5 decades.
He began his broadcasting career after
receiving his FCC license at the age of
15 and became one of Hawai i s
legendary rock `n roll DJ s the Poi
Boys. While working in radio markets
on the West Coast, Jacobs is best known
as program director of KHJ radio during
its seminal Boss Radio years and the
co-creator of the widely syndicated
American Top 40 countdown show. In
addition to stints as record producer and
concert promoter, Jacobs has also served
as contributing editor to both Honolulu and Hawai`i magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Booklines Hawaii, Ltd.; 1 edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970621396
• ISBN-13: 978-0970621399
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obamaland, February 5, 2009

By 

Lynn Taylor (Ojai, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obamaland: Who is Barack Obama? (Paperback)

This book is amazing. If you are into Hawaiiana it is also really a collectable as it is filled with everything from old ticket stubs to amazing photos. Photos of Obama never seen before that tells both Obama's history and the history of Hawaii through his experiences. Comments from people who knew him and from people who knew his father. It is also incredibly "user friendly" as it is not a dry fact-history kind of book. It is chock full of photos and memorabilia and is in the category of a keepsake not just a book. Ron Jacobs did an amazing job of researching and collecting photos, stories and interviews and combined it all into a book that you want to show to all your friends and keep out on the coffee table for others to enjoy. I love it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Born and Raised in Hawaii, March 13, 2009

By 

Sandra Conrad "Hawaiian Jewish Princess" (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obamaland: Who is Barack Obama? (Paperback)

I loved the book. As I was born and raised in Hawaii and went to Punahou at the same time as Ron Jacobs, it brought back many memories of how it was growing up in the fifties. My two daughters also graduated from Punahou, one in '78 and one in '80, so they were on each side of Obama. Seeing in print the way Hawaii was then really was amazing. Ron did a great job putting this together.

I can certainly see how Obama felt being a black person at Punahou as I am Jewish, although I didn't find out until graduation, that I was the token Jewish girl in my class of 208. I can remember going to my college counseling session in May of my senior year. I had been accepted to UCLA, and the counselor said, "Where are you going to live? There are no dorms at UCLA (1955)." I said I planned to pledge a sorority and live in a sorority house. The counselor said, "You can't pledge a sorority, you aren't white".

As it turned out, UCLA was restricted at that time, however there were three Jewish sororities out of twenty three and I was fortunate to pledge AEPhi, which was my first choice. The Gentile sorority houses did not welcome Jewish girls and there were no black sorority houses.

To give an idea of the times, Raefer Johnson, the decathlon champion of the world was a student at UCLA. He had nowhere to live on campus and one of the Jewish fraternities let him live in their house, liked him so much, they made him a brother. At that point they nearly got thrown out of their national fraternity for pledging a black man. Raefer was threatened with lynching, should he ever attend one of the fraternity's Southern chapters.

I can't even imagine the trials and tribulations Barry must have gone through, however what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....obviously. Fortunately Obama did not go to college until the 80's.

I did not go on to become famous, however Ron Jacobs and I have remained friends for over 50 years and when the book came out, that first day, Ron called me up, I drove to his house in Kaneohe and he autographed Book One to me....I will treasure it always....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Obamaland: Multi-level winner!, May 10, 2009

By 

Elaine K (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Obamaland: Who is Barack Obama? (Paperback)

Prior to a recent visit to Oahu, I was looking for reading material regarding the island and learned that "Obamaland" was the current best-seller there. Since I was curious to learn more about our new president, as well as Oahu, I got it.

My first perusal was spent scanning the very impressive photos and graphics, then I went back through and read the text. It was far more than I had hoped for. I learned a great deal about the island, which was instrumental in helping us craft our itinerary for our most enjoyable trip. Equally as valuable was gaining an understanding of our remarkable 44th President the mainstream media has not at all demonstrated. Ron Jacobs' knowledge and ability to communicate on each of these subject should be supremely valuable to anyone of any level of interest.

Whether one is seeking a masterfully written history, a travel guide or an amazing pictorial, Obamaland is a masterpiece.