Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming

by Michelle Obama

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
 
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WATCH THE EMMY-NOMINATED NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.
 
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

Reviewed by Leah on

5 of 5 stars

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Michelle Obama is a thoroughly class act - I'm not one for politics at all, UK or US, but I don't think anyone doesn't love the Obama's. I most certainly do and to get the privilege and opportunity to read Becoming was a really special thing. For Michelle to tell us her life story - how she became who she is, how she and Barack became who they are, the whole story of the presidency was so fascinating.

It's very easy to just assume someone who becomes president must be from a privileged background, Trump has more than proven that vast quantities of money can get you that seat in the White House, but Michelle and Barack Obama very much prove the opposite.

Michelle is just a genuinely amazing, fascinating woman. The things she has accomplished in her life and throughout the presidency is astounding, and half of it I didn't even know until I read Becoming. It makes me sad that Michelle says she will never run in politics because she could absolutely smash being president.

Becoming is an absolutely magnificent book. You feel like you really get to know the Obama's and I just can't speak highly enough about Michelle, she's truly an inspiration.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 4 April, 2019: Finished reading
  • 4 April, 2019: Reviewed