An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
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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.
Michelle Obama is a class act, as is her book. First - it's a very lovely book, with paper thicker than normal and more pictures than one often finds. It's definitely giftable. But most importantly, as with any book, is the content - and she nails it. Down to earth and honest, she gives us the gift of her childhood - the music, her disabled dad, her strict piano-teaching aunt that came through for her at just the right moment. She tells us about her high school years, and then into college - and she finally is allowed to claim her own accomplishments, rather than being just "Mrs. Obama". I had little idea of her professional life before politics called her away, and in that she also excelled. She talked about how hard it could be to find the strength and grace, day in and day out, to live such a public life when fear called to the hatred in too many. One book could not cover all eight years, but she does cover some of the best - and some of the worst - moments.
On one hand, reading this was like a breath of fresh air, one missed for too long. On the other hand, it leaves me questioning even more how we went from a family with class and sincerity and honor to what we currently have now. And the answers are heart-breaking. I do miss the Obamas - not because they have faded from view, but because they signified the best of what our country could be. The actual American Dream come true. All done with grace and kindness and heart. All of which is on ample display within the pages of this book.
