There are books one reads for enjoyment, others to intellectually challenge yourself, others for education. This is a book that can fill you with hope and just make you feel better about the world. I knew a bit about Michelle prior to reading this autobiography but after reading it, I had one thought “There really are legitimately good people in politics, who knew?” This is not to say the woman is a saint or a paragon of perfection, she is quite candid about some of her struggles and challenges. What is clear, however, is the fact that she (and Barack) are honest, caring people who genuinely want to make a difference in the world. Her general disdain for politics is also explicitly stated, which is a shame, because we, as a society, need more people like both her and Barack in government.
If I had one quibble with the book, it is that I would have liked to have seen her spend more time on the periods when Barack was a State Senator and then Senator as they are the parts of their life that I knew the least about. I understand why she focused on her upbringing, her early years with Barack and their time in the Presidency, but I think even 25-50 more pages would have made this an even more comprehensive novel.
Again, that is a minor point, The story flows smoothly from her childhood, to her career, to the relationship and marriage to Barack and ends with the 8 years they spent in the White House. Hope was a large component of the presidential campaign of President Obama and that theme resonates through Michelle’s story as well. If you want to read something that can make you feel better and optimistic about the future, this is a great book to pick up
