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 … 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.
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Non-pariel! This is a story everyone should read.
What can I possibly say about this marvelous memoir that hasn’t already been said? Michelle Obama’s Becoming was even better than I hoped it would be. Her authenticity and compassion were evident on every page, whether she was sharing het story or calling on us to do better. This was an engaging, moving read. I cried when she shared about her dad’s decline and eventual death and later in the book when she met with kids in Englewood. I was inspired by her determination, spirit, and grit, no matter what she and her family faced. And I was moved to reflect on the ways I have become and am becoming. Gracious, I have missed her so much and there was a comfort in hearing her voice and remembering what she and President Obama accomplished. It’s well worth reading.
BOOK REVIEW
People who loathe President Obama and his wife Michelle will resentfully skip right past this soaring bestseller. And I get that; most of us don’t go out of our way to digest tell-all books from the other side. But in this case, that’s a shame. Because “Becoming” is an aspirational biography written and shared with grace and honesty. On top of that, if you take the time to consider this life experience of one of your fellow citizens, if you’re fair-minded, you will concede that Michelle Robinson’s story is the essence of the pure American experience: work hard, seek excellence, offer to serve, and ask God to richly multiply your efforts.
If you’re mainly interested in the Obamas’ White House years, just know that only takes up the final third of her story. So there’s plenty of interesting stuff from her days as a kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago in an ordinary African-American household. This is the classic “local girl makes good” tale of a high schooler who worked her buns off to get into Princeton so she could prove wrong her guidance counselor who flat-out said: “You don’t have what it takes to get there.” Then landed jobs with top law firms, only to move on for half the pay because she thought she could do more for her community helping to build more accessible hospital systems and improve education.
One thing I appreciate about a book like this is how it dispels commonly held stereotypes. I’ll mention three. For eight years a meme floated around that the Obamas were “lazy”; that they endlessly vacationed and flew around on Air Force One. It’s true that she and her husband took a load of well-deserved heat when the Secret Service had to guard “Renegade” and “Renaissance” for a New York City “date” that was a major traffic inconvenience and expense. But in terms of workload, the reality is this. Every single evening, his team and hers sent binders up to the White House residence. His was admittedly larger, but staffers and experts daily prepared large briefing folders they had to go through.
So in the President’s case, he would dutifully have supper with his wife and kids. Then, after the three Obama ladies were in bed, President Obama would retire to a study. And almost nightly, between ten p.m. and 1:30 in the morning, he would study and bone up on issues, filling his mind with stats and anecdotes and trend lines and the latest intel from foreign hot spots. Michelle Obama writes with awe at how, from her first days dating this Chicago newcomer, he carried around a zest for learning, for determinedly absorbing important factoids and stats and the broad, unshakable themes of history.
Several times a week, again, well past midnight, he would carefully read through ten selected letters sent to him from ordinary citizens. “While the rest of us slept,” she confesses, “he took down the fences and let everything inside.”
(As an aside, I did once read a Republican exposé by press secretary Scott McClellan. Even though I didn’t vote for George W. Bush, and Scott’s book had its “tell-all” moments, he does describe his boss as being diligently prepared and hardworking when it came to studying for important cabinet meetings.)
The second canard it’s good to set aside is that the Obama family was somehow “unchristian.” The Rev. Wright scandal was a political mess, pure and simple, but it did lead to one of candidate Obama’s finest moments when he gave his Philadelphia speech on race. But she writes about the family always saying grace before meals, having special “Sunday School” moments for Malia and Sasha in the White House. One of the quietly poignant moments is how she describes lying in bed next to her husband. “Every night, I’d look over and see Barack lying with his eyes closed on the other side of the bed, quietly saying his prayers.” She admits with profound gratitude how citizens of all races and backgrounds regularly murmured to her: “We pray for you and your family every day.”
Thirdly, it’s wonderful to read all through these pages how the First Couple loved, appreciated, and lauded the many military heroes who heroically serve our nation in uniform. Michelle had endless meetings with soldiers and vets and their families; she describes holding hands with war wives and crying together as they shared a prayer. “What I saw of military life left me humbled,” she writes. “As long as I’d been alive, I’d n ever encountered the kind of fortitude and loyalty that I found in those [Walter Reed Hospital] rooms.”
In terms of writing style, it’s no secret Michelle Obama enjoys having a good team of collaborators around her to help make this a compelling story. The writing is crisp and interesting all the way through, infused with emotion, although I would have like to read more, for example, about how she and Barack felt when Mitt Romney creamed him in their first 2012 debate. Again, the Obamas’ two White House terms are described in just the last hundred pages or so, beginning with this vulnerable confession: “There is no handbook for incoming First Ladies of the United States.” But all of it is warm, kind, and a powerful expression of what she hopes will always be an America – this unique place of opportunity – striving to be all that it ever can.
I loved this book. I’ve always loved Michelle Obama as a person because I thought she was just so down to Earth and this book just solidifies those thoughts. She starts her story right at the beginning in her childhood and explains how she is how she is and the struggles and successes she has seen in her life so far. She also talks about meeting Barack and his political aspirations and how they changed her life. More importantly she stresses how she never wanted to do anything that would hurt their children no matter how good it would have been for either of their careers.
From this book you are confronted with the proof of what a kind and wonderful lady she is and how she never let any of this unexpected fame go to her head. She also expresses how thankful she is that the limelight is over and how she has no intention of ever entering politics herself. Since I listened to the audiobook and she narrates it, it was like she was telling me her story. I highly suggest that you check it out in either physical format or as an audiobook. You won’t be disappointed.
A fascinating glimpse into Michelle Obama’s upbringing and experience in the White House. Could not put it down.
I like that Michelle was able to share her time and experience in the White House. She’s an inspiration to a lot of young women who need a mentor. The book showed another side to the Obamas.
Loved it!
Wow what a book. It showed so many sidtes of her private life starting as a kid and following up over the years. You find fun stories, but also emotional ones in there and you always have the feeling that she is honest with her words. I really enjoyed the book.
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I tend to avoid becoming attached or a “fan” of popular people. I will admire them with or with caviots as I see fit. I have seen Michelle Obama as a First Lady with grace who has involved herself in issues that were of relevance to herself and her family and thus to a whole crossection of the population of parents with young children.
She has represented the U.S. very well. So I was interested to hear about her background. Nothing was a shocking surprise. It was a refreshing read full of interesting background. Her level of sacrifice (living as almost a single mother) so that her husband could pursue his calling left me breathless when I looked at her own career accomplishments.
As a working mother during the early start-up days in the Silicon Valley, I have a feel for what her life felt like. But ending up in the White house as a result has to be a shocking outcome!
I love her description of Barack Obama as a unicorn. That was the perfect description. He is the president I most admire to date. He wasn’t perfect, but he was human and humane. And presidential. I believe his success is partly a reflection of Michele and her support of him.
I do recommend this book to get insites into how Michele Obama sees the world and her world. And to learn more about the larger families of Barack and Michele Obama. It is a book the raises hope.
One of the best biographies I have ever read. My book club loved it.
Mrs. Obama comes across as a person one would want to have as a friend.
Genuine. Quirky. Smart. Funny. Strong woman. Highly recommend this books.
Honest and informative with a little of her humor to round out her story
It was really informative about her transition to First Lady and all the twists and turns along the way. It also gave some behind the scene looks at their family life and what it was like living in the White House living
The thing I liked the most is the conversational tone. There were times like I felt like I was right there. Great read.
I loved this book! I listened to it and felt as if she were speaking to me.
I found this book hard to put down. It is well written and full of personal insights from one of our country’s most influential women.
Michelle is so relate able. Her story is real and inspirational. Well written and easy to read. Even if you are not an Obama fan you can find great motivation in this book.
I felt this book gave an honest look at Mrs. Obama’s life and her time in the White House. She was open and honest about her joys, fears, and feelings. It is worth the read.
I listened to this on Audible. I really enjoyed hearing Michelle read her story in her own words. Very moving and learned a lot.
I loved the book! Michelle writes like she talks, it was very easy to imagine her sitting here with me discussing the book and telling her stories. She is very candid about her life experiences and her relationship with Barack.
Slow at some points, but overall great message and really powerful for young women.