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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Great read, felt like a conversation
I really enjoyed this look at where the First Lady came from.
I bought the Audible Version. Having Michelle Obama read to me is priceless. Expensive but definitely worth it.
I loved this book. So intimate and personal, recounting the doubts and fears that plagued her early life, thoughts of “Am I good enough?” that caused her to overachieve. I could identify with that. As I was reading, I felt like she was sitting before me, telling her life story, in her own voice in her own way. At one point she speaks directly to the reader, ” Bear with me here” as she proceeds to reveal more of herself. She reveals secrets, even confessing, “But I’d seen enough of the divisions to temper my own hopes. Barack was a black man in American, after all. I didn’t really think he could win.”
There are charming stories, like when she first met the Queen. The Queen asked about her shoes, they shared a laugh, and Obama wrote, “We were just two tired ladies oppressed by our shoes.”
There is also blunt honesty about being black. Of students at an all female, mostly ethnic school, she states, “They need to fight the invisibility that comes with being poor, female and of color.” Something she felt herself.
But the thing that impressed me most about Michelle Obama, is her grace. In speaking of racism and hatred of blacks that exists in our country, “We lived with it as a family, and we lived with it as a nation. And we carried on, as gracefully as we could.”
Her strong moral character, her realism, her love of family and country comes thru. The results of her many initiatives are astounding. Not sure any other First Lady’s accomplishments come anywhere close. I confess the end of the book made me sad. Sad that we no longer had such an admirable, smart, country-focused President and First Lady in the White House. But I highly recommend this book, especially to every girl who wonders if she is good enough.
Very well written
Very well written from the heart and explains so many things about the Obamas.
Loved this book. Michelle Obama opened her life for the reader to learn more about courage and grace under many challenging circumstances. She is a national treasure.
This book was excellent! Michelle Obama writes very well. I learned many things about her life that I did not know. I also learned a lot about her husband and their relationship. She comes across as a strong, loving woman. I have always admired her. This book makes me admire her even more.
As if you need one more person to tell you to read this book! This is such a fantastic memoir, far more about one woman’s journey than it is about politics or her time as First Lady (I was more than halfway through the book before she even got to the presidential run!) So affirming and validating, especially for those of us juggling motherhood and work.
Truth speaking. Informative. Human. Real.
I loved it so much.
I enjoyed reading this book very inspiring.
Honest and real. Great read.
What courage intelligence and grace after hard work acheiving success Michele Obama reachs out to mentour young women she is a must read for both the young and the old she reminds us we are not just here to elevate our selves but encourage one another as well
Mrs. Obama described her childhood days with sweet nostalgia, growing up and falling in love with Barack Obama with deep feeling, their marriage, and his political career with honesty. The many things they each accomplished while Barack was in office were impressive. The way they both grew up along with their girls. An excellent read. Michelle is an excellent writer. I greatly recommend it to anyone.
Grammar errors abound, untouched by the editor. Why?
Not what I was expecting. Gene Pantalone, author of From Boxing Ring to Battlefield: The Life of War Hero Lew Jenkins.
Loved it
Provides much insight into the Obama family and the events which shaped their political lives
I loved this book. I learned so much about the presidency and the affects on those running and their families. Michelle is a lovely, intelligent and insightful woman with such class and dignity yet retaining a “regular person” attitude with all that that entails.