The kind folks at The Biography Channel recently provided us with an advanced copy of the Barack Obama Biography that went on sell at Wal-Mart today. I had a chance over the weekend to sit down and review the biography in full and I have to confess that I'm glad I did.
While it is no secret that I am not a supporter of Obama, being able to sit down and look at his life without the political spin that often dominates was quite the refreshing change from the political hoopla that so often comes immediately after mention of Obama.
For those who have whispered uncertainly about his history or who have not yet begun to delve any deeper than the absolute basics (platform and political history), this biography may be just the thing needed to cut through the myths and help you figure out who Obama is and where he came from without leaving you even more confused than you were to begin with. From his struggles with his identity, to the father that Obama barely knew and his rise to political stardom, the biography is at times both captivating and heartwrenching without being overly political or leaving you wondering which campaign advisor helped with the script.
For those, however, who have examined Barack Obama's life in detail there will undoubtedly be few surprises in this biography. And if you are waiting to hear more about Jeremiah Wright or Obama's platform you will likely leave the Biography disappointed as you won't find much of that here. What you will find is a good place to start your research into the history of the man that seemingly came out of nowhere to take the Democratic nomination for President, including his childhood, his estrangement from his biological father, his teenage years, and his struggle with his identity throughout the college years. It is the introduction that many are seeking and will quite possibly clear up many of the questions that have been circulated about both here on ProgressiveU and elsewhere.
Biography: Barack Obama is on sell today exclusively at Wal-Mart and is worth a look from those who don't yet know where to begin as well as from those who'd like a refresher on the man who may be the 44th President of the United States. Die-hard Obama fans, however, will likely find too few surprises to feel it's worth a look.
I give it 3.9 out of 5 stars.
~Fallon
