And here is another political Sleestak Sunday. Featuring a book cover that shows what President Obama would look like if he were a Sleestak. I am one of those who did read (or listen to on audio-book)
The Audacity of Hope. It wasn't bad. The President read it himself, and he is pretty good at the audiobook thing. I could not escape the suspicion that this was not a deeply personal memoir as much as it was part of his campaign... a slick piece of work written very carefully to help promote Barack Obama for his future high office. The last book by a President (a past President, instead of a future one) I read was the one by Jimmy Carter on his experiences in the outdoors hunting and fishing. Former President Jimmy Carter probably has no big future ambitions so he was probably felt more free to write about any old thing he wanted.
The Audacity of Hope could have used more funny/interesting personal anecdotes. The one where he recalls meeting George W. Bush (in which Obama imitates Bush's voice in the reading of it) was pretty good and was a highlight of the book.
As for the current candidates, I am not aware of a third book for adults by President Obama. Newt Gingrich has written a bunch of books, including
a science fiction novel. Seems like just about anyone for President has someone ghost-write a book. I don't find anything by Mitt Romney yet, other than a campaign document for Kindle authored by "Romney for President". Rick Santorum doesn't have anything yet other than something from 2005 which is really a connection of speeches.
Have any of my readers read books by Presidents?
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| Sleestak Obama book cover |
8 comments:
Sleestaks and presidents. Not as uncommon as one might think.
I'd like to listen to an Obama audiobook. He has a nice voice. For something more personal, you might try Dreams From My Father.
I think it is pretty cool how many book Carter has written over the years.
Looks like Newt...
Tim: Check into the Sleestak vs Dole Presidential debates. Altrusian-American involvement in American politics dates at least back to 1996.
Laura B: I used to think so, but along the way I got tired of Obama's voice, and I have been for a while now. But it took me longer to get tired of his voice than I did for Jack Kemp's. Remember him?
BB: Not as much as this fellow
I highly recommend Carter's memoir, AN HOUR BEFORE DAYLIGHT. He has written all his own books. I'm pretty sure President Obama wrote his, too.
This long list mentions the ghostwriting claims for Obama's "Dreams From My Father". They also make ghostwriting accusations against books by Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. I think a lot of the claims of ghostwriting on this list are unsubstantiated.
I've read #16, the one by Colin Powell, and I don't recall doubting that it was by him.
I did read #11, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", but it was well known it was by Alex Haley.
I've read others on this list also.
I would comment that everything Newt writes is science fiction but I have just learned that today is Pie Day and it's put me in such a good mood that I am going to go look for my fork.
Gerry: In honor of Mr Gingrich and his resemblance to Mr Stay-Puft, check out this marshmallow pie recipe
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