Manas Ganguly

(Reviewers note: Barack Obama tops the list of the very few world leaders that I hold in favorable view and appreciative of. Therefore, this review is handicapped by a positive disposition that I may hold of Barack Obama.) “The Promised land” is an outstanding piece Barack Obama in many respects. Obama delivers it in a manner as statesman like as could be. It comes as a brutally honest assessment of his journey from childhood to 1st presidential term. Wait.. 1st presidential term? What about the rest? That is where the heart break is. The book which painstakingly traces the legacy of Obama from Kenya to Washington – stops abruptly post the killing of Osama bin Laden. No re-election, no 2nd term. Its as if, I was looking past the last page to understand where the rest of the story is. It feels like this is the first half of a larger book – and the second part is missing. A part 1 of sorts. As to the book, Obama gives an astute, disarming, transparent (no filter) view of his early days, of his youth and the beginnings of a political awakening, values and principles, of his days as a senator, of relationships nurtured – of friends and foes, of his gawks and goofs as well as his achievements and finally the trials of an American president. It traces a process of building something bigger than just his character – his legacy. He makes the point amply clear – being the president of United states is not a joy ride. It is the proverbial crown of thorns. As a commentary on policy , it gives a bleacher view of the economic, social, diplomatic and international relations, managing allies and handling complex situations and even more complex personalities and quirks of international leaders. Read it for his views about the economic crisis, social health and Obamacare, racial relations, migrant crisis, the Democrats versus Republicans, World trade, Russia, Mid east, Terror among others. It is tremendously beneficial because Obama does not just indulge in his view of the matters of the state, he gives alternate view points – of the positives and negatives and what factors led to his choice of a particular perspective at “that” point of time. Obama is also honest about his troubles at home and personal relationships. His critical and yet – non biased assessment of relationship with Michelle as a friend, counsel, wife is a great thread through the chapters. Overall, the book covers Obama – the man, an Afro-American, husband, father, family man, senator, politician, statesman, world leader, reformer, president and possibly a man for the ages.