オバマ大統領とミッシェル夫人が2008年にホワイトハウスに住み始めてから、2011年まで何を考え、どのように暮らし、どのように変貌していったかを内側から描いた本。
政策そのものを描くことが目的ではないので、ヒラリー国務長官やガイトナー財務長官といった日本でおなじみの主要閣僚も存在感は薄く、金融危機や中東危機といった内政外交の主要トピックスも遠景的に描写されるだけ。
本書が焦点を当てているのは、Change!を掲げて黒人発の大統領となったオバマが、'Washington Politics'を嫌って孤高を保つその有様と、そうしたオバマとミッシェル夫人の関係、ミッシェル夫人の性格、ファーストレディになってからの生活と人間関係、そして4年のうちに、どのように変貌していったかという内面的な心理過程であり、そのプロセスに直接、関係のない事象はばっさり捨象されている。
オバマの内向的な性格や取り巻きの人々の出自、ミッシェル夫人の政治的役割と夫との関係、ホワイトハウスのスタッフの人間関係など、ニュースを見たり政治関連の本を読むことでは得られない情報が得られる。
それだけでなく、ホワイトハウスの間取りから、大統領の誕生日や休暇の過ごし方、起床や就寝の時間、ミッシェル夫人のお母さんや子供たちのワシントン生活、昔の友人との会い方など、ワイドショー的ネタがテンコ盛りでミーハーな覗き見趣味が満たされる。
それにしても、アメリカの大統領であるということはなんて不自由なことなんだろう。本書に登場するオバマは自伝の
マイ・ドリーム―バラク・オバマ自伝
で描かれた繊細な感受性を持ち、自由に思考し行動する若き日のオバマ青年と比べ、全然、魅力的ではない。
こういう本が日本の現職の政治家にも書かれると面白いのに。
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The Obamas ペーパーバック – イラスト付き, 2012/8/7
英語版
Jodi Kantor
(著)
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購入オプションとあわせ買い
Award-winning reporter Jodi Kantor takes readers deep inside the White House in an "insightful and evocative" portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama (Chicago Tribune) that will surprise even readers who thought they knew the two icons.
When Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, he also won a long-running debate with his wife Michelle. Contrary to her fears, politics now seemed like a worthwhile, even noble pursuit. Together they planned a White House life that would be as normal and sane as possible.
Then they moved in.
In the Obamas, Jodi Kantor takes us deep inside the White House as they try to grapple with their new roles, change the country, raise children, maintain friendships, and figure out what it means to be the first black President and First Lady. The Obamas is filled with riveting detail and insight into their partnership, emotions and personalities, and written with a keen eye for the ironies of public life.
When Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, he also won a long-running debate with his wife Michelle. Contrary to her fears, politics now seemed like a worthwhile, even noble pursuit. Together they planned a White House life that would be as normal and sane as possible.
Then they moved in.
In the Obamas, Jodi Kantor takes us deep inside the White House as they try to grapple with their new roles, change the country, raise children, maintain friendships, and figure out what it means to be the first black President and First Lady. The Obamas is filled with riveting detail and insight into their partnership, emotions and personalities, and written with a keen eye for the ironies of public life.
- 本の長さ400ページ
- 言語英語
- 出版社Little, Brown and Company
- 発売日2012/8/7
- 寸法13.97 x 3.18 x 21.59 cm
- ISBN-100316098760
- ISBN-13978-0316098762
商品の説明
レビュー
"'The strengths and challenges of our marriage don't change because we move to a different address,' Michelle Obama told Jodi Kantor early on. How though did those strengths and challenges evolve in the White House? What did they signal to the rest of the country and, how did they shape policy? An intimate, arresting view of a formidable couple and, especially, of a transformative First Lady, one who may have taught us more than we yet realize."
―Stacy Schiff, author of The Witches
"A meticulous reporter, Kantor is attuned to the nuance of small gestures, the import of unspoken truths. She knows that every strong marriage, including the one now in the White House, has its complexities and disappointments. Kantor also--and this is a key--has a high regard for women, which is why hers is the first book about the Obama presidency to give Michelle Obama her due. In the process we learn a great deal about the talented and introverted loner who married her, and how his wife has influenced him as a president...Kantor retires wooden stereotypes of the political wife as prop or a problem and instead explores what it means to be a modern first lady, one with her own opinions and an expectation that she will be heard."
―Connie Schultz, New York Times
"The Obamas is among the very best books on this White House. It's a serious, thoughtful book on the modern presidency in general."
―Ezra Klein
"Energetically reported.... Kantor nails her story.... We political gluttons will lick the spoon clean."
―David Remnick, The New Yorker
"A portrait of a remarkable marriage.... Kantor's writing is insightful and evocative, rich with detail...[and her] reporting rings true--and considering the administration's insistence on presenting a unified front, it is a considerable achievement."
―Kerry Luft, Chicago Tribune
―Stacy Schiff, author of The Witches
"A meticulous reporter, Kantor is attuned to the nuance of small gestures, the import of unspoken truths. She knows that every strong marriage, including the one now in the White House, has its complexities and disappointments. Kantor also--and this is a key--has a high regard for women, which is why hers is the first book about the Obama presidency to give Michelle Obama her due. In the process we learn a great deal about the talented and introverted loner who married her, and how his wife has influenced him as a president...Kantor retires wooden stereotypes of the political wife as prop or a problem and instead explores what it means to be a modern first lady, one with her own opinions and an expectation that she will be heard."
―Connie Schultz, New York Times
"The Obamas is among the very best books on this White House. It's a serious, thoughtful book on the modern presidency in general."
―Ezra Klein
"Energetically reported.... Kantor nails her story.... We political gluttons will lick the spoon clean."
―David Remnick, The New Yorker
"A portrait of a remarkable marriage.... Kantor's writing is insightful and evocative, rich with detail...[and her] reporting rings true--and considering the administration's insistence on presenting a unified front, it is a considerable achievement."
―Kerry Luft, Chicago Tribune
著者について
Jodi Kantor began her journalism career by dropping out of Harvard Law School to join Slate.com in 1998. Four years later, she became the Arts & Leisure editor of the New York Times. She has been covering the Obamas since 2007, and though she is a Washington correspondent for the newspaper, she lives in Brooklyn with her family. Jodi's reporting with Meghan Twohey on Harvey Weinstein won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. She can be followed at twitter.com/jodikantor.
著者について
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他の国からのトップレビュー

Seann Haver
5つ星のうち5.0
Good Read
2018年3月22日にカナダでレビュー済みAmazonで購入
Well written, I never knew much about their personal lives but the book confirmed to me what a wonderful couple they are. This family is a great roll model for family's or couples. I found Michele to be very intelligent and strong, not only that also a very good human being.
I highly recommend this book if you share their values.
I highly recommend this book if you share their values.

Paolo & Francesca
5つ星のうち5.0
The private lives of Barack and Michelle
2012年9月26日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済みAmazonで購入
The Obamas do present a polished exterior, this book shows their human side. The story is fascinating look at a relationship and how politics shaped it. We get to know Barack Obama, a man full of idealism and ambition, who felt that running for the president would enable him to make the changes he wants to see in the country. We see Michelle Obama, skeptical of the power of politics to effect change, and concerned about how the Presidency would effect their relationship and their children's lives. By winning the presidency Barack won a bet with Michelle, and she put her whole mind and heart to his success. It was interesting to learn about their adjustment to their life in the White House. They were no longer private citizens and every move they made had political implications, from how they wanted to redecorate the white house to Michelle's clothing and their vacations. Despite all of their presidential privileges, the first family is not able to come and go as they please, even in their own house. Public tours of the white house prevents them from roaming freely in the mansion or on the grounds. They could not take strolls in their own neighborhood. Visits to their home in Chicago became impossible, and vacations were scrutinized. We see Barack Obama learning to define the Presidency in his own terms. Despite being president, he despises politics and really just want to help people. Even as he values getting advice from all sides, he doesnt like people to question his judgement, and is usually convinced that he knows better. He pursued policies that were the most important to him even if he knew they were politically unpopular. The author spends a great deal of time illuminating Michelle Obama's struggles. She reveals how Michelle wants to be a role model, her gift at connecting with children, especially disadvantaged ones, her protectiveness of her husband, and her desire to play an instrumental role in the White House. She worked as Barack's most influential advisor, reminding him to think about the common American in his work. She forced his advisors to become more organized. While Barack was loyal and forgiving, Michelle was demanding and took everybody to task. She wasn't content to play a passive role, she chose initiatives that complemented his and used her popularity to gain public goodwill for the Presidency.
The Obama's story is inspiring. Barack's devotion to his family is touching. Despite the demands of his career, he made sure to have dinner with his family every night. He coached his children's basketball games and got involved in their school. He took his wife on date nights. He tried hard to protect her from politics and be considerate of her needs. Michelle is incredible in the way she gave him unconditional support, believed in him when nobody else did, and looked after his emotional health and his political standing. Every couple can learn from their love and selflessness and learn how much spousal support contributes to success. They are truly a team and Barack Obama would be half of who he is without his wife. Their commitment to the American people and to helping those most in need is passionate and genuine. They deserve to be in the White House and celebrated for their accomplishments.
The Obama's story is inspiring. Barack's devotion to his family is touching. Despite the demands of his career, he made sure to have dinner with his family every night. He coached his children's basketball games and got involved in their school. He took his wife on date nights. He tried hard to protect her from politics and be considerate of her needs. Michelle is incredible in the way she gave him unconditional support, believed in him when nobody else did, and looked after his emotional health and his political standing. Every couple can learn from their love and selflessness and learn how much spousal support contributes to success. They are truly a team and Barack Obama would be half of who he is without his wife. Their commitment to the American people and to helping those most in need is passionate and genuine. They deserve to be in the White House and celebrated for their accomplishments.

LLBH
5つ星のうち5.0
Well worth a read!!
2012年2月20日に英国でレビュー済みAmazonで購入
I have not finished this book as yet and will dread the day when I get to the end of it. The book gives an in depth insight on the workings of Obama's White House, while he is the incumbent. It gives a behind the headlines look at what Obama's presidency is really about. It was an eye opener to what the Obamas are really like away from the photos, tv interviews etc.
I have found it to be an interesting read, even though it was slanted in the US press for its depiction of Michelle Obama. It shows how lonely being the resident of the White House can be. The Obamas' adjustment to the Office of the POTUS, isn't as glamorous as we would imagine,but their love for US comes through loud and clear. I have been inspired by the Obamas and what they are striving to achieve. I really do hope he is allowed a second term to finish the job he has started. This book has left me thinking, was United States really ready for their first African American president?
I have found it to be an interesting read, even though it was slanted in the US press for its depiction of Michelle Obama. It shows how lonely being the resident of the White House can be. The Obamas' adjustment to the Office of the POTUS, isn't as glamorous as we would imagine,but their love for US comes through loud and clear. I have been inspired by the Obamas and what they are striving to achieve. I really do hope he is allowed a second term to finish the job he has started. This book has left me thinking, was United States really ready for their first African American president?

Andy Orrock
5つ星のうち4.0
Portrays Michelle as intelligent, formidably talented in her own right, and a very equal partner to her husband
2012年1月30日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済みAmazonで購入
I've read and heard reviews in various magazines and shows slamming this book for its harsh treatment of Michelle Obama. As a fan of the First Lady's, I think those comments are off of the mark. I found Jodi Kantor's work to be an insightful look at life in the White House. It portrays Michelle as intelligent, formidably talented in her own right, and a very equal partner to her husband. In fact, Kantor's Michelle has emotional intelligence in spades, an important attribute that the author clearly feels that the President lacks. To that end, Kantor posits that the First Lady is critical to the Obama administration...and to Barack Obama. "Yes, We Can" and massive campaign rallies notwithstanding, the President is shown over and over again on these pages to be introverted and increasingly walled-off from public perceptions of his performance. It's FLOTUS, not POTUS, who gets - and continually reinforces - the importance of connection. This is one impressive lady.
If anyone were to be upset about the way they're portrayed on these pages, it should be first friend, Obama confidante and West Wing advisor, Valerie Jarrett. On more than a couple of occasions, she's shown as playing East Wing against West Wing, and representing views as the First Lady's, when - at least on one explosive circumstance (when it was reported that Michelle had told Carla Bruni-Sarkozy that "living in the White House was hell") - Jarrett and Mrs. Obama hadn't spoken. It's worth noting that in reporting the event, Kantor lets former advisor Robert Gibbs have a tremendously cathartic rip at Jarrett.
Kantor's end-of-book summation about the Michelle Obama of the last three years is unmistakably positive: "In the nearly three years in the White House, the Obamas had changed positions with one another. After all Michelle's protests about politics...she was going to emerge from the presidency stronger and more at peace, aides predicted. For the rest of his term, for the rest of his life, the president was going to have to live with what he accomplished and what he did not. She had entered with her own expectations low and then exceeded them; he had entered on top of the world, and had been descending to earth ever since."
If anyone were to be upset about the way they're portrayed on these pages, it should be first friend, Obama confidante and West Wing advisor, Valerie Jarrett. On more than a couple of occasions, she's shown as playing East Wing against West Wing, and representing views as the First Lady's, when - at least on one explosive circumstance (when it was reported that Michelle had told Carla Bruni-Sarkozy that "living in the White House was hell") - Jarrett and Mrs. Obama hadn't spoken. It's worth noting that in reporting the event, Kantor lets former advisor Robert Gibbs have a tremendously cathartic rip at Jarrett.
Kantor's end-of-book summation about the Michelle Obama of the last three years is unmistakably positive: "In the nearly three years in the White House, the Obamas had changed positions with one another. After all Michelle's protests about politics...she was going to emerge from the presidency stronger and more at peace, aides predicted. For the rest of his term, for the rest of his life, the president was going to have to live with what he accomplished and what he did not. She had entered with her own expectations low and then exceeded them; he had entered on top of the world, and had been descending to earth ever since."