A Promised Land
Problem with my writing is, I write this for instagram caption, then it becomes too long for the caption, instagram will not allow the long essay for caption and I end up publishing here.
A Promised Land is a memoir by Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.
For me, Obama is one of the political figures I admire most, and I knew I had to read this book. It’s a hefty volume of 701 pages, and I initially wondered how much he would have to say. The book begins with him describing his family, childhood, love for books, early life, and brief details of his personal journey—how he ultimately found his way into politics. The majority of the pages focus on his early presidency, up to May 2011.
The details of his political campaign, reforms, and policymaking are astounding in this book. He explains what large-scale problem-solving at the executive level truly looks like. For example, his account of the 2008 economic crisis and the economic rescue plan was particularly impressive to me. He describes navigating the crisis at a time when the financial system was in a grim state—credit markets were frozen and financial institutions on the brink of collapse. He walks through the possibilities, explaining why one option would not work and why another had a better chance of succeeding. Alongside Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, he conducted stress tests (3 month trial of a proposed plan) and developed the economic rescue plan. The implementation of the Recovery Act, the housing plan, and the rationale behind the stress tests are fascinating to read about. Within a year, the U.S. financial system was stabilized, and all TARP funds were fully repaid rather than costing taxpayers money. It’s remarkable to realize how even a word from President can move the stock market before policies are implemented, or a rhetoric directed at Wall Street, for instance, might have dissuaded private investors from recapitalizing banks and prolonged the financial crisis.
Similarly, his insights into U.S. foreign policy are worth reading. He discusses the quest for universal healthcare in the United States and other initiatives such as healthcare reform, immigration reform, and climate change legislation. He thoroughly explains the geopolitical landscape of his presidency. He believed that America’s security depended on strengthening alliances and international institutions. He saw military action as a tool of last, not first, resort. Galvanizing clean energy and addressing climate change were priorities of his campaign and presidency, including the effort to pass comprehensive climate legislation through Congress.
And then there are philosophies, his values/principle that he lives by, which I thought were indeed presidential, a class of a leader, and they make him who he is. For example, when a team member contradicted, he saw it as a moment to reflect upon and see the problem/solution from the different perspective. He appreciated those people who contradicted. What I have seen more in my limited life experience, those who contradict especially with those in power will be ousted, retaliated or punished.
The book is deeply political and presidential in scope. Any curious mind—especially one interested in politics—will enjoy it. Every leadership role is, in essence, a public service role, whether running an institution, a business, or a country. In this book, you witness how the most powerful and consequential public office operates. After reading it, I am even more impressed by Obama’s depth of understanding across economics, military strategy, climate science, diplomacy, healthcare reform, counterterrorism strategy, and more. I am awestruck by what it takes to be a president.
“Whatever you do won’t be enough,
Try anyway.”
~Barack Obama, A Promised Land
