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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
Nov 2018, 400 pages
Paperback:
Mar 2021, 464 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse First Impression Reviewers
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Winner of the 2019 BookBrowse Nonfiction Award
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.
In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America - the first African-American to serve in that role - she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations - and whose story inspires us to do the same.
Read a text excerpt of the preface
Listen to an audio excerpt of the preface, read by Mrs Obama
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Here are some of the comments posted about Becoming.
You can see the full discussion here.
Becoming
I am half way through and enjoying it more than ever. She is a great writer and her writing appears sincere and genuine much as I imagine her to be (I've never met her but sure would!). Some parts of her story sound so much like mine. I understood ... - robinb
Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?
I’ve swerved so many times during my life that thinking about my many choices and changes I almost feel dizzy! I believe every time there is even the slightest consideration to make another choice is a revision to a person’s life. With more thought I... - Suzanne
Have you, like Mrs. Obama, had moments in life where you felt as though you were representing one of your communities?
I have been in that situation and it felt vey daunting. I had to straddle my own self vs. not wanting to perpetuate any stereotypes. I wanted to fight preconceived notions while not getting angry or frustrated with people who believe such ideas. It ... - ruthiea
How did America's contradictions play out in the lives of the students at Harper High School? What are the barriers to ending gun violence? Are they surmountable?
If gun legislation was not passed after Sandy Hook, it will never be in my opinion. The gun lobby is too strong and politicians (even in the small town where I live) take money from the NRA. When politicians stop accepting money and toadying to the... - joannev
How did Barack Obama's sense of purpose affect their life as a married couple? Do you have someone in your life who supports or shares your own sense of purpose?
I agree with all the above posts, especially with how her strength and her value of doing for others allowed her, and her marriage to survive everything her husband through in her path. Although her husband always seemed to say he wouldn't do X if ... - ruthiea
BookBrowse Awards
2019
I could not have loved this book more than I did. It was presented in such a way that when I was finished, I felt I had full knowledge of what made Michelle tick (Carol R). It was like meeting a new friend and over time getting to know her through revelations of the stages of her life. It was easy and still thought-provoking (katherinep). I love Michelle Obama and I loved her book. She is a class act and it came through in her writing (djn). I found her memoir astounding. She writes with such honesty, passion, and love (barbarae). This is a fabulous, informative and uplifting book. I always had a good impression of Michelle Obama and this book enhanced it. I felt that Michelle really shared herself with her readers and offered an intimate look at her life (Lois I)...continued
Full Review
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(Reviewed by BookBrowse First Impression Reviewers).
Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming has been a huge success by all standards, and she joins a long and illustrious list of former First Ladies who have written memoirs. The appeal is obvious: who wouldn't want to know more about the women who've stood beside the President of the United States, acting as confidant, support system, and unofficial advisor? And in many cases, as with Mrs. Obama, First Ladies have been tremendously popular, bright, and accomplished in their own right. Since Betty Ford, each First Lady has written at least one memoir following her time in the White House, but the tradition goes back quite a bit further in history.
With the help of her son Frederick, Julia Grant, wife of Ulysses S. Grant, began penning her ...
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