Every Book Obama Recommends

44th President of the United States, known for his historic election and leadership on healthcare, climate, and unity.

Why Obama

An exhaustive list of Books Obama Recommends.  Presented by the team at Hustler’s Library. But before we dive into the books, let’s learn a bit more about the influential leader himself. Barack Obama was born on August 4th, 1961, and served as the 44th President of the United States. 

What Obama Reads

Book Obama Recommends

In the Shadow of Statues

Mitch Landrieu – A story of the Mayor of New Orleans confronting racism by taking down confederate statues, and how white America should think about its past.

Book Obama Recommends

The New Geography of Jobs

John Doerr – a successful author and investor, shares a head-on plan to solve the problem of climate change. He was inspired by Al Gore and a talk with his daughter.

Speed & Scale

Speed & Scale

Discusses how successful companies can do everything “right” and still lose their market leadership.

Factfulness

Factfulness

Hans Rosling – A book about how things are actually better than you think. It was written by a Swedish doctor, professor, and statistician with his family in 2018.

Book Obama Recommends

Why Liberalism Failed

Patrick Deneen – A critical look at both forms of American liberalism. Both “classical liberalism,” and “progressive/ modern liberalism. A great read on the Book Obama Recommends list.

Book Obama Recommends

An American Marriage

Tayari Jones – A stirring and truly American story of love, relationships and misfortunes in the new American south.

Truth Decay

Truth Decay

Jennifer Kavanagh & Michael D. Rich – A look at the history of truth and the media in the United States. What is driving the headlines in today’s society?

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

The Moment of Lift

Melinda Gates – Direct lines are drawn between investment in a society’s women, & the exponential growth that comes with it!

Book Obama Recommends

Educated

Tara Westover – A memoir accounting her overcoming a survivalist Mormon family in order to go to college, and emphasizes the importance of education in enlarging her world. A book full of mixed emotions, a amazing read on the Book Obama Recommends list!

A House for Mr Biswas

A House for Mr Biswas

V. S. Naipaul – A novel outlining the struggles life provides in adulthood, and highlights the value of persistence as a virtue. Nobel Literature Prize Nominee.

Book Obama Recommends

Warlight

Michael Ondaatje – A novel taking place in London during World War II. A 14-year-old Nathaniel and his sister Rachel are left in the care of an mysterious character “The Moth” after their parents moved to Singapore

The Word Collector

The Word Collector

Peter H. Reynolds – An inspiring tale about the transformative and inspiring power of words.Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coins. Jerome collected words.

Books by Obama

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A Promised Land

A Promised Land is Barack Obama’s deeply personal memoir, chronicling his early political journey through his historic first term as President. With honesty and reflection, he shares the challenges of leadership, the weight of decision-making, and his enduring hope for American democracy.

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Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Dreams from My Father is Barack Obama’s introspective memoir tracing his early life, identity, and family roots. Written before his presidency, it explores race, heritage, and belonging through a powerful personal lens.

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