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Chapter Overview
Chapter 1: Obama differed from other presidential hopefuls, pledging change and a fresh approach for America.
Chapter 2: Obama's worldview sparked friction domestically, even within his own administration too.
Chapter 3: Early in his presidency, Obama worked deliberately to speak more directly to the Muslim world community.
Chapter 4: For Obama and his youthful advisers, the Arab Spring offered a chance to be a force for good in the world.
Chapter 5: Obama fulfilled one of his earliest foreign policy commitments.
Chapter 6: Normalizing ties with Cuba was, for once, a chance for the author and Obama to act proactively, not reactively.
Chapter 7: Race was a constant presence in the Obama White House, yet not an easy subject for Obama to confront publicly.
Chapter 8: Obama refrained from military action in Syria, despite his 'red lines' set on chemical weapons use there.
Chapter 9: Obama pushed the Iran deal through despite fierce opposition.
Chapter 10: Obama's administration was losing the battle in the information wars overall.
Chapter 11: Obama and the author were shocked by Donald Trump's victory.
Description
The World as It Is (2018) is a deeply personal look at the Obama presidency, written by a man who not only worked closely with the forty-fourth president, but also became his friend. Taking us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Obama’s presidency, from his first campaign to Trump’s inauguration, these blinks also chronicle the author’s personal journey from fresh-faced staffer to hardened national security operator.
Who Should Listen
- History and politics buffs
- Anyone interested in an inside look at the highest levels of government
- People who want a better understanding of the state of US politics today