Becoming
Editor's Note
Grammy nominee…
This memoir from the most admired woman in America is touching, surprisingly intimate, and empowering. It’s a beguiling portrait of a uniquely American story: from an upbringing on Chicago’s Southside to life in the White House, she seems to have lived the epitome of the American Dream. But as she reveals, it hasn’t always been a fairytale. This audiobook version, read by Obama herself, is nominated for the Best Spoken Word Grammy.
Description
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.
Reviews
What people think about Becoming
4.6Reader reviews
- (5/5)There's not a lot I can say about this book that hasn't already been said. Michelle is very articulate and inspiring, and although I didn't do this one on audio (I would've liked to), I could easily hear her voice in my head as I was reading. I'm ashamed to admit that I really didn't know much at all about Michelle prior to reading this. Though she's always presented herself as very polished, yet down-to-earth and very personable, I had virtually no knowledge of her personal background or education. This was an easy-to-read, though very well-written, memoir. I really miss the Obama presence in the White House.
- (4/5)The real Michelle Obama.I started this a while ago, but then I seemed to just grind to a halt. I didn't stop for any particular reason; the book group I was reading it for had passed and I suppose other things got in its way. So, now I've picked it up and completed it - I didn't want it to go the same way as her husband's book, Dreams From My Father, which also sits half-read on my shelf. I'm not a follower of politics and this would never have been a book I would have chosen, but I'm glad I've read it. Actually, I listened to the author narrating herself, which added another dimension; I just wished I could have sped her up a bit.I have a lot of respect for the Obamas, totally apart from US politics. I think they were motivated to do good and genuinely help people, a rare enough characteristic for politicians these days.It was interesting to learn about Michelle's childhood; her piano lessons on a cronky old instrument and her family relationships. She was motivated to work hard throughout her life, but always put the greater good above her own ambitions. I can see how she would have found her soul-mate in Barak Obama.The insider view of life in The White House was fascinating: the vegetable garden that Michelle instigated and then shared with local school children, the constant bodyguards who flanked her and her daughters wherever they went, and the sudden transition once she leaves, and suddenly finds herself with her own kitchen and no staff...silence.This was a fascinating book and well deserving of the accolades it has received.
- (5/5)Rated: AAs I was reading "Becoming", I became more and more impressed with the life story of Michelle Obama. In her own right, she grew up on the south-side of Chicago, attended Princeton as an undergraduate and Harvard for her law degree. She worked professionally in a prestigious Chicago law firm before sensing that she needed to serve people more than herself. She was a great mom raising two daughters while her husband was often absent with political commitments. Her White House years were dedicated to having her own voice heard through various initiatives. I really respect this black women who patiently pushes the cause of equality and justice forward for all.
- (5/5)Fascinating! She is like me! But she has about a decade on me. So uncanny, that this woman who was the First Lady had experienced life as I had. Simply put?! I could be a First Lady. :)
- (5/5)I mean, five stars. Obviously.
- (5/5)Wow - what a story. It started off a bit slow, but as the book went on I realized how important it was that Michelle had laid the groundwork of her story by describing so much of her childhood. So inspiring in so many ways. In these dark, dark days it gives me hope and the strength to keep fighting for what is right and just.