A Promised LandA Promised Land
Score Modern
What it's about
In the first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his political rise, from his early days as a community organizer and state senator to his 2008 campaign. Most of the book covers his first term: the financial crisis, the fight to pass the Affordable Care Act, the Arab Spring, and finally the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011. Throughout, he reflects on the toll of the job on his family and himself.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and sold millions of copies in its first months. It's a thoughtful, detailed look at the presidency from the inside.
You'll love it if you liked
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Becoming
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham LincolnGood to know
It's long and detailed on policy. It stops in 2011, with a second volume planned. The audiobook, read by Obama himself, is popular.
By the numbers
- Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #5 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #34 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #90 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #162 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
More by Barack Obama
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American DreamIf you like this, read next
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
How to Be an Antiracist
Alexander Hamilton
Grant
Red Notice
Beastie Boys BookExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is A Promised Land worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and sold millions of copies in its first months. It ranks #162 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 84.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Promised Land about?
In the first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his political rise, from his early days as a community organizer and state senator to his 2008 campaign. Most of the book covers his first term: the financial crisis, the fight to pass the Affordable Care Act, the Arab Spring, and finally the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011. Throughout, he reflects on the toll of the job on his family and himself.
How long does it take to read A Promised Land?
About 19 hours (768 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after A Promised Land?
If you liked it, try Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, Becoming by Michelle Obama or Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin.