Barack Obama's Book Recommendations
Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. As the first African American president, Obama’s leadership marked a historic moment in American history. His administration focused on healthcare reform, economic recovery from the Great Recession, and environmental policies. He is best known for the Affordable Care Act, as well as his efforts to expand civil rights and restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. Since leaving office, Obama has continued to engage in public life through his foundation, focusing on leadership development, civic engagement, and global issues.
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Books in the Collection
Evicted
Matthew Desmond
Educated
Tara Westover
Song of Solomon
Toni Morrison
Exhalation
Ted Chiang
Life 3.0
Max Tegmark
An American Marriage (Oprah's Book Club)
Tayari Jones
Trick Mirror
Jia Tolentino
Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela
A Gentleman in Moscow
Amor Towles
Moby-Dick
Herman Melville
The Shallows
Nicholas Carr
The Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu
Normal People
Sally Rooney
The Moment of Lift
Melinda Gates
Seveneves
Neal Stephenson
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
The Underground Railroad (Pulitzer Prize Winner) (National Book Award Winner) (Oprah's Book Club)
Colson Whitehead
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Shoshana Zuboff
The Power
Naomi Alderman
The Sixth Man
Andre Iguodala, Carvell Wallace
Lab Girl
Hope Jahren
The Lowland
Jhumpa Lahiri
The Sixth Extinction
Elizabeth Kolbert
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
Jeanne Theoharis
The World as It Is
Ben Rhodes
The Warmth of Other Suns
Isabel Wilkerson
Finding My Voice
Valerie Jarrett
Men Without Women
Haruki Murakami
The Return (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
Hisham Matar
The Ministry for the Future
Kim Stanley Robinson
Futureface
Alex Wagner
Four Great Tragedies
William Shakespeare
Warlight
Michael Ondaatje
Washington
Ron Chernow
Five-Carat Soul
James McBride
Florida
Lauren Groff
Washington Black
Esi Edugyan
The Education of an Idealist
Samantha Power
Frederick Douglass
David W. Blight
A Grain of Wheat
Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Jesmyn Ward
Dying
Cory Taylor
Feel Free
Zadie Smith
Inland
Téa Obreht
Grant
Ron Chernow
Immigrant, Montana
Amitava Kumar
Coach Wooden and Me
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Shadow of Sirius
William Stanley Merwin
Solitary
Albert Woodfox
Trust Exercise
Susan Choi
American Prison
Shane Bauer
Furious Hours
Casey Cep
The Orphan Master's Son
Adam Johnson
Girl, Woman, Other
Bernardine Evaristo
Lost Children Archive
Valeria Luiselli
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
David Treuer
Into The Fire
Dakota Meyer, Bing West
Asymmetry
Lisa Halliday
Gilead
Marilynne Robinson
The Nickel Boys (Winner 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
Colson Whitehead
Barbarian Days
William Finnegan
Maid
Stephanie Land
The New Geography of Jobs
Enrico Moretti
In the Shadow of Statues
Mitch Landrieu
The Yellow House
Sarah M. Broom
We Live in Water
Jess Walter
A House for Mr. Biswas
V. S. Naipaul
How to Read the Air
Dinaw Mengestu
There There
Tommy Orange
Lot
Bryan Washington
The Source of Self-Regard
Toni Morrison
How to Do Nothing
Jenny Odell
Anything Is Possible
Elizabeth Strout
Janesville
Amy Goldstein
Truth Decay
Kavanagh, Michael D. Rich
The Broken Ladder
Keith Payne
Why Liberalism Failed
Patrick J. Deneen
The Topeka School
Ben Lerner
Say Nothing
Patrick Radden Keefe
American Spy
Lauren Wilkinson
The Anarchy
William Dalrymple
Basketball (and Other Things)
Shea Serrano
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Factfulness
Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Becoming
Michelle Obama
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe
Exit West
Mohsin Hamid
Parting the Waters
Taylor Branch
Heartland
Sarah Smarsh
Tough Love
Susan Rice
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Cal Fussman's Book Recommendations
Cal Fussman is a journalist, author, and podcast host known for his long-form interviews with world leaders, celebrities, and business icons. Fussman gained prominence through his work at Esquire magazine, where he wrote the “What I’ve Learned” column, capturing the wisdom and life lessons of influential people. He is also the host of Big Questions, a podcast where he engages guests in deep, thoughtful conversations about life and success. Fussman’s interview style is marked by his curiosity and ability to draw out meaningful insights from his subjects. His work has earned him a reputation as one of the best interviewers of his generation.
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Brandon Stanton's Book Recommendations
Brandon Stanton is an American photographer and author, best known for creating Humans of New York, a photography project that shares the personal stories of everyday people. Through his portraits and interviews, Stanton captures the diverse experiences of people in New York City and around the world, offering intimate insights into their lives. Humans of New York has become a global phenomenon, with millions of followers on social media and several best-selling books. Stanton’s work has expanded beyond photography to include fundraising campaigns that have raised millions of dollars for individuals and charitable causes. His ability to connect with people and share their stories has made him one of the most impactful storytellers of his generation.
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Alicia Keys's Book Recommendations
Alicia Keys, an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist, has made significant contributions to the music industry with her soulful voice and compelling lyrics. She burst onto the scene with her debut album, "Songs in A Minor," which earned her five Grammy Awards. In addition to her musical achievements, Keys is also a celebrated author; her memoir "More Myself: A Journey" provides an intimate look at her life and career. She has used her platform to advocate for social justice, co-founding the Keep a Child Alive organization to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. Alicia Keys continues to inspire through her artistry and activism, leaving a lasting impact on both music and literature.
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Audrey Gelman's Book Recommendations
Audrey Gelman is an American entrepreneur and writer, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of The Wing, a network of co-working spaces and social clubs designed for women. She has been recognized for her innovative approach to creating supportive environments for professional women, significantly impacting feminist discourse and workplace equality. Gelman has also contributed thought-provoking essays to prominent publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, where she discusses gender, politics, and culture. Her leadership at The Wing has been celebrated for fostering community and collaboration among women. Additionally, Gelman's influence extends to the political sphere, having previously worked as a press aide on several high-profile campaigns.
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Anderson Cooper's Book Recommendations
Anderson Cooper is an esteemed American journalist and television personality, best known for anchoring "Anderson Cooper 360°" on CNN. He has gained widespread recognition for his incisive reporting on major global events, earning multiple Emmy Awards for his work. Cooper is also an accomplished author, having penned the best-selling memoir "Dispatches from the Edge," which chronicles his experiences covering some of the world's most perilous conflicts and disasters. His literary contributions extend to "The Rainbow Comes and Goes," a poignant dialogue with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, that explores themes of family and resilience. Through his work in both journalism and literature, Cooper has made a significant impact on contemporary media and storytelling.
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Joe Biden's Book Recommendations
Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States, having previously served as Vice President from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. A prominent figure in American politics, Biden's significant legislative achievements include the Violence Against Women Act and the Affordable Care Act. In literature, he is known for his memoir "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics," which offers an intimate look into his personal and professional journey. His later work, "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose," chronicles the emotional period surrounding the illness and death of his son, Beau Biden. These writings have contributed to public understanding of resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.
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Alfred Lin's Book Recommendations
Alfred Lin is a venture capitalist and partner at Sequoia Capital, where he focuses on investments in consumer internet, enterprise, and mobile companies. Lin is known for his early investments in companies like Airbnb and DoorDash, helping them grow into major global brands. Before joining Sequoia, Lin was an executive at Zappos, where he worked closely with CEO Tony Hsieh to develop the company’s innovative culture and customer service model. Lin’s expertise in scaling businesses and his strategic vision have made him one of the most respected venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.
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Walter Isaacson's Book Recommendations
Walter Isaacson is a renowned American author, journalist, and professor, best known for his detailed biographies of influential figures. He has penned bestselling biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo da Vinci, each acclaimed for their thorough research and engaging storytelling. Isaacson served as the CEO of the Aspen Institute, chairman of CNN, and editor of Time magazine, significantly impacting both media and educational spheres. His works often explore the intersection of genius, innovation, and human nature. Isaacson's ability to distill complex lives into compelling narratives has cemented his reputation as one of the foremost biographers of our time.
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Ben Affleck's Book Recommendations
Ben Affleck is an acclaimed American actor, director, and screenwriter, noted for his significant contributions to film and literature. He achieved early acclaim with his co-writing and starring role in "Good Will Hunting" (1997), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay alongside Matt Damon. Affleck further showcased his directorial prowess with the critically acclaimed film "Argo" (2012), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. His work often explores complex characters and social issues, making a substantial impact on contemporary storytelling. Additionally, Affleck has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, using his platform to support numerous charitable causes.
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James Mattis's Book Recommendations
James Mattis is a retired United States Marine Corps general and former Secretary of Defense, serving under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. Mattis is known for his military leadership during the Iraq War and his command of U.S. Central Command, where he oversaw operations in the Middle East. He is widely respected for his intellectual rigor, strategic thinking, and emphasis on military ethics. After retiring from the military, Mattis has written books, including Call Sign Chaos, reflecting on his leadership experiences. His career has made him a highly regarded figure in both military and civilian leadership circles.
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