Making History: The Life of Barack Obama

*Includes Obama's 2008 and 2012 political platforms.

*Includes pictures of Obama and important people, places, and events in his life.

*Includes an Online Bibliography for further reading.

*Includes a Table of Contents. 


"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.” – Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address


On November 4, 2008, 47 year old Barack Obama walked onto the stage in Grant Park to deliver an Election Night speech less than an hour after he had been officially declared President-Elect of the United States. As he came out to an audience numbering in the hundreds of thousands, with millions more watching on television, the first African-American elected president in the nation’s history told Americans, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”


Although it was a reference to his historic election, the quote applied equally to the very unique path Obama took in life to reach that moment. Though he was still young by presidential standards, the bi-racial native of Hawaii had already traveled a great distance physically and spiritually, learning about himself and discovering his self-identity along the way. After receiving a blue chip education that took him to Harvard Law School and helped him become a law professor and community organizer in Chicago, he began a rapid ascent through state politics to become a U.S. Senator in 2004. 


To a degree, Obama’s election in November 2008 was anti-climactic compared to the incredibly close victory he had over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. With 18.2 million votes total, Hillary Clinton had won more votes than any other candidate in the history of the presidential primaries, but it was Obama who won more delegates to become the first African-American nominated by either party. A few months later, he made more history by becoming the first African-American elected president.


Obama ran one of the greatest presidential campaigns in history, and he was helped by the fact that the Republicans were unpopular at the tail end of the Bush Administration. Since taking the presidency, he has faced a handful of thorny issues, particularly a poor economic recovery, that has left his approval rating south of 50%, and he is locked in a reelection campaign that looks to be extremely tight entering the final few months.


Making History: The Life of Barack Obama chronicles the amazing life story and Obama’s path to the presidency from his unique roots to his unique victory, but it also looks at his first term and looks forward to the 2012 Election. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about Obama like you never have before, in no time at all.