Renegade: The Making of a President

by Richard Wolffe

Book Overview

Before the White House and Air Force One, before the TV ads and the enormous rallies, there was the real Barack Obama: a man wrestling with the momentous decision to run for the presidency, feeling torn about leaving behind a young family, and figuring out how to win the biggest prize in politics. This book is the previously untold and epic story of how a political newcomer with no money and an alien name grew into the world's most powerful leader...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307463125
• ISBN13: 9780307463128
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Renegade: truth in advertising

This book promotes itself as the story of the "making of a President" and that's precisely what it is. It's not a blow-by-blow, primary-by-primary account of the two year campaign, but rather an examination of Barack Obama, the man and the candidate, during those two years. And Wolffe does a brilliant job of answering the question "who is Barack Obama?". Filled with erudite observations, keen reportage and amusing gossip, Renegade begs to be read in one big dollop, but it's long and detailed enough that you have the pleasure of reading it over the course of a few days. Highly recommended.

Man... I realize $2.88 is a lot of money in this economy, but come on...

Everyone is so upset about the Kindle price for this book and are giving it a one star review even though they say they will not buy the book, and therefore, I can only assume, have not read the book. J/C, get over it. Either pay the extra $2.88 and read the book, then review it. Or buy the hardcover, read the book, then review it. If you don't want to pay close to the hardcover price for the digital version, then just do what people have been doing for hundreds of years and buy the freaking book. I for one, finished the book yesterday and found it to be detailed insightful and full of good information.

21st Century Odyssey

In the days following the November elections, Newsweek ran an issue which told the behind the scenes story of Obama's two year long campaign that led to the historic victory full of details undisclosed to date. It was chock full of revealing bits and by far the most (or the only) consuming Newsweek issue that I had ever held in my hands. When I heard that Newsweek's Richard Wolffe, who partially penned that issue, and who was given extensive access to Obama (on his campaign plane, campaign bus, at a bar on the night he secured the nomination, backstage as he delivered his convention speech, and on and on...) had written an entire book on the topic, I was more than curious. Indeed, this rich, complex book has not failed to deliver. If you are interested in the fascinating details of a modern day political odyssey embarked on by an unlikely hero with a restless spirit and want to learn much about Obama (as well as about those around him like David Axelrod, Robert Gibbs, David Plouffe, Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama...) that is not covered in his own bestselling books, this fabulously written and hard to put down book won't disappoint. It is a joy to read this book and it is highly recommended.

A deep, complex, marvelously written, humorous and thought-provoking book.

Written with a reporter's keen eye for observation, a commentator's penchant for analysis, and the affinity and fondness for humor of an anchorman of late night shows, "Renegade: The Making of a President", a biographical book on President Obama, is a joy to read. Even though this book is based mostly on information gathered by the author during Mr. Obama's campaign for President, it reads like a biography of President Obama because the author has chosen to include a lot of biographical information also. Interspersed with humor and witty comments throughout the book, the book is a joy to read. For example, when Obama decides to offer the job of Secretary of State to Mrs. Clinton, one of Obama's senior aids says: "There was a lot of encouragement from inside the Senate to get her into this job. They wanted her out of there." Unlike several of his former colleagues in the senate, Obama holds no grudges and he tends to forgive people: "His staff opposed the idea for the most part, arguing that Clinton would never be truly loyal. But Obama was willing to leave the primaries behind, including his own strong feelings at the time. "I don't hold grudges," he told his aides. "I don't worry about the past. I'm concerned about what happens now. If she can help me and Bill Clinton isn't too much of a liability, we should seriously look at this." The word "Renegade" refers to the code word the Secret service used for candidate Obama. I have no doubt that the code has now been changed. Those who have read President Obama's two autobiographical books, "Dreams from my Father" and "The audacity of Hope" will get a deeper insight into the President's life, beliefs, philosophy and character. How his work as a community organizer has influenced his thoughts, ideals and beliefs is explained here very lucidly. "Renegade: The Making of a President" is a complex, marvelously written, deep, humorous and thought-provoking book.

PURE RENEGADE

I enjoyed reading very much! This book has great insight into the behind the scenes of the campaign. It is well written- Wolffe has the rare ability to make politics interesting for those not naturally drawn to it. His ability to articulate w/ passion & blend humor throughout is ideal! I trust his account, given the access he was allowed.