Barack Obama

The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama by David Remnick

Tier 2

I was eighteen in 2008. My formative political years were spent watching Jon Stewart eviscerate the Bush administration and politicians in general. I was, as so many in my generation, raised to be a political cynic. There was no one and nowhere to put your faith during those dark years.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, there was Obama. He was young, handsome, black. He was funny and liked basketball, and when he spoke, a chill ran down my spine. It must’ve been how people felt when they first saw Kennedy, but even more. Obama represented so much to me and my generation.

Hope and change.

That was what he ran on. It was that simple. He represented everything that Bush wasn’t.

I’ll never forget voting for him and how it felt that election night when he won. It was the same feeling I had when I attended his inauguration. There was a buzz in that audience. We all felt the same thing. The joy. The belief. The feeling that things were going to change. That things could change. It’s a feeling I’ve never forgotten and one I’m glad to have enjoyed once in my life.

And then reality set in. As Otto von Bismarck once said, “Politics is the art of the possible.” Obama was all possibility when he stepped forth and walked down that long road toward his future.

He managed some of it. He was a good president, and history will tell us just how good. It’s a strange thing about presidential politics—you often don’t have a full read on their legacy until you get twenty or thirty years out. Obama will likely be remembered fondly because he will be compared to his predecessor and successor. He will also get additional praise for how people felt about him. Those early days of hope and change and potential will always be there.

Remnick begins The Bridge by taking readers on a journey through Obama's formative years, exploring his multicultural upbringing and the impact it had on shaping his worldview. From his childhood in Hawaii to his experiences as a community organizer in Chicago, the book sheds light on the diverse influences that molded Obama's character and ideals. Remnick skillfully connects these early experiences to the broader themes that would later define Obama's political career.

A central theme in The Bridge is the exploration of race and identity in Obama's life. Remnick navigates the complexities of Obama's biracial heritage and the challenges he faced in reconciling his roots. The book captures Obama's struggle with questions of identity and belonging, offering readers a nuanced understanding of how these personal battles fueled his commitment to fostering a more inclusive and united America.

As the book progresses, Remnick meticulously details Obama's political rise, from his early days in the Illinois State Senate to his historic election to the U.S. Senate and, ultimately, the presidency. It’s an unlikely climb, and while you’re reading the book, there are moments when you’re sure he won’t make it. You know he will, but even knowing that, it still seems impossible. Remnick provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs that marked Obama's journey to the White House, punctuated by his iconic speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

The Bridge skillfully examines Obama's political philosophy, shedding light on his pragmatic approach to governance and ability to navigate the complex terrain of American politics. Remnick captures the essence of Obama's charisma and eloquence, qualities crucial in his ability to inspire a diverse coalition of supporters. His instincts as a politician are evident early on, as is his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He made it look easy, so much so that all politicians now seem to live in his shadow. It isn’t easy. It’s a skill that few possess.

No political figure is without controversy, and The Bridge doesn't shy away from addressing the criticisms and challenges Obama faced during his presidency. Remnick examines the complexities of Obama's foreign policy decisions, the struggles with healthcare reform, and the constant political battles that defined his tenure. It’s easy to blame these setbacks and failures on his opposition, whose stated aim was to make him a one-term president (how’d that work out?). They didn’t act in good faith, and the rhetoric they used to attack him was horrific and, more often than not, racially motivated. But that alone does not excuse his failings. He admits that he could’ve (and should’ve) done a better job of working to help lower-level Democratic politicians in order to have a more substantial base to push through legislation. By presenting a balanced portrayal, Remnick offers readers a nuanced understanding of both Obama's successes and shortcomings.

Beyond the political arena, the book delves into Obama's personal relationships, providing insight into his marriage with Michelle Obama and the challenges they faced as a couple navigating the demands of public life. Remnick explores the role of Michelle as a confidante and advisor, highlighting the integral part she played in Obama's political journey.

As Obama's presidency comes to a close in the book, Remnick reflects on the lasting legacy of the 44th President. The book discusses the significance of Obama's election as a milestone in American history, breaking racial barriers and inspiring a new generation of leaders. Remnick assesses the impact of Obama's policies and his lasting imprint on the nation's political landscape.

And this legacy is complicated. Donald Trump would never have been elected if it weren’t for Obama. Obviously, that is not Obama’s fault, but it is the truth. For all the hope and change that we brought into the beginning of Obama’s presidency, we came out of it with little of that belief left. The racial divide in our nation wasn’t washed out by our first Black president but was instead laid bare. The hate that simmered during his eight years in office exploded in 2016. I don’t believe it’s fair to blame Obama for this, but discussing his legacy without including these aspects is impossible.

In The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama, David Remnick masterfully weaves a tapestry of biography, politics, and history. The book transcends the traditional boundaries of political literature, offering readers a captivating and deeply insightful portrait of one of the most consequential figures in American history. Through meticulous research, nuanced storytelling, and a keen understanding of the complexities of Obama's life, Remnick has created an excellent book that not only chronicles the journey of a man but also provides a profound exploration of the American experience. Whether one is a political enthusiast or a casual reader, The Bridge is an essential and engaging account of Barack Obama's life and legacy.

We’ll need some more distance to judge his legacy properly, but I think it’ll be a good one, and this is a solid book on understanding his presidency. I wanted more from his post-presidency, but the book came out in 2010, so I can’t fault him for that. Overall, it’s a very good book written by an excellent writer.

As for me, I think back on Obama’s presidency with mixed emotions. I’ll always remember how the beginning made me feel, but by the end, my inherent cynicism had returned stronger than before. I chose to hold onto the good and not get bogged down in the horrible rhetoric and brutal aftermath that came to define his presidency. And ultimately, I think most of us would take him back now if we could. He wasn’t perfect, and his presidency had many failures, but on balance, he was a good man and a good president. I hope we see his like again and that history will be kind to him. I think it will.