One Sentence Summary
Pete Souza’s Obama: An Intimate Portrait is an expansive collection of photographs and stories telling the Obama presidency through a personal lens.
Book Genre
This book is a biography, nonfiction and photography book.
Main Topic of the Book
Obama: An Intimate Portrait by renowned official White House photographer Pete Souza provides a comprehensive account of the Obama presidency—capturing both grand and intimate moments.
Key Ideas
- This book tells the story of the Obama presidency through Souza’s photography and personal anecdotes.
- The book conveys emotion through pictures as well as stories about important moments, such as Barack Obama’s inaugural speech, which Souza was behind the camera lens to witness.
- It documents the former president’s relationships with world leaders as well as his interactions with everyday Americans.
- Barack Obama’s legacy in the form of historic policy initiatives and moments in international relations are exhibited through photos and stories.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part I: A journey with the President – This part chronicles Barack Obama’s time in office through Souza’s lens, beginning with the 2009 inauguration and culminating with his final days as President. It captures genuine and powerful moments such as the President’s visit to a school after a mass shooting, as well as iconic moments such as his 2015 speech at Selma commemorating 50 years since the march from Selma to Montgomery.
- Part II: The People’s President – This part focuses on the President’s interactions with everyday Americans, featuring trademark Souza moments such as “The First Kiss” as Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama share their excitement over their election victory.
- Part III: Foreign Affairs – This part showcases the President and First Lady’s interactions with international leaders during their trips abroad. It captures candid moments such as the First Couple’s dancing with locals in Latin America, to formal events such as the 2010 state dinner with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
- Part IV: A Year in Review – This part features a chronological overview of the Obama Presidency, with anecdotes and photos from each of their eight years in the White House.
Key Takeaways
- Pete Souza’s Obama: An Intimate Portrait is an expansive collection of photographs and stories that chronicles Barack Obama’s time as President
- It conveys the emotion and humanity of political moments with powerful images and reflections
- It documents the former president’s relationships with world leaders as well as his interactions with everyday Americans
- The book celebrates the legacy of the Obama presidency, which features historic policy initiatives and moments in international relations
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Pete Souza is a renowned photographer and author. As an official White House photographer, he documented the Obama presidency, capturing iconic moments such as the President’s first term and his historic interactions with world leaders. He has received distinguished honors such as the Robert Capa Gold Medal Award and the National Press Photographers Association’s (NPPA) Lifetime Communication Award.
Target Audience
The target audience for this book is primarilyDemocrats and liberals given its focus on the Obama presidency. However, readers of all political affiliations can relate to the powerful images and stories of humanity that Souza captures.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The book was first published in Hardcover format on November 7, 2017 by Little, Brown and Company.