Farewell Speeches

by Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

President Obama's Farewell Address (January 10, 2017) and Michelle Obama's Final Address (January 6, 2017).

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Political Science, Essays

72 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2017

About the author

Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, elected in November 2008 and holding office for two terms. He is the author of two previous New York Times bestselling books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, and the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle. They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Reviews

[Ammar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book contains the farewell speeches of both Barack and Michelle Obama as it was transcribed with remarks and laughter :)

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not getting teary-eyed in the library, *you're* getting teary-eyed in the library.

remember when our leaders weren't fucking idiots? :(

[Antje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wie gewohnt verabschiedeten sie sich eloquent, überzeugend, hoffnungsvoll, den kleinen Mann erreichend. - Ich vermisse dieses Präsidentenpaar, das wie kein anderes mit Authentizität, Professionalität, einem gebildeten Geist, Herz, Stil & Niveau, Toleranz und einer faszinierenden Wortgewandtheit das Weiße Haus beehrte.

Mit diesem Hintergrund ist es ein passendes Erinnerungsbuch für mich, obwohl es meines Erachtens noch nicht einmal ihre besten Reden enthält.

[Marcos Orowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it hard to understand many things in this book, but since I am not part of the idiosyncrasy of the country I think it must be cultural, even so.
It is a good book.

[nush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not even American but I miss the Obamas.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss the Obamas.

[Maed Between the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

While these speeches aren't among the best I've ever read, they're firm reminders of just how good both the Obamas are at inspiring others.

"Empower yourself with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise." - Michelle Obama

"It's the insistence that these rights, while self-evident, have never been self-executing; that We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union." - Barak Obama

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speeches as inspiring as the day they were given. How do I miss them.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply “... believe. Not in my ability to bring about change - but in yours.”
“Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can.”

Enough said.

[Huso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss the Obamas. They were the smartest and classiest couple to have lived in the WH.

[Brown Lennox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Obama's 💯
There has never been any better orator.

[Giulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il pericolo vero sta nella paura del cambiamento; nel timore verso persone che sembrano diverse, o parlano o pregano in modo diverso; nel disprezzo verso lo stato di diritto che obbliga i leader a render conto delle proprie scelte; nell'intolleranza verso il libero pensiero o il dissenso; nella convinzione che siano lame, pistole, bombe o propaganda a stabilire davvero cosa è giusto e cosa è sbagliato.

Cinque stelle piene per il contenuto, quattro per l'edizione.
Avrei preferito qualcosa in più, oltre ai due discorsi e all'introduzione, ma effettivamente questo ero lo scopo del libro.
Dare modo di conoscere, leggere e avere per sempre sottomano i discorsi di commiato di Michelle e Barack Obama, che insieme hanno formato un pezzo di storia.
Non voglio recensire il contenuto dei discorsi in sé. Trovo sufficiente dire che più persone, più giovani devono ispirarsi a "testi" di questo tipo.
Da leggere o da ascoltare (qui Obama e qui Michelle), insieme a "Dovremmo essere tutti femministi" di Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, questi devono girare nelle scuole.
Non per la politica, perché non è quello l'interesse ultimo, esattamente come detto da Obama, è inutile dividersi per questo. Il popolo è l'origine del cambiamento e i giovani sono il futuro del popolo. Sempre citando Obama, "per fortuna tra 10 anni il 60% della popolazione saranno i giovani", che in questo momento hanno in mani la speranza del futuro e la voglia di cambiare i soliti e, talvolta assurdi, tradizionalismi.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently received this little book as a gift - so appreciated in these troubling times of Trump. I didn't actually hear the Obama farewell speeches so it is nice to have them in print to visit and reflect on. Although I didn't agree on all the ways and means the Obama's used to forward their vision, I did trust them in more ways than not and greatly appreciate the view they have on their country given their history and ethnicity. I miss them and miss the statesmanship Barack Obama brought to his work. Reading Obama the farewell speeches is helping me believe that there is hope for the USA - once they get past Trump!

[Florin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very smart idea for a book, and the Obamas demonstrate in their last speeches as President and First Lady that they have plenty of what the political establishment at large is generally missing: class.
The book would have deserved a much better rating, were it not for the atrocious typography. Disappointing, given that usually Melville House pays a little bit more attention to such details.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I saw Barack Obama's farewell speech when broadcasted, I still enjoyed reading his speech and Michelle Obama's speech contained in this book. The words of hope and encouragement build us all up. While the discussion of challenges and obstacles is a reminder that democracy and the betterment of all people is a lifelong pursuit.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course looking back there's nostalgia in my eyes, but truly what remarkable people.

A great reminder from Former President Obama, "Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So, just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are."

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the final official speeches from Barack and Michelle Obama as president and first lady. They are inspiring, soaring, and hopeful. They are a powerful reminder of the American spirit and the idea that politics doesn't have to be a cess pool.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying! You're crying!

[Cristine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Obamas last words to all Americans who they served with such integrity. Miss them.

[Geoffrey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way we were. Hope is always the best option.

[Nora Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Obamas, Michelle and Barack, express and expand on their most inspirational themes and motifs.

[Jean Kojali · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this to remember what a president should sound like

(even tho i disagree with a number of Obama's policies...)

[Chels · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the last speeches give by then President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. I read them on New Years Eve of 2018, a day of looking forward and renewal. I did not here these speeches at the time they were given, but I certainly remember they were given during dark days for America. Delivered at the dawn of Trump's presidency, they were in many a ways a farewell to an era of rationality, civility and factualness with a dose of "don't give up!". Reading them in the midst of the trump era and on a day of hopefulness, made for a rather emotional read. My eyes stung with a lump in my throat as I heard the familiar comforting voices of Obama and Michelle, I could easily imagine being in the crowd listening intently, envisioning what was to come. These speeches, weren't the best I've ever heard, but they represent a time in American history I admired much, and reading them on this day inspired a restoration of hope. Happy New Year.

[HY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle — (applause) — Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side — (applause) — for the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. (Applause.) You took on a role you didn’t ask for and you made it your own, with grace and with grit and with style and good humor. (Applause.) You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. (Applause.) And the new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. (Applause.) So you have made me proud.

[Moe Jawich · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit, but to make people’s lives better.”

People who possess that grace and social finesse to not only lead but inspire people to change for the better will always continue to leave their imprint on me, and I believe that the existence of such brave characteristics is present within us all, we only need to know how to tap into it, and by-doing-so help the shifting of our scales into what’s best for our collective community.

After all, reality has a way of catching up with us all, hasn’t it?

[Ayu Ambarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful collection! 
Contains Obama's final collection of words as nation's leader, reminding Americans of the intelligence and moral courage they guided through two terms in the White House. In the end, Alert, But Not Afraid is only a reflection of what it means to be a civil servant, with the aim of serving the interests of the people.

[Federica Valente · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discorsi di commiato di Michelle e Barack Obama, con il tono che gli ha contraddistinti. I ringraziamenti a tutti coloro che, insieme a loro, hanno realizzato un'America più equa e attenta ai bisogni degli ultimi.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the e-book through my Library's Borrowbox App. The President Obama and First Lady Michelle’s Farewell Speeches are inspiring and hopeful. It was nice to re-visit during the current political climate.

[Jus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspirational Saturday morning read.
“If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.”
- Barack Obama, 2017.

[Ellie N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting to read Obama’s 2017 thoughts about the future and rise of fascism in America, as well as his predictions for how polarization along party lines might deepen. Unfortunately, a lot of what he warned of rings extremely true.