Renegades: Born in the USA

by Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen

Two longtime friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music, and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material.

Renegades: Born in the USA is a candid, revealing, and entertaining dialogue between President Barack Obama and legendary musician Bruce Springsteen that explores everything from their origin stories and career-defining moments to our country’s polarized politics and the growing distance between the American Dream and the American reality. Filled with full-color photographs and rare archival material, it is a compelling and beautifully illustrated portrait of two outsiders—one Black and one white—looking for a way to connect their unconventional searches for meaning, identity, and community with the American story itself. It includes:

• Original introductions by President Obama and Bruce Springsteen
• Exclusive new material from the Renegades podcast recording sessions
• Obama’s never-before-seen annotated speeches, including his “Remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches”
• Springsteen’s handwritten lyrics for songs spanning his 50-year-long career
• Rare and exclusive photographs from the authors’ personal archives
• Historical photographs and documents that provide rich visual context for their conversation

In a recording studio stocked with dozens of guitars, and on at least one Corvette ride, Obama and Springsteen discuss marriage and fatherhood, race and masculinity, the lure of the open road and the call back to home. They also compare notes on their favorite protest songs, the most inspiring American heroes of all time, and more. Along the way, they reveal their passion for—and the occasional toll of—telling a bigger, truer story about America throughout their careers, and explore how our fractured country might begin to find its way back toward unity and global leadership.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Politics, Biography, Memoir, History, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 2021

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm guessing the two reviews who gave 1 star did not bother to read the book and are of opposing political leanings.

[MicheleReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done. A lovely friendship. Enjoyed their stories and their way with words. The two have so much in common. Difficult relationships with their fathers. Strong mothers. Wonderful wives and children. Both men would have made excellent preachers and in a way that's what they are now.

Rated 4.25 stars.

[Brian Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb interchange of surprisingly confluent influences and life experiences.

The book is a "coffee table" type book of larger dimensions and ample illustrations and photographs. It is a transcript of the unexpected podcast between the former POTUS and the Boss. Stream it on Podify and read along!

It is expanded slightly and cleaned up syntactically for the sake of clarity, but the conversation is still an integral one. Yes, they talk about politics and the importance of music in American society. They also center whole broadcasts/chapters around the role of money in American society and the way forward in 2021. I was moved by their two discussions on their own distant fathers and the role of masculinity, sometimes toxic, in current society and very moved by how their own fatherhood transformed their lives. For two integral Americans who are "past their prime" but are looking back on the lessons learned and their ongoing importance, it is fascinating. It helps to be a fan of the duo of course.

You probably already know if you want to read this based on your view of the two authors, but it is a very rational, profound, and clear eyed view of America and roots without political obfuscation. What a delight and a treasured book release.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine two middle-aged dudes sitting down and talking to solve all the world's problems. This extended interview reminds me of that kind of situation. Springsteen is 1o years older than Obama. But they seem to connect and have become good friends. Their wives are also close friends. There are lots of photos, which on my primitive Kindle don't look all that clear. Both men reveal a lot about their different backstories, especially when growing up. Both remain optimistic and clear-eyes about where the USA is and where it will be going. Enjoyable and fast-paced. I've been a Springsteen fan from back when he appeared on the front cover of Newsweek and Time. Anyway, good stuff.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conversations between two men that I revere, what more could be said. Beautifully, generously photographed, they discuss the differences in their lives but their amazing friendship thanks to "similarities in the moral shape of our lives...". Fatherhood, respect for their partners who are partners in the very essence of the word, hopes and fears for the future. And one of the best lines to appear in print: "I think that one of the hardest things, whether it's as an adult in our own individual lives or as a nation, is figuring out it if is possible for you to see the wrong in people without negating everything about them."

[Sannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you terrible at listening podcasts like I am, but you also desperately wanted to know what Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen talked about in their podcast, Renegades: Born in the USA? Because if that describes you, then this book is just for you. But seriously, I suck at listening at podcasts. I can "listen" for 20 minutes, not absorb a single minute, and will have to go back and listen again. When Obama and Springsteen announced they were doing a podcast, I was hoping that they would release the transcripts so I could read it. Here's my wish come true.

I am assuming that Renegades: Born in the USA is one-to-one the podcast, just in written form, with the addition of annotated speeches, lyrics, and lots of photos both from personal archives and historical ones. I don't think it's truncated, but as I haven't heard the podcast, I can't really judge. However, the format is the conversation itself, which reads really quickly and easily. I really liked having the visuals in addition to the text as it added detail and made the conversation more vivid.

The content is organized based on topics: how they became friends, race in the US, American music, traveling and finding home, money and the American dream and self-worth, their relationships with their fathers and thoughts on masculinity, their own experiences with fatherhood, and what the future for the US looks like. Having read both Dreams from my Father from Obama and Born to Run from Springsteen, I was familiar with both of their stories and it was fascinating to see how they found commonality in their own life experience, despite being men of different generations, races, and growing up on complete opposite sides of the country. I especially enjoyed their talks on their relationships with their fathers and then their own experiences with fatherhood. Despite their status, their struggles are just like everyone else's.

The fact that they found things in common in their lives is obviously the point of this podcast and book. The idea that we are all Americans despite where we come from and who we are is the point that they are trying to drive home. And even over being American, we are all human. I love that these two men that I admire have this beautiful friendship, but knowing that their politics are closely aligned makes it a bit of a hard sell in these divided times. I understand why they wanted to do it, and I really enjoyed it, but I think if they had had these conversations with one or two other men whose politics don't align completely with their own, then it would've had more of an impact.

I think the best way to experience Renegades: Born in the USA would probably be to listen to the podcast while reading along and seeing the images at the same time. Alas, that would take a lot of time and I'm not sure I would do it, but nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading it.

[Boudewijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did listen to the podcast so I mainly used this book for the additionel pictures and backstory. Very interesting.

I have been a Springsteen fan since I first heard him back in 1984 and have visited multiple concerts. I don't think you can be a 'fan' for a political figure (you always have to remain critical) but I guess future historians will look back positively to Obama, especially compared to who succeeded him.

[Ashley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully done, coffee table style book that is a transcript of their podcast by the same name. This print version includes, annotated speeches, scans of the papers on which Bruce originally wrote some of his music, tons of personal photographs of the authors and visual aids that make the conversation more enjoyable. Well done.

[Cinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book based on the podcast Obama and Springsteen produced. Lots of graphics, photos, other imagery in addition to text that compares the journeys of two great influencers from vastly different backgrounds. Well worth reading.

[Ιωάννα Μπαμπέτα · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το παραδέχομαι πως είμαι ερωτευμένη με τον Bruce απ’ όταν πήγαινα Δημοτικό! Δεν υπήρχε περίπτωση να βγει βιβλίο του και να μην το πάρω. Δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση να κυκλοφορήσει τραγούδι του και να μην το ακούσω.
Το Αφεντικό δεν είναι απλά συνθέτης, στιχουργός, ερμηνευτής είναι και σπουδαίος αφηγητής. Μιλάει στην καρδιά μου.
Είναι μια πλούσια και προσεγμένη‘έκδοση με μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον. Δύο άνθρωποι τόσο διαφορετικοί αλλά τελικά και τόσο ίδιοι. Δεν χορταίνω να το ξεφυλλίζω.!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the summer of 2020, President Barack Obama and singer / songwriter Bruce Springsteen sat down and created a podcast where they discussed issues like fatherhood, democracy, growing up, etc. They then added to the podcast and came up with the book Renegades: Born in the USA which is filled with their discussions on these topics, fantastic photos of two of the coolest dudes in America and copies of song lyrics and speeches with hand written notes included.

It's interesting to see their thoughts, their interactions, their feelings about so many topics. In a time when the US is being split up and so much negativity and dissension fills the air and TV waves, it was nice to see hope about America's future. Two intelligent men who want the best for their country and for their families. So many interesting discussions under the headings - Our Unlikely Friendship, The American Story, Amazing Grace, American Skin, The Almighty Dollar, Wrestling with Ghosts, A Fearless Love and The Rising.

I enjoyed hearing about both of their childhoods, both with fathers with issues. Raised by strong women, married to strong women, helping them deal with their issues of what is masculinity, how to raise children. It was a pleasure to read this book. My one main point of disagreement is when President Obama talks about America's unique nature, a country of so many cultures... Look north, sir. What do you think Canada is? Anyway, a minor issue I guess, just a point that bothered me. All in all, a positive story that people should read. (4.5 stars)

[Jeremy Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unshakably beautiful portrait, of Springsteen and Obama, is one of the most visceral books I’ve ever taken time to read—or better yet, experience. Every crucial line of every crucial discussion is embroidered with photos that evoke an honest consideration of America, exhausting and hopeful in equal measure, over the past fifty years. When the title arrived on my doorstep, two days after its release, I hadn’t expected a textbook-sized mammoth that barely fits on a shelf. But I also hadn’t expected, upon opening to the first page and the first chapter, that I’d never want to put it down or walk away until it was finished, that I would feel as drawn to the conversation as I was to the photographs, like walking through an art gallery and actually understanding the stories behind every framed image in my line of sight. Four photos, within their written context, actually brought me near to the point of tears. The first was Obama at the stage singing Amazing Grace after the terrible violence at a church in South Carolina. The second was a photo of Bruce laying his head down in Patti’s lap, smiling and laughing at the comfort she provided his otherwise masculine image. The third was a photo of Obama playing UNO with his daughters, one of whom eyes him as if to suggest he might be cheating, which spoke to the miracle of two kids who loved and laughed with their father, even when he wasn’t around much in those early days of politics. But the fourth photo was more isolated, a photo that I stared at for several minutes, Obama standing with his head resting against a wall, eyes closed, alone and worn down. In the end, these are two men whose differing existence, from New Jersey to Hawaii, runs the gamut of what it is to be American, to hope and to hurt, to believe and to doubt. And their many-layered conversation, this book, deserves to be on every American shelf, even if it barely fits.

[Rebecca Rubenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two 5 star memoirs + 5 star podcast + never before seen photos = This 5 star coffee table book

[Petergiaquinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't listen to podcasts; I don't really understand their appeal. But then again, I don't understand why people play Candy Crush, watch The Bachelor, or wear Crocs, either. However, when I heard about Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama's Renegades: Born in the USA podcast project, I tuned in to listen while walking my dog over the course of a couple of weeks and enjoyed myself immensely.

After all, these two guys are just about the closest things I have to living heroes, I suppose you could say. [And I also suppose Neil Young and Dan Gable just might make that list, too, but those two guys probably wouldn't have a lot to say to each other if they tried something similar.] I've been listening to Springsteen since I was in fifth grade, going home alone at lunch to eat a sandwich and listen to some rock and roll before carefully tuning the radio back to my mother's gospel station and heading back to school. That was the Born to Run album year, and then it was Darkness, and by high school The River came out and I had thoroughly acquainted myself with those first two great albums by then, too. And here in Illinois, we love Obama, at least most of us do, and that includes me. If there is a better, more likable, more gracious man to work in the Oval Office before I die, I will be mightily surprised.

So in their eight-part podcast, Springsteen and Obama discussed many a topic in a back and forth informal manner. More than anything, it felt like a couple of pals kicking back and talking about subjects of interest, albeit two very thoughtful, quite well-spoken pals, with a lot to offer the listener. The two of them talked about their relationship with each other and their relationships with their fathers, wives and children. They share information about their childhoods, the music they listened to growing up, their heroes, and their ideas about American society, particularly issues relating to race and class, the American Dream [something these two in particular know something about], and where our country is going as we are dealing with fallout this year from the rise in American extremism, the January 6 insurrection, the killing of George Floyd, and the recent legislation in many U.S. states limiting the voting rights of many citizens.

And the book is all that as well, just in book form, the transcript of their eight conversations illustrated and supplemented with photos and primary documents from the lives of these two men. It's a high quality, beautifully produced book and definitely worth looking for. Among the many extras are texts of speeches by Obama, edited in his hand, and hand-written drafts of lyrics for a number of Springsteen's songs. And in particular among those speeches are a couple of brilliant ones, the moving speech he gives in 2015 in Charleston, SC, at the funeral for Reverend Clementa Pinckney who, along with eight members of his congregation, was murdered by a white supremacist in his church. That's the eulogy where Obama breaks into Amazing Grace, a moving moment he discusses with Springsteen. And there’s also the text of Obama’s eulogy for John Lewis here, too, a speech he gives right before flying to New Jersey where he meets Springsteen at his farm where they record the podcast.

Although I imagine there’s about 40% of the population who might disagree, Renegades is truly a brilliant book and something worth owning for fans of these two men. And for me, it's much better than the podcast, although I'm glad I listened. Obama's fluid voice is easy on the ear, and that's missing from the book, and Springsteen is easy to listen to as well, and from time to time he strummed some songs on the guitar, but Bruce also has a tendency to cackle way too much at Obama's jokes and that's not something I missed one bit in the book. And a book is forever, or close enough to forever, while a podcast just kind of fades away into the ether when it’s done and gone. By publishing this book, Springsteen and Obama's important conversations about America have been given a type of permanency for later generations of readers.

[Mohammed omran]

اوباما. افندي قاعد فاضي. وجاي يقرفنا بكتاب عن الاغاني اللي بيحبها هو وصاحبه
احنا مال اهالينا بالموضوع الشخصي
ياطرطور هيلاري كلينتون يا فاشل اوباما الطرطور بيفسر خطاباته كمان سؤال ياعم المفسر
اول مره اشوف واحد عنده جيش من الكتاب والصحفيين بيجهزوا عوائه اللي بيقوله وبعدها بسنوات يفسر اللي كان بيقوله للناس.
اول مره اشوف كتاب توك شو بيحكي في المحكي
من الاخر اوباما مزنوق في قرشين
الفقر وحش
لازم جود ريديز يعمل نجوم بالسالب

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is literally transcripts of the podcast so I would recommend you listen to the podcast as it's meant to be heard, not read. However what I did like about this book was the images and primary source documents embedded within the transcripts to show context.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nayeli - per RFS
.
PRESIDENTE OBAMA: Abbiamo anche bevuto qualche bicchiere. E a quel punto mi sono detto: «Be’, non è così timido come pensavo, deve solo sciogliersi un po’».
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Non so se mi spingerei a dire che vale per la maggior parte delle persone che fanno il mio lavoro, ma la timidezza non è insolita tra i musicisti. Chi non la prova, non cerca con tanta urgenza un modo di esprimersi. Il motivo per cui uno si dedica tanto ostinatamente al suo lavoro, cercando di definire un linguaggio e una voce propri, è che non ha ancora avuto una sua voce. E quando uno si rende conto di essere in un qualche senso privo di voce, avverte tutto il dolore di questa mancanza.

Si tratta di una pubblicazione piuttosto fuori dal comune, ottima anche come regalo (visto che si avvicina il Natale), destinata a chi è curioso di conoscere meglio Barack Obama e Bruce Springsteen o sia interessato a dibattiti sulla società moderna (non necessariamente americana) e sui grandi temi della vita, per mostrare il modo in cui queste tematiche hanno avuto impatto sulla loro vita fanno capolino molte note personali e curiosità familiari e intime dei due autori.

Indubbiamente si tratta di persone profonde e sensibili, che per il loro ruolo, l’età, per lo spessore culturale, valoriale e di esperienze, nonché le opportunità di contatto con una stratificazione notevole di persone, classi, generi hanno tanto da insegnare. Le tematiche vanno dalle più ludiche alle più sensibili, e la lettura mi ha lasciato diversi stimoli di riflessione interessanti.

" Ma come dici tu, finiamo per lottare contro i nostri fantasmi. Il trucco è che devi trasformare i tuoi fantasmi in antenati. I fantasmi ti perseguitano. Gli antenati camminano al tuo fianco, ti confortano e ti trasmettono quella che sarà la tua visione della vita. Ora mio padre cammina accanto a me come mio antenato. Ma c’è voluto molto tempo perché questo accadesse."

Il libro nasce come trascrizione di podcast pubblicati durante il lockdown ed è strutturato come un copione teatrale, con i dialoghi preceduti dal nome di chi parla. A causa della forma narrativa esclusivamente composta dal parlato si perdono alcune sfumature per capire il tono di voce o per cogliere qualche battuta o le risate conseguenti. Il vantaggio di questa formula è che ci permette di concentrarci solamente sulla sostanza, sui concetti, lasciando ampio spazio alle nostre riflessioni.

Anche se di regola leggo solo ebook, devo dire che stavolta ho trovato questa forma sufficiente ma un po’ limitata: la versione cartacea completa i racconti con elementi richiamati di volta in volta nella discussione, come pagine grafiche, testi musicali, riferimenti visivi e documentali tratti anche dalle collezioni private dei due autori.

Perché, vedi, contrariamente a quanto afferma la canzone di un grande maestro americano, in genere non siamo nati per correre. La maggior parte di noi è nata per correre un po’ e poi tornare a casa.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Esatto. Trovi la libertà all’interno di una vita fatta di limiti, qualcosa che non credevo possibile fino a quando non l’ho sperimentato su me stesso. Sono più libero ora di quanto pensassi di esserlo un tempo. Quando arrivi al punto in cui vuoi davvero trovare la tua libertà, devi trovare un posto dove restare e lasciare che i vincoli si formino e con il tempo si facciano più saldi.

La cosa che d’impulso mi ha spinta a leggere questo libro è stata la strana accoppiata tra due personaggi famosi apparentemente così lontani: un politico e un rocker così noti e così determinanti nel definire una nuova epoca nei loro rispettivi campi, che hanno lasciato un’impronta non solo sugli Stati Uniti ma su tutto il mondo occidentale, per non dire sul mondo intero.

Ho immaginato Barack Obama e Bruce Springsteen, che scopriamo essere grandi amici, in un ambiente intimo e familiare, come se fossero davanti al fuoco con un bourbon in mano, a chiacchierare del più e del meno, infilando temi talvolta più impegnati, e a raccontarsi spogliandosi di ogni filtro. I toni sono rilassati nonostante le tematiche appassionanti. Sembra di essere seduti accanto a loro, sedotti dalle abilità dialettiche di Obama e dai racconti di vita vissuta di Bruce, dalla loro capacità di inquadrare le problematiche col distacco e l’ampiezza di visione di chi ne ha già viste (ma soprattutto ascoltate) tante.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Giusto. Siamo stati travolti da un’ondata di informazioni che distorcono la nostra visione della vita, un’ondata che non accenna a ritirarsi. E non lo farà mai. Abbiamo bisogno di capacità interpretative che probabilmente non servivano alle generazioni che ci hanno preceduto. Siamo chiamati a prendere decisioni riguardo a ciò che conta davvero; ciò che è veramente, profondamente prezioso.
PRESIDENTE OBAMA: È proprio questo il punto: ci raccontiamo una storia collettiva che parla dei nostri valori. Come possiamo creare una nuova storia nella quale i valori di cui tu parli nelle tue canzoni e che io ho cercato di esprimere nella mia politica, i valori della famiglia – avere un codice che ci mostri come si vive una vita onesta, una vita generosa, una vita piena, e che tipo di amici siamo e che tipo di vicini siamo per gli altri – diventino ciò che ci definisce come persone nella società?
Non so come, ma credo che in un modo o nell’altro ci riusciremo. Ma sai cosa serve? I bardi e i poeti come te che ci aiutano a reimmetterci sul sentiero della giustizia e dell’amore. E quindi sono grato che tu ci sia, e so che anche molte altre persone lo sono. Devi solo continuare a fare musica, amico.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Anche a me piace sapere che ci sei.

Come emerge dalla chiacchierata (ma del resto, se ci pensiamo, trasudava già dai testi delle canzoni o da quelli degli interventi politici) entrambi gli uomini hanno potuto raggiungere l’enorme grado di successo grazie alla capacità di ascoltare e (re)interpretare desideri, aspirazioni, delusioni della società in cui sono nati, nelle mille sfaccettature che provano, in queste pagine, a raccontarci.

Nel loro diverso ambito d’azione, entrambi hanno cercato di avvicinare l’America reale a quella dei sogni; di leggere e poi lavorare, ognuno nel suo campo, sulla distanza tra realtà e desiderio. Per fare questo hanno dovuto mettere in campo una grande capacità di autocritica, di vedere quello che manca nella società moderna nonostante i proclami, ma allo stesso tempo hanno dovuto trovare anche una dimensione che andasse oltre la polemica, oltre la ribellione (Bruce era nato proprio su quest’onda) e fosse più costruttiva e propositiva (ricordiamo tutti Obama per il suo “Yes, we can!”).

È difficile capire come ricostruire quella consapevolezza di cui parlavi dell’esistenza di un legame collettivo. L’idea che non esistono né blu né rossi, né bianchi né neri, ma solo l’America. Com’è possibile ricrearla se si ha una cultura frammentata?

Quello che si arriva a comprendere da questa chiacchierata è che quando si parla di ideali, di valori, di porsi come obiettivo una comunità felice in cui tutti abbiano il proprio sostentamento e in cui nessuno sia lasciato indietro, non è molto diverso l’ambito in cui si opera, se come politico o come rocker: entrambi gli autori sono partiti esprimendo ciò che hanno vissuto, dando voce alle loro radici, per poi dare ascolto alla gente, un ascolto che si faceva sempre più ricco e multiforme via via che la loro popolarità li metteva in contatto con un pubblico sempre più vasto. La loro attenzione ha cercato di direzionarsi in modo da essere costruttiva, tutt’altro che popolare o populista, ma nella direzione di integrare le diversità, includente.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: La megalomania che ti porta a credere di avere una voce degna di essere ascoltata dal mondo intero. Al tempo stesso, tuttavia, occorre avere una straordinaria empatia per le altre persone.

PRESIDENTE OBAMA: Non è semplice riuscire a tenere insieme questi due tratti della personalità. È dall’ego che tutto comincia, ma poi, a un certo punto, ti ritrovi a essere un collettore delle speranze e dei sogni delle persone. Diventi semplicemente un canale di trasmissione.
Bruce ha qualche anno in più di Obama e ha vissuto delle battaglie diverse, ad esempio il grande movimento di opposizione alla guerra nel Vietnam, ma nei loro dialoghi ritroviamo molte altre tematiche che, per etnia, storia individuale, ceto sociale, localizzazione geografica, i due uomini hanno sperimentato e interpretato ognuno con proprie chiavi di lettura. Ad esempio la discriminazione (razziale o basata sul ceto sociale), il denaro, la religione o il patriottismo.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Accadde questo fatto e io cominciai a pensare: «Ok, la pelle. La pelle è il destino». Pensai quale privilegio enorme sia poter dimenticare di vivere in un determinato corpo. I bianchi possono farlo. I neri no.

Ma ci sono anche altri temi trasversali che vanno dal populismo (trumpismo) al concetto di virilità dell’uomo odierno (che fa da contraltare al femminismo), fino alla definizione di “successo personale” e di come questo concetto sia cambiato dagli anni ‘70 a oggi, affinandosi sempre più in una sfumatura individualista e competitiva.

Una discussione però che non è mai prettamente sociologica o idealistica, quanto calata sul loro vissuto personale e su ciò che hanno riscontrato nelle loro esperienze.

Sto pensando: «Ma perché è tanto difficile trattare questo tema? Perché sono… perché non riesco ad andare avanti?». Per parlare di razza, devi parlare delle differenze esistenti tra te e gli altri. Per parlare di razza bisogna essere disposti a parlare, in una certa misura, di decostruire il mito del melting pot, che in fondo non è mai stato qualcosa di reale.

Cosa posso dire in conclusione? È stata una lettura interessante, perché si parla della gente. È incentrato sugli Stati Uniti, ma sappiamo benissimo quanto la cultura americana abbia influenzato quella occidentale degli ultimi 50/70 anni (consumismo di massa, narcisismo, self made man, competizione). Parliamo quindi di una cultura globale che trascende i vari richiami patriottici, valoriali o anche solo musicali su cui si confrontano i due uomini.

Ha suscitato in me delle riflessioni sulla vita e sulla società, e ha solleticato la mia curiosità nell’approfondire le biografie delle due famiglie e la storia musicale di Bruce, per scoprire come un ragazzino orfano di padre che proveniva dalle Hawaii sia riuscito a scalare le vette della politica americana alimentando un coro di speranza e positività e come un rocker che faceva della protesta la sua bandiera sia diventato un padre di famiglia moderato, promotore di una società migliore.

Ma dopo quel momento di iniziale stupore è sempre il tramonto a contare e voi due che vi tenete per mano. Sono le risate delle bambine mentre si rincorrono sulla sabbia. Sono le piccole cose senza prezzo che non hanno niente a che fare con il posto in cui stai.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Sono questi gli elementi costitutivi della gioia.
PRESIDENTE OBAMA: È questo che ci rende completi. E penso che se lo comunichiamo attraverso la nostra politica, le nostre storie, le nostre canzoni, e ricordiamo a noi stessi che non dobbiamo perdere contatto con ciò che è importante, sarà possibile creare una coalizione per cambiare effettivamente le cose.

[Lampros Pappas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this as the "companion book" while listening to the podcast of the same title. Along with details of Obama's and Springsteen's lives, it provides some valuable commentary of the US political and social developments of the past 5-6 decades.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific conversation / interview between Obama and Springsteen, accompanied by rich photographs that show the history; I loved this one.

[Jon Zelazny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate everything these two icons have to say about the U.S.A. and their respective dual roles as inspirational public figures and middle-aged family men, but this isn't really a book you're supposed to sit down and read. It exists to be displayed, and casually browsed, either in your home, or upscale waiting room, and I feel guilty putting it back on the rock shelf next to Dave Marsh and Lester Bangs.

[Lisa Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was so much more than I expected, and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. We hear about their childhoods, transitions to adulthood, big events in their lives, the families, their thoughts on historical events, and so so much more. I loved that the format included interviews, original copies of speeches, lots of pictures, music lyrics, and more. Definitely check this one out!

[A.A. Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was predisposed to love this book because of the admiration I have for each of these men, but if you want to know why I admire them, read this book. It is a wonderful and important conversation about America, masculinity, family, art, politics, history, and genuine conversation in which each person a rurally listens to the other.

The extras are great as well. The family photos, hand-written Springsteen lyrics and annotated Obama speeches are worth reading on there own and elevate this package above that of a transcript of their podcast.

In the end, it’s two great men, with mutual respect for each other, from different backgrounds but with a common vision for and hope for America.

[Vasilis Kalandaridis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το έχω διαβάσει και στα ελληνικά και στα αγγλικά,έτσι για την καλύτερη απόλαυση.Δυο υπέροχοι τύποι μιλάνε γι τη ζωή τη μουσική,την πολιτική.Αριστούργημα,όπως και τα αντίστοιχα podcasts που προηγήθηκαν του βιβλίου.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favorite celebrities talk about life, family, the state of the country in an expanded version of last year's podcast. If I had a coffee table, I would put it there!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der eine ist ein Rockmusiker, der seit fast fünfzig Jahren erfolgreich ist. Der andere war der erste farbige Präsident der USA. Zwei Männer, die auf den ersten Blick nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten und trotzdem, oder vielleicht gerade deswegen sind sie Freunde.

In Renegades: Born in the USA sprechen Bruce Springsteen und Barrack Obama über ihr Leben. Über ihre Kindheit und Jugend, wie sie zur Musik und zur Politik gekommen sind und ihre große Liebe kennengelernt haben. Wie es ist, seinen Traum zu leben und welche Opfer man dafür bringen muss.

Ihr Gespräch ist sehr persönlich. Springsteen und Obama springen von Thema zu Thema. alles wirkt sehr locker, aber ich kann mir auch vorstellen, dass sie zumindest grob im Voraus wussten, worüber sie sprechen wollten. Einiges, was Bruce Springsteen erzählt, kannte ich bereits aus seiner Biografie. Trotzdem hatte ich in diesem Buch das Gefühl, als ob alles ein bisschen persönlicher sei. Deshalb ist wäre es interessant, auch die Biografie von Barrack Obama zu lesen und mit dem zu vergleichen, was ich in diesem Buch gelesen habe.

Jedes Kapitel hat ein eigenes Thema und in jedem Kapitel gibt es etwas Persönliches von den beiden Männern: einen handgeschriebenen Liedtext, eine Rede mit Änderungen, Bilder oder kleine Listen, die zum jeweiligen Kapitel passen. Dazu gibt es neben zahlreichen offiziellen Bildern auch viele private.

Es fällt mir schwer, den Inhalt zusammen zu fassen, ohne zu viel zu spoilern. Aber auch wenn man die Musik von Bruce Springsteen nicht mag oder kennt, kann ich das Gespräch dieser beiden interessanten Männer nur empfehlen.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5 stars.

The book is basically a printed version of the Spotify podcast with the same name. Therefore you can listen to the podcast and read the book at the same time. Where the podcast has the bonus of music snippets, the book has great extra's like behind-the-scenes photographs, lyrics, photos from the private lives of the authors and written notes (just to name a few).

What I particularly loved about the book (and the podcast) is how the authors discuss a great variety of topics that are often times difficult to talk about in a casual, laid-back manner without trying to cause a division or sensationalize their opinions. It feels almost entirely unfiltered, which is a welcome change to the stories we get fed by the media. They speak of personal experience, what is important to them and how they have navigated life in America up to now. This was a great read and would recommend.

[Patricia Francke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quelle est loin l'Amérique du rêve qui était dans la tête de tous les enfants français il y a quelques décennies de cela. Quelle est loin la vision que Barack Obama et Bruce Springsteen partagent. Une Amérique une où personne ne serait considéré en fonction de sa couleur de peau ou de son orientation sexuelle. Mais à la fin, il reste l'espoir.
Cet échange entre les deux hommes est structuré par thème, l'argent, l'histoire, l'amour... chacun racontant son parcours et sa vision. Les photos sont magnifiques, certaines rares et d'autres émouvantes, surprenantes, croquantes. Celle qui m'a le plus marquée c'est celle de Ruby Bridge, 6 ans, encadrée de grands costauds, qui l'accompagnement à l'école élémentaire dans le cadre de la politique de déségrégation.
Le livre est ponctué de textes de chanson, de discours des deux auteurs, mais pas que.

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievable collaboration between Two One-of-a-Kind Men ❣️A Perfect Read to accompany me into the New Year 🎇 2022 🐅 Year of The Tiger🐅 Even Knowing in advance that I'll love this book 💯 the reality of how much I'm so blown away & mesmerized by the authors ~ is still unreal.

My favorite part of the book is "IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE" SERIES, 2009-2015. The most memorable one is Bruce Springsteen's solo concert for the Staff the last month of President Obama's Presidency.

I will treasure this book of a casual yet brilliant conversation between a politician and a rock star who have reached the pinnacle of their vocation and profession. Whenever I feel helpless or hopeless I will reread certain quotes and lyrics to keep my optimism ~ hope ~ faith going.

These are some examples of what I'm talking about:

💎"What is it that is essentially American? What's uniquely American? And you and I—you through your music, me through my politics—part of what we've been trying to do is to define a vision of this country and our part in it, our place in it.

Do you remember a moment when you just thought, consciously, "I'm an American, and that is part of my identity?"

💎💎 "You know that flag flying over the courthouse
Means certain things are set in stone

Who we are, what we'll do and what we won't"
It's gonna be a long walk home

—BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN,
"LONG WALK HOME"

💎💎💎"We are one people . . . Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope? . . . I'm talking about . . . The hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta . . . Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! . . . A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead."

💎💎💎💎

❣️You gotta keep the lantern lit, my friend.

❣️Yes! Exactly.

❣️That's the bottom line.

❣️Right. That America is true and real and available to you. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but it's there.

After The Read:

Deepest gratitude to Cécile 💝, my friend here on GR, who has been a long time fan of The Boss, for alerting me of Springsteen's latest album LETTER TO YOU as well as its accompanying documentary. I bought the album ~ which is absolutely One of his Best! and enjoyed the documentary so much.

There was also an amazing movie Blinded by the Light (2019) about how The Boss's music & lyrics have touched and influenced his fans' lives.

Two of my friends will need a house warming gift soon ~ a hardcover edition of this book is perfect for them! I will definitely buy myself one, too!

[Abiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5+. Very quick and interesting read. Knew next to nothing about Springsteen (just one song) so learned a ton about him. Thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth dialogue between the two on so many different topics (e.g., career arcs, family, the history and future of the US). Very open and honest conversation with some great thought starters and takeaways.

Not great as a digital book - would recommend audio book or hard cover.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Conversations Between Friends

A transcript of Obama and Bruce's podcast, along with lyrics of Bruce's songs and Obama's speeches and eulogy of John Lewis. I enjoyed their discussions.