Barack before Obama

The book “Barack Before Obama” is an appealing pictorial biography of the pre-presidential Barack Obama. In early 2004, the author joined Obama’s senatorial campaign and photographed him at length. His photographic collection shows the trajectory of Obama from state politician to leader of the free world. The photos are all high quality and cover a vast range of moments, from Obama getting his haircut by his longtime barber near Hyde Park to the presidential hopeful in tears when he learned, two days before the 2008 election that the grandmother who raised him had just died. Throughout it narrative the book emphasises the many small moments in Obama’s life when his political career was just gaining traction. Obama’s campaign began with only 10 staffers and the author worked without pay. The author spent 10 months driving the candidate around the state before becoming his personal aide. Alongside the photos, the author offers illuminating commentary—on the role of the Secret Service, Michelle’s take, the Al Smith dinner, a rally with Bruce Springsteen—and it is interesting to consider how the author designed the layout. He made the wise choice to group together many shots setting Stevie Wonder and Robin Williams, Oprah Winfrey, George Soros, Nelson Mandela, the Bidens, and Leonardo DiCaprio, among many others. Along the way, readers learn how politicians rise as they connect with celebrities and funders and the narrative is packed with entertaining vignettes. The book also features a foreword by Obama himself. The book is a brilliantly photographed tribute to the rise of the 44th president. TW