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President Barack Obama: The Kindle Singles Interview (Kindle Single) Kindle Edition

4.0 out of 5 stars 3,733 ratings

In this Kindle Singles Interview, President Barack Obama decried the "change in culture" that has changed our view of the American Dream. "There was not that window into the lifestyles of the rich and famous," the President said. "Kids weren’t monitoring everyday what Kim Kardashian was wearing, or where Kanye West was going on vacation, and thinking that somehow that was the mark of success." He addressed the jobs issue from a personal perspective, reflecting on how his own life might have been different had he not experienced success in politics. "I could picture myself being a good teacher," the President mused.

In the interview, which took place on July 30, 2013, at an Amazon facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Obama discussed the increasing need for government programs that can actually make a difference. Sticking close to his standard message, he spoke frankly about the increasing polarization of American politics since the Great Recession and Republican Party intransigence over his agenda. On a personal note, he reflected that he and First Lady Michelle Obama are constantly reminding their daughters of the “slightly unreal environment that they’re in,” as children of privilege in a world constrained by unemployment and recession.

The interview was conducted by David Blum. Blum works for Amazon as the editor of Kindle Singles. He began his career as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and has been the editor-in-chief of The Village Voice, the New York Press and 02138 Magazine. He was previously a writer and editor at The New York Times Magazine, and a contributing editor at New York and Esquire magazines. He has written two books: "Flash in the Pan: The Life and Death of an American Restaurant" (1992), and "Tick...Tick...Tick...: The Long Life & Turbulent Times of 60 Minutes" (2004). He received his B.A. degree in English literature at the University of Chicago.

Cover design by Adil Dara Kim/Official White House Photo
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E86ENEQ
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 31, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 766 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 15 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 3,733 ratings

About the author

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David Blum
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David Blum works for Audible as the editor-in-chief of Audible Originals. Previously, Blum served as the founding editor of Kindle Singles, the store for original, high-quality longform fiction and nonfiction on Kindle. He began his career as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and has worked as a contributing editor at New York Magazine (where he coined the term "Brat Pack"), Esquire and The New York Times Magazine. He has also written for The New Republic, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. In 2006 Blum became editor-in-chief of The Village Voice, and later served as editor-in-chief of the New York Press and 02138 Magazine.

Blum's first book, "Flash In The Pan: The Life and Death of an American Restaurant," was published by Simon & Schuster in 1992, and was named a notable nonfiction book of the year by The New York Times Book Review. His second book, "Tick...Tick...Tick...: The Long Life & Turbulent Times of 60 Minutes," was published by HarperCollins in 2004.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
3,733 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the interview insightful and thought-provoking, appreciating the president's honest answers and the interesting questions posed. The book receives mixed feedback regarding its length, with some finding it short but good while others consider it extremely monotonous. Customers disagree on the historical value, with some noting it provides historical background while others find it uninteresting. Several customers criticize the political content, describing it as blatant political pandering.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

499 customers mention "Insight"445 positive54 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking, providing honest answers.

"This book is so good that I like it's a juicie I want to learn more about Barack Obama because I see why some of these things happen in the world so..." Read more

"...He frames all his points ideologically, and by that I mean that he never loses sight of his central argument..." Read more

"...I was heartened after reading this interview, knowing that the president had struggled to a certain extent, and that he was a result of a successful..." Read more

"...Yes, this book/interview describes my life perfectly. I had to work my "you know what" off, but also needed help from society...." Read more

292 customers mention "Readability"292 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, describing it as a quick and interesting read.

"This book is so good that I like it's a juicie I want to learn more about Barack Obama because I see why some of these things happen in the world so..." Read more

"...what he considers is important: education, a clean environment, a strong economy, a solid infrastructure, a sense of community, and evolving to the..." Read more

"It is a pleasure to read the words of a person who can listen to questions and respond to what was asked; who can speak in complete sentences..." Read more

"What book? This was a good short article...." Read more

226 customers mention "Interview quality"201 positive25 negative

Customers find the interview quality positive, describing it as straightforward with interesting questions that kept their interest.

"A great interview considering it was only about 20 pages long. I learned more about President Obama and I was reminded of things I had forgotten...." Read more

"...interview had delved a little deeper but all in all it was an interesting interview...." Read more

"An excellent interview, with a rational dialog between both parties...." Read more

"...The interview was educational and worthwhile in my opinion and helped get a different view of what the president would like to accomplish while in..." Read more

171 customers mention "Insight into the president"168 positive3 negative

Customers find the interview insightful and eloquent, providing a refreshing look into Obama's thought process. One customer notes it offers a good perspective on his evolution as a leader.

"...Yes, Obama has described the circle of life...." Read more

"...I find it comforting, not fearful, that an American President is thoughtful, possessed of intelligence...." Read more

"...My point is that Obama is the most refreshingly honest politician who cares for ALL Americans that we've seen in quite some time, and I enjoyed and..." Read more

"...All political parties are flawed. And all have good, noble men and women who care about advancing humanity...." Read more

46 customers mention "Shortness"26 positive20 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the length of the book, with some finding it short but good, while others consider it extremely brief.

"...--The interview isn't terribly long--it took me about 20 minutes to read it--and it flows well...." Read more

"...This ebook is short and does not really contain anything new. I see it as a test run. It would be neat if it evolved into a standard feature...." Read more

"...This interview is 15 pages long and can be read in about 20 minutes. It is being offered as a free Kindle book on Amazon...." Read more

"...First off, it's short. Really short. I wanted a fifty page glimpse in to his mind, but it was far shorter...." Read more

26 customers mention "Historical value"16 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the historical value of the book, with some appreciating the historical background while others find it uninteresting.

"...opportunity to explain, at length, how he interprets history, personal circumstances, and his own observations to mean that the best government is..." Read more

"No news. A fair source for Obama`s look on poltics and social issues. Read and decide. Four more words? Ok" Read more

"The interview is an open look into the past in order to understand the present (both good and bad) and a realistic view in to the future...." Read more

"...He also gave a little historical background about how we got here and what economic and political sentiments have been like in the past...." Read more

71 customers mention "Value for money"17 positive54 negative

Customers find the book extremely monotonous and not worth the time to read.

"...Every book has its flaws, and this one is certainly no exception...." Read more

"...My problem was the author's introductory narrative. It lacked substance and took a subtle jab at the President, and wasn't written in a way that..." Read more

"...It was an interesting read, but was too vague, and the president guided the questions with his answers." Read more

"...and develop the best education system possible which is affordable for an ordinary family are quite realistic and strategic criteria to take the..." Read more

28 customers mention "Political accuracy"4 positive24 negative

Customers criticize the political content of the book, describing it as pandering and dysfunctional, with one customer noting it sounds like campaign rhetoric.

"...; during his campaigns, this interview feels far too trite and political...." Read more

"...It just doesn't ring true....rhetoric...the message is aimed at the audience....not a true vision of his own....I often wondered how he won in the..." Read more

"...It lacked substance and took a subtle jab at the President, and wasn't written in a way that made you want to read it...." Read more

"...Given that lack of news value, it didn't deserve the large amount of hype and promotion it got as an Amazon Single, in my view...." Read more

Cut the Crap
5 out of 5 stars
Cut the Crap
I give him a five and wish your scale went higher! He's done an amazing job despite the naysayers... "Who are against him just for the sake of being against him". His accomplishments are MANY and like the 'energizer bunny', he just keeps going and going and going. Because the his accomplishments are so MANY, I'd just like to say. .. "CUT THE CRAP" and refer America to this site that tells it like it is! http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/ I'm so proud to be an American!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2013
    This book is so good that I like it's a juicie I want to learn more about Barack Obama because I see why some of these things happen in the world so I want to learn more thank. You are the asomenest .By the way I love the book and it is naive my school level I am at a level h but I under stand your book. Love your book.I have been introduced about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the way the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama.because of the world is so much for the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world used some people so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the your book is good for the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to like it is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the book is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more about Barack Obama because the world is so good that I am going to learn more
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2013
    This review is meant for those who want to know the basic content and style of this interview and whether or not it's worth reading. It's not a review of Barack Obama or his policies.

    That said, it's difficult to review this interview without acknowledging that whether you enjoy it or not most likely comes down to whether you agree with Obama's progressive world view. If you are passionately opposed to him and his platform, this interview isn't going to change your mind. If you already agree with him, you might pick up a few lines of argumentation here and there that you can pull out and use next time you find yourself debating the role of government with a Libertarian. If you're not exactly sure what you think about Obama and/or the role of government, this interview will give you something to think about as Obama takes the opportunity to explain, at length, how he interprets history, personal circumstances, and his own observations to mean that the best government is one in which self-reliance and what he terms calls our "shared destiny" and "common commitments" are not mutually exclusive.

    Some General Observations:

    --David Blum clearly likes and admires Obama and that admiration informs the kinds of questions he asks and how he asks them. He does not get tough with Obama or touch on some of the controversies of his administration. This will most likely frustrate any reader who's looking for someone to challenge Obama.

    --Obama makes an intelligent and persuasive argument, but there's nothing here you haven't heard before. It reads like a stump speech or lecture from a college professor--Obama clearly has nailed down his beliefs and the reasons for them while anticipating common responses. There's not a whole lot of meat here, and if one is looking for more plans and less ideas, they'll have to go elsewhere.

    --The tone is inclusive and optimistic, and Obama avoids doing a lot of scapegoating or finger-pointing. He frames all his points ideologically, and by that I mean that he never loses sight of his central argument (government can and should be a source of positive change) so that each point circles back to his progressive way of looking at society, culture, and the role of the individual.

    --He criticizes the notion of a "winner takes all economy," touches on the burden of college loan debt, advocates the idea of the government creating good jobs and making sure our education system is strong but offers no concrete ways to go about doing any of that (and this is where Blum should have pushed a little more), and offers up Warren Buffet as an example of someone who is tremendously rich and successful yet turns his focus away from himself to his community.

    --The interview isn't terribly long--it took me about 20 minutes to read it--and it flows well.

    Overall, as I said above, this interview is a forum for Obama's ideological beliefs regarding the role of the individual and government in our society. It's not going to break new ground or transform a devoted conservative into a liberal. If you have 20 minutes and you like Obama, it might be worth a read. If you don't like or respect Obama, skip it.
    315 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2013
    A great interview considering it was only about 20 pages long. I learned more about President Obama and I was reminded of things I had forgotten. I was heartened after reading this interview, knowing that the president had struggled to a certain extent, and that he was a result of a successful American Dream. I agree with what he considers is important: education, a clean environment, a strong economy, a solid infrastructure, a sense of community, and evolving to the new world. I appreciated his insight that we have to adapt to the changing world, because the jobs that were available once upon a time are no longer and that many jobs haven't even been invented yet. One important thing he could have mentioned is that there are plenty of jobs that no one is qualified for because we don't emphasize math and science as much as we should, which is a product of an education system that isn't as good as it could be. I recommend this interview to everyone - it is a quick read that makes you think about the issues in a way that makes you ask, "What can I do to improve my community, my state, or even the United States? How can I leave each day better than the last?"
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025
    As someone who voted for President Obama and strongly believes that he did a lot of good for the USA, I wish the interview had delved a little deeper but all in all it was an interesting interview. Although the interview did not give me any new information I enjoyed the time I spent reading it.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • noddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars a good quick read about a good president
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2021
    Good quick read, I liked President Obama, not just because he became the first black president but because he was just an ordinary guy, who went on to achieve greatness. This was a short interview with a reporter from Amazon. Glad I read it!
  • Cliente Kin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 21, 2017
    This book show us a good and interesting interview with a President Barack Obama. I recommend this book for those have interests global political issues.
  • Markus Stabe
    3.0 out of 5 stars Kurz, aber einigermaßen interessant
    Reviewed in Germany on August 6, 2013
    Dieses Interview ist relativ kurz und ziemlich allgemein gehalten, man erfährt nichts über spezielle Gesetzgebungsverfahren o.ä. sondern ein wenig über Obamas grundsätzliche Ansichten. Da es sowieso kostenlos ist, kann man sich es mal runterladen und schnell durchlesen.
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  • Stiouf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Mr. President
    Reviewed in France on September 20, 2013
    A great president, a good person. I would be glad if there were more top'politicians like him, in France for instance...
  • Beatrice Cosecca
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intervista all'ex presidente americano Barack Obama
    Reviewed in Italy on April 9, 2025
    Trattasi di un'intervista all'ex presidente americano Barack Obama, il libro è interamente in inglese ma facilmente leggibile per chi, come me, è ad un livello intermedio. Parla del suo punto di vista su diverse questioni globali, anche se alcuni temi possono sembrare scontati è comunque stata una lettura piacevole.

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