Edward McClelland, a veteran Chicago journalist, tells the real story of the first black president's political education in the capital of the African American political community.
“A fine survey of how local Chicago politics shaped Obama.”—Midwest Book Review
“With Young Mr. Obama, Edward McClelland finishes what The Bridge started, showing how Obama navigated Chicago political life, which can be as rough as a Blackhawks game . . . McClelland’s book is long on reporting and narrative, and short on meditation and analysis—for which readers can be thankful . . . For the many Americans who remain fascinated with the American president, Young Mr. Obama makes for insightful, enlightening reading, a worthy supplement to Remnick’s book and a valuable contribution to the record on the 44th president.”—Christian Science Monitor
“McClelland does a great job illustrating how the gerrymandering of Chicago's First Congressional District and the emergence of early 20th century black leaders such as Oscar DePriest and William Dawson established strong foundations for black leadership to emerge in Chicago and across Illinois, well before it became accepted elsewhere.”—GapersBlock.com
“Where did Barack Obama come from? No answer to that question can be complete without the stories that unfold in this book. Many of them date from the time when Edward McClelland was just about the only reporter covering the young and unknown Obama. Understanding how this extraordinary leader rose from Chicago politics to the pinnacle of world power is not possible without the insights in Young Mr. Obama.”—Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq
“[McClelland] makes a convincing case that President Obama’s experiences in his adopted city shaped him profoundly and helped make him the seasoned and formidable politician he is today. An engaging overview of the president’s early political education.”—Kirkus Reviews
“As Barack Obama’s presidency is beset by falling ratings, a weak economy, and an anti-deficit mood, McClelland’s examination of Obama’s ascendancy should encourage supporters and instill caution in opponents.”—Publishers Weekly
Edward McClelland is a veteran political journalist working out of Chicago. His previous books include The Third Coast: Sailors, Strippers, Fishermen, Folksingers, Long-Haired Ojibway Painters and God-Save-the-Queen Monarchists of the Great Lakes and Horseplayers: Life at the Track. He has written for the Chicago Reader, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Slate, Salon, Chicago magazine and many other publications.
Visit our UK site
