To my horror, this turned to be a PDF file rather than for Kindle. Unfortunately, I can only read books on my kindle. I was so much looking forward to reading this, so I am deeply disappointed that I am unable to do. Many thanks for the book, just such a shame I am not in a position to be able to read it!!

Based around letters written by ordinary Americans during Obama's presidency, this is both a portrait of America over those 8 years - and an insight into an Obama we might never have seen. For while some of the letters are overtly political, others are outbursts of anger, of rage, of cries for help written to a man as much as to an administration or figurehead of the Establishment. And Obama responds to them as a man - alive with an empathy that belies everything we know about politicians and (in)sincerity.

In the interview which provides an epilogue, Obama - cool, relaxed, thoughtful - talks of the importance to him of this dialogue with the people he pledged to serve, regardless of whether they agreed and supported him or not. His openness in accepting the challenges to his presidency are illuminating: sometimes he explained the factors that led him to do what he did, sometimes he changed his own mind or at least caused an issue to be investigated. One of the things that affected me most was the fact that after writing to people Obama might meet them for lunch or tea, a genuine interest and continuation of a dialogue which is exceptional.

A memoir of grace, true empathy and also covert attack on the Trump administration which tramples quite openly and proudly on the idea of ever showing empathy, compassion, or seeing the world through someone else's eyes.