What Barack Obama Reads and Recommends

a list by Peter, the avid reader who runs Flashlight Worthy

Based on comments by the candidates, Amazon.com compiled a list of a dozen books each that senators Barack Obama and John McCain recommended or was seen reading during the 2008 campaign.

onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_PostAmerican_World');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039306235X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_PostAmerican_World');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039306235X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria Amazon readers say: "This is a highly informative source for coming to terms with the positive changes that globalization could and is bringing." "America's changing place in the world." "Easy reading, very informative, interesting insight." "Thorough balanced perspective on America and the world." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_PostAmerican_World');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_PostAmerican_World');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039306235X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 288 page hardcover \|$17.13 \|148 reviews This book also appears on The New York Times' 52 (not just 50!) Notable Non-Fiction Books of 2008


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Team_of_Rivals_The_Political_Genius_of_Abraham_Lincoln');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0743270754'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Team_of_Rivals_The_Political_Genius_of_Abraham_Lincoln');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0743270754'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin Amazon readers say: "Lincoln as politician." "Exceptional political biography." "Great book, big but very readable." "Great read, didn't want to put it down." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Team_of_Rivals_The_Political_Genius_of_Abraham_Lincoln');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Team_of_Rivals_The_Political_Genius_of_Abraham_Lincoln');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0743270754'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 944 page paperback \|$11.55 \|369 reviews This book also appears on Great Gifts for Men for the 2008 Holidays


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/For_Whom_the_Bell_Tolls');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0684803356'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/For_Whom_the_Bell_Tolls');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0684803356'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway Amazon readers say: "A superb Hemingway war novel." "Smell of pine needles." "Deserves to be called a classic." "Perhaps Hemingway's literary masterpiece." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/For_Whom_the_Bell_Tolls');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/For_Whom_the_Bell_Tolls');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0684803356'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 480 page paperback \|$10.20 \|267 reviews This book also appears on What John McCain Reads and Recommends


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Gilead');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/031242440X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Gilead');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/031242440X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Gilead by Marilynne Robinson Amazon readers say: "Smooth as silk." "A sweet and beautifully-written story." "Simply one of the most beautiful things I have ever read." "Perfect prose and wonderful words." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Gilead');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Gilead');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/031242440X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 256 page paperback \|$11.20 \|300 reviews This book also appears on Slate's Best Books of 2008


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Song_of_Solomon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/140003342X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Song_of_Solomon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/140003342X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison Amazon readers say: "The struggle for identity in adversity." "A feast for the soul." "A delicious read." "A beautiful song." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Song_of_Solomon');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Song_of_Solomon');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/140003342X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 337 page paperback \|$10.17 \|213 reviews This book also appears on Oprah's Book Club


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/SelfReliance_and_Other_Essays');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0486277909'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/SelfReliance_and_Other_Essays');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0486277909'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Self-Reliance and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson Amazon readers say: "Mighty thoughts that can shake your life!" "Good ideas; too gender-specific..." "An essential part of every American library." "Broad-minded and radical thoughts." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/SelfReliance_and_Other_Essays');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/SelfReliance_and_Other_Essays');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0486277909'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 128 page paperback \|$3.50 \|17 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_New_Oxford_Annotated_Bible_with_the_Apocrypha_Augmented_Third_Edition_New_Revised_Standard_Version_Indexed');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0195288815'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_New_Oxford_Annotated_Bible_with_the_Apocrypha_Augmented_Third_Edition_New_Revised_Standard_Version_Indexed');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0195288815'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Third Edition, New Revised Standard Version, Indexed edited by Michael D. Coogan, Marc Z. Brettler, Carol A. Newsom, Pheme Perkins Amazon readers say: "An ecumenical study bible for everyone." "Excellent study bible." "The best translation and the best study bible." "The flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_New_Oxford_Annotated_Bible_with_the_Apocrypha_Augmented_Third_Edition_New_Revised_Standard_Version_Indexed');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/The_New_Oxford_Annotated_Bible_with_the_Apocrypha_Augmented_Third_Edition_New_Revised_Standard_Version_Indexed');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0195288815'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 2,432 page hardcover \|$32.76 \|136 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Abraham_Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_18321858');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450437'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Abraham_Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_18321858');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450437'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858 by Abraham Lincoln, Don E. Fehrenbacher Amazon readers say: "Lincoln source documents in a gorgeous printing." "Early writings of the great Lincoln." "Great volume culminates in the Lincoln-Douglas debates." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Abraham_Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_18321858');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Abraham_Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_18321858');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450437'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 898 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|4 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_Volume_2_18591865');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450631'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_Volume_2_18591865');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450631'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Lincoln: Speeches and Writings: Volume 2: 1859-1865 by Abraham Lincoln Amazon readers say: "Great volume covering Lincoln's presidency & the civil war." "Lincoln in his own words." "Leadership and eloquence." "Lincoln source documents in a gorgeous printing." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_Volume_2_18591865');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Lincoln_Speeches_and_Writings_Volume_2_18591865');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0940450631'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 788 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|4 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/MobyDick_or_The_Whale');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0142437247'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/MobyDick_or_The_Whale');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0142437247'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville Amazon readers say: "Quite simply, the greatest American novel, ever." "A challenge worth taking reading the greatest American novel." "The greatest American novel." "A deep and profound book, not for the casual reader." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/MobyDick_or_The_Whale');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/MobyDick_or_The_Whale');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0142437247'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 720 page paperback \|$10.40 \|318 reviews This book also appears on: John Irving's 10 Favorite Books Joyce Carol Oates' 10 Favorite Books Michael Chabon's 10 Favorite Books Penguin Classics: The 100 Most Popular Titles


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Parting_the_Waters_America_in_the_King_Years_195463');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0671687425'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Parting_the_Waters_America_in_the_King_Years_195463');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0671687425'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63 by Taylor Branch Amazon readers say: "Authentic & comprehensive history of civil rights movement." "Americans struggling for the right to be Americans." "King: spiritual leader of our time." "Indispensable lesson in American history." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Parting_the_Waters_America_in_the_King_Years_195463');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Parting_the_Waters_America_in_the_King_Years_195463');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0671687425'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 1,088 page paperback \|$16.06 \|36 reviews This book also appears on Pulitzer Prize Winners for History


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Shakespeares_Tragedies_Volume_1');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679417427'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Shakespeares_Tragedies_Volume_1');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679417427'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Shakespeare's Tragedies: Volume 1 by William Shakespeare Amazon readers say: "Nice to have these all in one volume." "Great bindings, good commentaries." "Great bindings, good intro critique." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Shakespeares_Tragedies_Volume_1');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Shakespeares_Tragedies_Volume_1');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0679417427'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 672 page hardcover \|$17.16 \|3 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Collected_Poems_19481984');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0374520259'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Collected_Poems_19481984');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0374520259'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Collected Poems, 1948-1984 by Derek Walcott Flashlight Worthy says: A little bonus item we added to Amazon's list. Apparently Obama was spotted carrying a copy of this volume of Walcott's poetry just a day or so after the election. It's nice to see him relax with a little poetry after what must have been a grueling 2 years of campaigning. (Thanks to Flashlight Worthy fan Marjorie for pointing out the news mention to us.) onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Collected_Poems_19481984');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/What_Barack_Obama_Reads_and_Recommends/Collected_Poems_19481984');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0374520259'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 516 page paperback \|$13.60 \|5 reviews

Know any books we should add to the list above? .