Saturday, September 8, 2012

Amazing reviews for the autobiography of Barack Obama's family ...

Just checking some of the reviews for my new book, the autobiography of Barack Obama's family. What an extra-ordinary story.

I have met Barack's Kenyan family first on 2008. I realized that the family's powerful story was yet to be told. What a bi-cultural powerful saga: An incredible climb inspired by a visionary woman, against so many obstacles, heart breaking moments, tragedies ...

When I agreed to do the project and hosted members of the Obama family at my home this summer, I have been witnessing additional strong  emotions. Such strong, that it became a task to portray Mama Sarah Obama the right way: The way women in the West can identify with her dreams, hard working, wisdom, caring for her big family ...All this despite clash of cultures.

So your reviews mean the world to me!

Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener about women in Africa, September 2, 2012
This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition)
I heard about Mama Sarah Obama, of course - because of her grandson,
the president of the United States of America. Whenever I watched the news
and saw Mama Sarah, I could not really connect with her. In a way she was sort of
being ridiculed by the reports. So when I started to read this book, I could not anticipate
what I found out. This is a very smart woman. Barack Obama's grandmother is an entrepreneur.
She understands more about economy and globalization than many of us. And it is her big
ambition and determination that landed him (Barack Obama) eventually at the White House.
From the book, I understand that he recognizes the importance of his grandmother in his life
and has a tremendous respect for her. Who would not, once you read this book? And I am still
emotional about the painful life that Sarah has endured and the fact that many other women
in Africa are still facing it daily.

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't stop reading it, September 2, 2012
This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition)
I must say that I did not understand many things about Barack Obama, and frankly did not care,
until I started to read this book. In the middle of a very political season, this is the first time
I'm starting to understand the Barack Obama factor. His grandmother autobiography is a candid
account, discussing the clash between two different cultures. It is funny, painful, and you just
can not let it down until you finish it.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an original content!
This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition)
We have all heard about Barack Obama's story from different sources. Now Sarah Obama,
his grandmother, is telling her own story. She is a woman who had a big dream which ended
at the White House. Mama Sarah Obama takes us through the bumpy road, from her home
in East Africa into the making of the President of the United States. This book is a celebration
of ambition, hard work and the importance of education.

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful personal account of Barack Obama's Kenyan Grandma!
September 8, 2012
This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition)
I'm reading the powerful story of Mama Sarah Obama, and how her big dreams penetrated
the psyche of her son, Barack Obama Sr., encouraging him to strive for higher education
and big achievements. Ultimately, this wise woman from Kenya inspired her grandson,
Barack Obama Jr., right into the White House as President of the United States! But it makes me
wonder where she was during the Democratic convention? How come her grandson mentioned
only his American side of his family in his speech? I'm reading this beautiful chapter in the book
about Barack Obama's trip to Kenya with his sweetheart, Michelle, to get Mama Sarah Obama's
blessing on his marriage and learn about his roots. Why ignore your African roots in your
acceptance speech? Mama Sarah Obama seems to have had so much impact on President
Barack Obama's ambition; certainly more than Eva Longoria or Scarlett Johansson. Although
it's at the root of our collective American heart, maybe it's too uncomfortable for us
to embrace/respect our cultural diversities and the occasional "shortcomings" of our ancestors?
We ALL experience these things!! Daphne Barak presents Mama Sarah Obama's fascinating
personal account of the Obama family's African history in a delightful, easy-to-read way.
Be proud, educate yourself, dream big, and never forget those who helped get you here!


5.0 out of 5 stars Unwavering Dreams & Leaky Roofs - A wonderful read!, September 8, 2012
By 
Hulagirl (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams & Roots (Kindle Edition)
I read Mama Sarah Obama's autobiography today in a couple of hours and it was time well spent!
Some of the stories actually brought tears to my eyes. Daphne Barak really made me care about
this woman, the African grandmother of President Barack Obama. It opened my eyes to the 
Kenyan/African culture, how African women have been treated by men, the polygamy and 
domestic violence; a culture whose attitude about women's rights is the polar opposite of those 
expressed by Michelle Obama at the DNC. In spite of it all, Mama Sarah has always found a 
reason to be optimistic. Even when she is struggling with a leaky roof and no money to fix it, 
and with family feuds similar to those we all experience, she refuses to give up her hopes and 
dreams for the family she loves.

Imagine - the African grandmother of President Barack Obama, rubbing elbows at a presidential
inauguration with the likes of respected icons such as the late Senator Kennedy. What an
adventure that must have been for this steadfast tribal wife and mother from a small village
on the shores of Lake Victoria! Barak describes it all in an intimate style that made me relate
to each one of Mama Sarah Obama's emotions. This is a must-read for anyone (in either party!)
interested in the fascinating multi-cultural background of President Obama. Next stop - I need
to find out more about those yummy Kenyan recipes!



Posted September 8, 2012
A captivating tale about an African woman and her ambitions, hop
A captivating tale about an African woman and her ambitions, hopes and dreams. I enjoyed 
learning more about President Barack Obama's African ancestry and traditions, the good ones 
(love, encouragement, food!) and the bad ones (polygamy, wife-beating). Daphne Barak's style 
of planting small hints at the beginning of this powerful story just to reveal a fuller picture later, 
kept me glued to the book. With all of the theories about President Barack Obama's roots, 
I was curious to read it. But Barak manages to strike a nice balance between dreams, myth 
and reality. She did it in a respectful way to East African culture. Even when we find out down 
the road about lies and distortions, you understand them in the full context of the human beings 
involved. Barack Obama's grandmother comes across as a hard-working woman who can discuss 
Africa with President George W Bush, receive delegations from Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, 
and advise her famous grandson "You should work hard." I enjoyed that this is truly 
Mama Sarah's story and not just a glorification of her grandson and his fame. By all means, 
read it. It will inspire and touch you!


 


Posted September 8, 2012
I read "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams and Roots" in one
I read "Mama Sarah Obama: Our Dreams and Roots" in one sitting and found it 
fascinating! People of all cultures fascinate me; I always find it interesting which details of 
their lives they want to share with us. Daphne Barak kept me hooked, following the amazing 
story of a woman in Kenya, Africa, whose hope and love for her family eventually helped propel
her grandson, Barack Obama, to President of the United States. Many questions about Obama's 
roots are answered here. I read over and over the part about the burial of his grandfather in a 
full Muslim ceremony, orchestrated by his son, Barack Obama Sr, the late father of our President.
Mama Sarah relates how her family has been Muslim for generations. I laughed out loud when 
she described how she tried to avoid giving real answers about the Obama family's faith! And 
how her daughter, Marsat (Barack Obama's aunt), interrupted with: "OK, we are Muslims 
..." Is is so difficult for us to grasp that people within families can practice different 
religions? I am Catholic. Because I have a Buddhist brother, does that make me one too? 
Nonsense! Our differences make us each unique and we should not be afraid of them. Barak's 
well-written, poignant telling of Mama Sarah Obama's stories drew a picture for me of an 
African girl who overcame the challenges of her gender, culture and disappointments in life 
to make the world a better place for her children, step-children and her extended family of 
loved ones all over the world. Now I know that Barack Obama's immense charisma came 
not only from his father, but from his spirited grandmother as well! I loved the book!











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