Barack Obama: His Essential Wisdom invites readers to experience the powerful oratory of our forty-fourth president. Obama's skill at expressing deep empathy and thoughtful idealism made him a best-selling author at an early age. Speaking as a law professor, politician, and eventually the nation's first African American president, he continued to hone a view of America as a unique place where all races and classes could achieve equality.

These selections have been drawn from his speeches, interviews, essays, books, social media posts, and other writings over the past twenty years, and they reveal a great intellect, dynamic leadership style, and steadfast determination. Arranged thematically, the selections reveal his thoughts and feelings, and even the occasional joke, about the many issues he faced during his two terms as president—universal healthcare, same-sex equality, racial equality, and the threat of terrorism among them.

In these passages, Obama:

Speaks passionately about the ideals and beliefs at the core of the American Dream

Vigorously advocates for the equality and inclusion of all Americans

Eloquently expresses the need for smarter education and innovation

Elaborates a vision for a national security posture as judicious as it is tough

Makes the case for decisive action on climate change

Advocates for common-sense gun-control legislation and prison reform

An illuminating and powerful collection, Barack Obama: His Essential Wisdom offers readers new insight into this remarkable leader, charismatic man, and gifted orator whose words have time and again restored the faith and bolstered the hopes of millions of Americans.