Laughing with Obama, edited by M. Sweeney, is just the kind of book of photographs that some of us need right now. It’s nice to remember a President who spoke and joked with love. It’s subtitled “A Photographic Look Back at the Enduring Wit and Spirit of President Barack Obama.” This is a companion book to Hugs from Obama.
Sweeney says this “is a photographic celebration of the most heartwarming, playful, and humorous moments of Barack Obama’s tine in the Oval Office.” The photos celebrate eight years of a man who addressed people with humor and laughter. And, some of his quotes are now ironic. Five years ago, he said, “When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk.”
There are a number of his comments from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinners. Of course, those lines were scripted. But, they were still funny. As a basketball fan, and a resident of Indiana, I liked one from 2016. “Ted Cruz had a tough week. He went to Indiana – Hoosier country – stood on a basketball court, and called the hoop a ‘basketball ring.’ What else is in his lexicon? Baseball sticks? Football hats? But sure, I’m the foreign one.”
It’s funny how appropriate his remarks still are. Here’s from 2013. “I had dinner with a number of the Republican senators. And I’ll admit it wasn’t easy. I proposed a toast – it died in committee.”
The pictures made me nostalgic. There’s one with the three living former Presidents, and they’re all laughing. He’s wearing a tiara in a photo with Girl Scouts. He’s in a book store with Michelle.
Both of Sweeney’s books made me smile. It was nice to remember a President whose humor wasn’t cruel. President Obama’s humor often poked fun at himself and views of him. The photos in Laughing with Obama are filmed with warmth. It’s clever, and funny. And as I said, the humor isn’t cruel. I miss that.
Laughing with Obama: A Photographic Look Back at the Enduring Wit and Spirit of President Barack Obama, edited by M. Sweeney. St. Martin’s Press, 2019. ISBN 9781250234605 (hardcover), 122p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.
Oh, how I miss this man and his family. I may have to pay attention to you yet again and order this, Lesa. Thank you!!
I miss him too. His civiliity, his warmth, his humor, his class, and his family.
Those were the days. I found plenty to complain about while he was in office, but by comparison with what came before and after it seems a golden age.
Thanks for giving me a chuckle this morning. How quickly the world has changed – now we have a President who won't read any document more than one page long – I imagine he's never read a book.
I miss having a president that is eloquent but also can be kind towards others.
I agree with noirencyclopedia. He wasn't perfect, and I complained, too, but oh, he was so much better than the thing in office now. As Bonnie said, he was eloquent and kind, and literate.