Author: Michelle Obama

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama is an intimate and powerful memoir that chronicles the life of the former First Lady of the United States. Here’s a detailed summary and some reviews:

Detailed Summary

Early Life and Education:
Michelle Obama, born Michelle Robinson, grew up in a two-story bungalow on Chicago’s South Side. Her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, were hardworking and instilled the value of education in their children. Michelle attended Whitney Young High School, a magnet school for gifted students, and later Princeton University, where she faced and overcame racial and cultural challenges¹.

Career and Meeting Barack:
After Princeton, Michelle went to Harvard Law School and then worked at a high-end law firm in Chicago. It was here that she met Barack Obama, a summer associate she was assigned to mentor. Despite initial reservations, she was drawn to his intelligence and dedication to social justice¹.

Marriage and Family:
Michelle and Barack married in 1992. Michelle transitioned from corporate law to public service, working for the city of Chicago and various non-profits. The couple faced personal and professional challenges, including the loss of Michelle’s father and a close friend¹.

Life in the White House:
As First Lady, Michelle focused on initiatives to support military families, help working women balance career and family, and encourage healthy eating and exercise. She also became a role model for women and girls, advocating for education and empowerment².

Post-White House:
After leaving the White House, Michelle continued to inspire through public speaking and writing. Her memoir, “Becoming,” reflects on her journey and the lessons she learned along the way².

Reviews

Critics’ Consensus:
“Becoming” has been praised for its candid and engaging storytelling. Critics highlight Michelle Obama’s ability to connect with readers through her honest reflections on her personal and public life. The memoir has been described as warm, wise, and revelatory².

Readers’ Reactions:
Readers have found “Becoming” to be an inspiring and empowering read. Many appreciate Michelle’s openness about her struggles and triumphs, and her commitment to making a difference. The book has resonated with a wide audience, earning high ratings and positive reviews².

Awards and Recognition:
“Becoming” was the bestselling book of 2018 and won the 2019 BookBrowse Nonfiction Award. It also received a Grammy for the Best Spoken Word Album, and a Netflix documentary was made about Michelle Obama’s book tour³.

If you have any specific aspects of the book you’d like to delve deeper into, feel free to let me know!

Source:
(1) Becoming: Full Book Summary – SparkNotes. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/becoming/summary/.
(2) Summary and Reviews of Becoming by Michelle Obama – BookBrowse. https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/3856/becoming.
(3) Becoming Study Guide | Literature Guide – LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/becoming.
(4) Becoming Summary & Study Guide – BookRags.com. https://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-becoming/.
(5) Becoming Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/becoming/summary/.
(6) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38746485-becoming.