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We are well into election season, and I love reading on-theme. So, I decided to listen to “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America” by Cody Keenan.
I’ve had this book on my TBR list for at least a year, but I was waiting for the right time to listen, and I’m glad this was the right time.
Cody Keenan was President Obama’s Chief Speechwriter, and this book specifically covers 10 intense days during his presidency. These 10 days cover Supreme Court decisions for marriage equality and the Affordable Care Act, along with the mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
These 10 days in Obama’s presidency included several key speeches that Keenan, along with his team and the President, put together.
What I loved most about this book was getting such an inside look at the writing processes happening in the White House!
While all of the speeches discussed in the book are powerful in their own way, the one that will stick with me well-beyond listening to this book is the eulogy President Obama gave for the victims in Charleston.
When we think about a President, I’m sure we think a lot of things — including opinions on how they give speeches — but how they would eulogize victims of a hate crime?
It probably doesn’t cross our minds. And his eulogy will go down in history for its beauty and message of hope, even in the unknown.
If you’re at all interested in political speeches, I’d check this book out!
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