Michelle Obama: Speeches on Life, Love, and American Values by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama: Speeches on Life, Love, and American Values Reviews

• 
  Carrie Kellenberger

  This was a very quick and easy read and it was the perfect book to start 2017 off with because I really do adore everything that Michelle Obama stands for. Her speeches are simple and easy to follow, and although the book is a mere 132 pages, it was an inspiring read that made me realize that she really understands what Americans are going through, especially American women.
  
  Michelle and Barack started out poor. They were community outreach workers for years on the South Side of Chicago. They have never really sought the limelight, and they have both worked tirelessly on many campaigns to improve the lives of Americans in many different ways - together, and in their own separate ways.
  
  Now that I have read Michelle Obama: Speeches on Life, Love, and American Values, I am even more impressed with the Obamas than I was before. When Barack Obama was elected, I read both of his books as well, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.
  
  I am going to miss this family so much.
  
  This book is positive, compassionate, and it will resonate with me throughout this year. As one of the most inspirational women in America, it was my pleasure to read about Michelle's own beliefs and upbringing. Some of the topics that she touches upon in her speeches remind me very much of the beliefs and values that my own parents instilled in me and my siblings when we were young.
  
  As Michelle continually says throughout her speeches, we all need to be better citizens and we need to serve the world as we serve ourselves. We should also encourage people to serve their communities and their neighbors. That is what being a global citizen is all about. This is why I respect her so much.
  
  Here are some of my favorite passages from her book. I'm not going to lie. I highlighted almost everything she said, but these were my favorite passages that I wanted to share with you:
  
  "You learn that you treat people with respect and decency, even if you don’t know them and even if you don’t agree with them. Because that’s the right way to treat your neighbor."
  
  "We learn that there is nothing more important in this life than commitment to your family and your community."
  
  "Things like truth and honesty matter in life, all the time. Your word is your bond. When you say you’re going to do something, you do it to the best of your ability. And that when you’re a working class kid in this society, you don’t feel entitled to anything."
  
  "We need leadership. We need people with judgment. We need decent people—people with common sense, people with strong family values, people who understand the world."
  
  "As people talked to us about it, the question that came up again and again, the question that people were most concerned about—they were afraid. It was fear. Fear again raising its ugly head. During one of the most important decisions that we would make—fear. Fear of everything. Fear that we would lose. Fear that we might get hurt. Fear that this would be ugly. Fear that it might hurt our family. Fear."
  
  “We’re at a point in time in society where life has gotten increasingly harder for folks. I think because of that, it is difficult to reflect on life and to think through these issues because we’re all struggling so very, very much just keeping our heads above water. At least regular people are."
  
  Please don't forget: YES, WE CAN.
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Claudia

  What she has to say - great, how the book is organized and edited - not so much...
• 
  Ivani Gomes

  I have read this book, and it has been wonderful.