Grace

President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America

By: Cody Keenan

Narrated by: Cody Keenan

From Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter Cody Keenan, a spellbinding account of the ten most dramatic days of the presidency, when a hate-fueled massacre and looming Supreme Court decisions put the character of our country on the line, and a president’s words could bring the nation together or tear it apart.

A white supremacist shooting and an astonishing act of forgiveness. A national reckoning with race and the Confederate flag. The fate of marriage equality and the Affordable Care Act. GRACE is the propulsive story of ten days in June 2015, when Obama and his chief speechwriter Cody Keenan composed a series of high-stakes speeches to meet a succession of stunning developments.

Through behind-the-scenes moments—from Obama’s suggestion that Keenan pour a drink, listen to some Miles Davis, and “find the silences,” to the president’s late-night writing sessions in the First Family’s residence—Keenan takes us inside the craft of speechwriting at the highest level for the most demanding of bosses, the relentlessly poetic and perfectionist Barack Obama. GRACE also delivers a fascinating portrait of White House insiders like Ben Rhodes, Valerie Jarrett, Jen Psaki, and the speechwriting team responsible for pulling it all off during a furious, historic stretch of the Obama presidency—including a gifted fact-checker who took Keenan’s rhetoric to task before taking his hand in marriage. GRACE is the most intimate writing that exists on the rhetorical tightrope our first Black president had to walk, culminating with an unforgettable high point: Obama stunning everybody by taking a deep breath and leading the country in a chorus of “Amazing Grace.”

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Cody Keenan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Incredible story

Loved this memoir of Cody’s life during his Whitehouse years. I listened to it in 2 days!!!Incredibly written. Heartwarming stories of Obama. I had to go back and watch Obama’s Charleston speech twice! His impressions of him are spot on!

A Return to Integrity and Grace

Wonderful narration, enthralling story. Embraces a time of empathy, morality, and class. Cody Keenan's relationship with POTUS hearkens back to the familiarity of brilliance and collegiality but more important a wonderful symbiosis, the product of which we as Americans were lucky enough to enjoy through so many important, impactful speeches. Balm to the soul as our collective hearts yearned, ached, and broke. Each written word carefully put to paper, each spoken word thoughtfully uttered. Beautiful. Amazing Grace. Brought tears to my eyes -- again.

Back stage to a presidency

I found this book very interesting not only as to prividing a glimpse to the mechanics of a speech writer but the presidency and the handling of difficilt situations.

Inspiring

This wonderful book is inspiring, moving, fascinating, and beautifully written. I pray that we Americans will take to heart and exhibit the vision of America that it presents as possible.

This book fills my heart

This book is a must read. It is so inspiring. It took me back to a time when President Obama made me believe anything was possible and showed just how the beautifully crafted speeches he gave came into being while showing a small peek inside all that happens inside the White House during pivotal moments. One of my favorite books ever!

Amazing Memories beautifully written

This book made me cry happy memory tears 3 times while listening - and I haven’t cried in years! Beautifully written and the narration almost sounded like Obama was reading it at times. This is a Must Listen on Audible!

Amazing. Insightful. Heartfelt. Inspiring.

I can’t write enough nice things about this book. It’s a wonderful look at what it is truly like to work for President Obama. This wasn’t your typical memoir, it was a life journey through some of the most trying and inspirational times of his presidency. For a political memoir I found myself laughing, crying, and enjoying this immensely. I can’t wait to share this experience with my friends and family. Because ultimately that’s what this book was about, not politics, but friends and family, and people who wanted to change the world.

Wow!

This book made me cry to remember what we had and then what followed. I hope young people read it and imagine what they can do.

Amazing Grace

A truly inspiring and uplifting peak behind the curtain. Much need in November 2022.

Enlightening & Inspiring

I think, because it was the audible version (which I'm just beginning to use) it took me a bit to realize he was incorporating past events to set the stage and inform what helped shape the days leading up to President Obama speaking in Charleston.

It is enlightening to see and realize the enormous amount of work and the diligence involved in an Obama speech.

The book also allows us to hope and believe that there are enough of us to find our own, and the collective, strength to save our democracy.