The legacy of a US president is inevitably weighed against what came before and after them, and the presence of Donald Trump looms large over Barack Obama’s new 750-page memoir. Obama’s memoir, A Promised Land, is the first volume of a two-part memoir, secured for an eye-popping $65 million (€55 million) advance. The memoir outstays its welcome at times, but is well written and avoids the wonkishness or verbosity of some political memoirs. World leadersAt Obama’s first encounter with Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader subjected the US president to a 45-minute rant against America. There could be more Irish bits in the second book if he remembers his trip as fondly as we do.

Source: The Irish Times November 17, 2020 10:31 UTC