A Great Book with Barack Obama Audiobook By Barack Obama, Higher Ground cover art

A Great Book with Barack Obama

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A Great Book with Barack Obama

By: Barack Obama, Higher Ground
Narrated by: Tom Hanks, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jill Lepore, Ben Rhodes, Percival L. Everett, Lauren Groff, Barack Obama
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Some books don't just tell a story — they change the way you see the world. In A Great Book with Barack Obama, a new Audible Original podcast from Audible and Higher Ground, President Obama is joined by some of the most compelling thinkers, writers, and artists of our time to revisit six timeless books that shaped his life and perspective on the world.

With his signature intellectual curiosity, President Obama reflects on identity, power, memory, and culture using the stories that impacted him most. Over the course of six episodes, President Obama sits down with guests Tom Hanks, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jill Lepore, Ben Rhodes, Percival L. Everett, and Lauren Groff. Together they explore a central question: what do the stories we love tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create?

The books featured in this season are: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, All The King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, and All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy.

©2026 Higher Ground, LLC (P)2026 Audible Originals, LLC

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Insightful Discussions • Thoughtful Conversations • Wonderful Voice • Engaging Format • Diverse Perspectives

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Great insights and research. Easy to follow along and enjoyed listening to the President and his guests

Amazing man! You are articulate

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Love the candor, authenticity, and humility between Barack and the guests. Inspired by the perspectives shared, the challenges confronted, and the art of inquisition performed.

Healthy conversations on Humanity

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Listening to this intimate discussion offers a powerful reminder of what true public service looks like. Hearing President Obama candidly discuss books, fatherhood, identity, and the presidency highlights the rare mix of intellect and humanity he brought to the Oval Office. We were truly fortunate to have a leader who grasped the full weight of the presidency—someone who consistently put the country’s interests above personal gain and possessed the diplomatic skill to get real work done for everyday Americans. It is deeply moving to hear someone who not only understood America’s role in the world, but genuinely respected and cared about the people he served. A thoroughly inspiring listen.

An affirmation of a thoughtful and intelligent leader.

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I really enjoyed this. I’ve read three of the books discussed here. But it was really nice to hear others share some of my thoughts and get a new perspective on these authors. I truly enjoyed this.

Great Reads

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Some I had read. Made me want and wanted to jump onto the conversation. Some made me want to reread them. Some I knew but never read and want to put on my list of suggestions for a book club read.

Honest, Funny, Sad, Open, Kind, so much thought, so well expressed,

Makes You Want To Read or Reread Them

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