Becoming

By: Michelle Obama

Narrated by: Michelle Obama

Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The number one best seller.

British Book Awards, Audiobook of the Year.

Winner of the Grammy's Best Spoken Word Album 2020.

Winner of the 2020 Audie Award for Autobiography/Memoir.

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America - the first African American to serve in that role - she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the United States and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites listeners into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations - and whose story inspires us to do the same.

©2018 Michelle Obama (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A genuine page-turner, full of intimacies and reflections." (Evening Standard)

"A rich, entertaining and candid memoir. And overall Obama's a fun person to sit alongside as she tells you the story of her life...it is as beautifully written as any piece of fiction." (i)

"Offers new insights into her upbringing on the south side of Chicago and the highs and lows of life with Barack Obama...a refreshing level of honesty about what politics really did to her. I have read Barack Obama's two books so far, and this is like inserting a missing piece of reality into the narrative of his dizzying journey." (Guardian)

A really pleasant listen

This was an easy listen. I enjoyed getting to know the former first lady through her own words and to better understand the significance of the Obama presidency. Her insights into being a professional, mother and wife within the context of such public scrutiny were presented with warmth, empathy and strength.

Most hope filled book I have read

Michelle Obama has done a wonderful job writing and narrating this book that is so filled with hope, enthusiasm for life and a promise that we will get back to being a strong country with ethics and morals.

One of my favourites

if you are a human being who inhales oxygen and metabolizes it to carbon dioxide, then this book is for you. Caters to anyone of all walks of life regardless of age or career and gives an intimate look into the life of Michelle Obama. Very well written.

Inspiring, powerful and relatable

I loved how the book took us behind the scenes to some of the groundbreaking moments in history. I loved how human Michelle and her family are and what a great mother and wife she is, always having her family as the main priority.

Her journey as a young kid in a disadvantaged neighborhood and overcoming the adversity to become a successful lawyer and her desire to do something more spoke directly to me.

It’s phenomenal that a story of a woman across the world in the US feels like my story. Remaining hopeful in times of chaos and uncertainty was a thread that ran throughout the book.

I admire how honestly and intimately the story is told. A worthy read and one that I will go back to for certain reminders time and again.

inspiring book

One of the most inspiring books I've ever listen/read. i had an admiration, but didn't know her background. Now that I know the admiration just grew. It's a different insight of the political life and a reminder that you can be whatever you want regardless of your origin.

Both good and okay at the same time

Overall a worthwhile book to read for a reflections of a woman leader. Slow/uninteresting at some points though.

Worthy of a documentary!!!!

The book provides a real life outlook at her life and well documented and presented!

What a joy.

It was very enjoyable to listen to the book been read by author. It was lovely to get to know the real FLOTUS. It was an inspiration and gave me hope.

superb historical account

I absolutely loved the book, the story and the production. Having it read by the author herself was truly an added bonus. I felt deeply engaged and personally attached to the accounts she was relating. WAs deeply moved by the moral and ethical themes through the book and the real commitment to serve.I cried, laughed and was left in awe of the initiatives this amazing lady started. She has left an incredible legacy in American History, a role model of ethical practice, and a Mother in a million to a million! Thank you Mrs Obama for moving the dial and resetting the history books in the White House.

inspiring. enlightening. humble.

one of the best books I've ever read. I'm so inspired. it's practical and emotional. human and super human.