{"id":2000122086,"date":"2026-08-11T10:54:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000122086"},"modified":"2026-08-11T10:54:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:54:57","slug":"barack-obama-to-host-podcast-exploring-books-that-shaped-his-worldview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/barack-obama-to-host-podcast-exploring-books-that-shaped-his-worldview\/","title":{"rendered":"Barack Obama to host podcast exploring books that shaped his worldview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Titled A Great Book with Barack Obama, the series will premiere exclusively on Audible on September 24. It is being produced by Audible in collaboration with Higher Ground, the production company founded by Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each episode will focus on one of six books chosen by Obama, with the former president discussing the work with a guest. The guests have not yet been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obama\u2019s selections span a range of literary styles and subjects. They include Toni Morrison\u2019s Song of Solomon, James Baldwin\u2019s The Fire Next Time, Cormac McCarthy\u2019s All the Pretty Horses, Marilynne Robinson\u2019s Gilead, Robert Penn Warren\u2019s All the King\u2019s Men and John le Carr\u00e9\u2019s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe,\u201d Obama said in announcing the series. He said the six books had remained with him throughout his life and each offered something to teach about the human experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversations will examine why the books have resonated with Obama, how literature can influence the way people understand themselves and others, and the continuing importance of reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Barack Obama in the office of \u201cThe Harvard Law Review,\u201d on February 5, 1990<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The project is the latest in a series of creative ventures pursued by Obama since leaving the White House. Higher Ground has produced films, documentaries and podcasts, including the 2021 series Renegades: Born in the USA, which Obama co-hosted with musician Bruce Springsteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new podcast also continues Obama\u2019s long-standing public interest in literature. He regularly shares reading recommendations, including annual summer and end-of-year book lists. His latest summer selections, published in July, included works by Tayari Jones, George Saunders, Elizabeth Strout, Ben Lerner and Colson Whitehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike many of his recent recommendations, the books selected for A Great Book are largely older works. Five were published in the 20th century, while Robinson\u2019s Gilead was released in 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The podcast marks the first Audible project in which Obama himself serves as host under Higher Ground\u2019s partnership with the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n