Page 14 - aruba-today-20200918

A14 PEOPLE & ARTS
Friday 18 September 2020
First volume of Barack Obama's memoir coming Nov. 17

By HILLEL ITALIE that won't depend on any consequence," Daunt said
AP National Writer single president, but on all in a statement. "That it will
NEW YORK (AP) — The first of us as engaged citizens." sell as no other book has
volume of former President Obama's book, like his pre- done since July 21, 2007
Barack Obama's mem- vious ones, will be released is immensely cheering to
oir is coming out Nov. 17, by Crown, a division of Pen- booksellers."
two weeks after Election guin Random House. "'Dreams from My Father'
Day. It's called "A Prom- The 768-page book is the introduced us to a little
ised Land" and will cover most anticipated presiden- known US Senator and to a
his swift and historic rise to tial memoir in memory, as writer of poetic grace. The
the White House and his first much or more because of Audacity of Hope gave
term in office. the quality of the writing thrilling vision to his ambi-
The publication date for than for any possible reve- tions for political office. A
the second volume has not lations. He has been called Promised Land now offers
yet been determined. the most literary president us a grand, lyrical narrative
"I've spent the last few since Abraham Lincoln and of his Presidency. This will
years reflecting on my pres- has already written two be a book of rare conse-
idency, and in 'A Promised highly praised, million-sell- quence.
Land' I've tried to provide ing books: "Dreams from My But "A Promised Land" will
an honest accounting of Father" and "The Audac- face challenges far differ-
my presidential campaign ity of Hope," both of which ent from most presidential
and my time in office: the have been cited as aiding memoirs, and even from
key events and people his campaign in 2008 and former first lady Michelle
who shaped it; my take making him the country's Obama's blockbuster book,
on what I got right and first Black president. "Becoming," which came
the mistakes I made; and Even with a substantial list out two years ago and
the political, economic, price of $45, "A Promised has sold more than 10 mil-
and cultural forces that my Land" is virtually guaran- lion copies. Because of the
team and I had to confront teed to sell millions of cop- pandemic, the former pres-
then — and that as a na- ies, and has an announced ident will likely be unable to
tion we are grappling with first printing of 3 million. match Michelle Obama's
still," Obama said in a state- Barnes & Noble CEO spectacular, all-star arena
ment Thursday. James Daunt likened the tour. Barack Obama also
"In the book, I've also tried This photo provided by Random House shows the cover of “A enthusiasm for Obama's may find his memoir com-
to give readers a sense Promised Land." book, which seems well ing out at a time when the
of the personal journey Associated Press positioned to become the Nov. 3 election is still unde-
that Michelle and I went best-selling presidential cided and the country far
through during those years, going through such enor- heal the divisions in our memoir in history, to the fi- more preoccupied with
with all the incredible highs mous upheaval, the book country going forward and nal volume of J.K. Rowling's who the next president will
and lows. And finally, at offers some of my broader make our democracy work "Harry Potter" series. be than with events of the
a time when America is thoughts on how we can for everybody — a task "This will be a book of rare past. q

New box set has trove of rare,

unreleased Elton John songs

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elton to 2019 and his early col- "I always want to push for-
John is opening up his vault laborations with songwriter ward with everything I do
and releasing an expansive Bernie Taupin. and look to the future, but
collection of rarely heard Two of the CDs include having time during lock-
and unreleased tracks. songs specially chosen by down to take stock and
John announced Thurs- John, along with narration pull these moments from
day that the eight-CD col- about them by the six-time my memory from each era
lection, "Elton: Jewel Box," Grammy winner. has been a joy."
will be released on Nov. "Hearing these long lost No price for the collection
In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Elton John performs "(I'm Gonna) 13. The collection includes tracks again, I find it hard was announced.q
Love Me Again," nominated for the award for best original song, "Sing Me No Sad Songs," an to comprehend just how
from "Rocketman" at the Oscars in Los Angeles. unreleased studio demo prolific Bernie and I were
Associated Press Solution Sudoku
from 1969. during the early days. The
The "Jewel Box" collec- songs just poured out of us,
tion includes 148 songs, 60 and the bands were just
of them unreleased, that unbelievable in the studio,"
span recordings from 1965 John said in a statement.

Puzzle on Page 13