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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 2 March 2017
Barack and Michelle Obama have book deals

HILLEL ITALIE book is about food and
AP National Writer gardening, “American
NEW YORK (AP) — Grown,” released in 2012.
Barack and Michelle Both Obamas are widely
Obama have book deals. popular with the public in
The former president and the U.S. and abroad.
first lady have signed with Titles and release dates
Penguin Random House, were not immediately
the publisher announced available.
Tuesday. The books will reflect on
Financial terms were not the Obamas’ White House
disclosed for the books, years, although Penguin
which several publishers Random House declined
had competed for, al- to give further details.
though the deals are likely A publishing official with
in the tens of millions of knowledge of the nego-
dollars. tiations said that Barack
Both Obamas have pub- Obama’s book will be
lished through Crown, a a straightforward mem-
Penguin Random House oir about his presidency,
imprint. while Michelle Obama
But Penguin Random plans to write an inspira-
House declined comment tional work for young peo-
on which imprint or im- ple that will draw upon her
prints the books would be life story.
released through. This Sept. 17, 2016 file photo shows President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama The official was not autho-
at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 46th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix
“We are absolutely thrilled Awards Dinner in Washington. rized to discuss the nego-
to continue our publishing Associated Press tiations and asked not to
partnership with President each of their books global ham Clinton and Laura is for books that are among be identified.
and Mrs. Obama,” Pen- publishing events of un- Bush. the most anticipated in Presidential memoirs have
guin Random House CEO precedented scope and The Obamas plans to do- memory from a former contributed little to the
Markus Dohle said in a significance.” nate a “significant portion” president and first lady. literary canon, a tradi-
statement. The Obamas were repre- of their author proceeds Barack Obama is widely tion many believe Barack
“With their words and their sented in negotiations by to charity, including to regarded as one of the Obama will change.
leadership, they changed Robert Barnett and De- the Obama Foundation. finest prose stylists among But recent books have
the world, and every day, neen Howell of Williams & Barack Obama’s book is modern presidents, and found large audiences:
with the books we pub- Connolly. a strong contender to at- his million-selling “Dreams Clinton’s “My Life” and
lish at Penguin Random Barnett has worked tract the largest advance from My Father” and “The George W. Bush’s “Deci-
House, we strive to do the on deals with Barack for any ex-president; the Audacity of Hope” are sion Points” were million
same. Obama’s two immediate previous record is believed considered essential to his sellers.
Now, we are very much predecessors, Bill Clinton to be $15 million for Bill rise to the White House. Books by first ladies, includ-
looking forward to working and George W. Bush, and Clinton’s “My Life.” Michelle Obama has giv- ing Hillary Clinton’s “Living
together with President with Michelle Obama’s The unique dual arrange- en few details about her History,” have been de-
and Mrs. Obama to make predecessors Hillary Rod- ment announced Tuesday time as first lady: Her only pendable best-sellers.q

Oscar winner Affleck speaks

about sexual harassment claims

NEW YORK (AP) — In an the allegations. time.”q
interview following his Os- In an interview posted
car win on Sunday, Casey Tuesday night by The Bos-
Affleck addressed earlier ton Globe, Affleck said, “I
sexual harassment claims believe that any kind of
against him and said “ev- mistreatment of anyone for
eryone deserves to be any reason is unaccept-
treated with respect in able and abhorrent, and
the workplace and every- everyone deserves to be
where else.” treated with respect in the
The “Manchester by the workplace and anywhere
Sea” star had largely evad- else.”
ed questions about the two Asked about those who
lawsuits brought against have criticized his Acade-
him while making the 2010 my Award win, Affleck said Casey Affleck poses in the
mockumentary “I’m Still there was “nothing I can press room with the award for
Here,” which he directed. do about it other than live best actor in a leading role
The settlement of each my life the way I know I live for “Manchester by the Sea”
at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb.
case prevents each party it and to speak to what my 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre
from discussing the accu- own values are and how in Los Angeles.
sations. Affleck has denied I try to live by them all the Associated Press