"I found myself asking whether those impulses: violence, greed, corruption, nationalism, racism, and religious intolerance, the all-too-human desire to beat back our own uncertainty and mortality and sense of insignificance by subordinating others, were too strong for any democracy to permanently contain."

President Obama gives a courageous and honest accounting of the first term of his presidency.

To have spent 30 hours listening to Obama tell me about his ambition, goals, challenges, and the reality of what it was like to be the nation's first Black president was a special experience indeed. At times I was infuriated, other times I celebrated, plenty of times I laughed, and a few times I cried. Beyond intelligent and well-spoken, I really miss him as the leader of our country.

The juxtaposition of remembering my own experience as a citizen while learning his perspective enriched me. So accessible, I felt like I was there for the hope of his campaign, the financial mess he inherited, the depression he avoided, the ACA he wouldn't give up on, the wars he waged, the determination of the conservatives to see him fail, the international relations he both excelled at and struggled with, the environmental protections he fought for, how his family was impacted and changed, and the blatant resurgence of racism and hate his power inspired, it was just exquisite and heartbreaking and real.

Thank you President Obama for your service and every attempt you made to make our country better.