El Podcast

E41: Obama’s Real Legacy? His Biographer Tells a Different Story

Episode Summary

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Garrow joins us to discuss Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama, his deeply researched, 1,000-page biography that took nearly a decade to complete. Garrow shares what he uncovered about Obama’s early ambitions, his transformation from idealistic organizer to calculating politician, and why so many of his former allies feel left behind. We talk about Obama’s relationships, the shaping of his public image, his post-presidency life among billionaires, and how history might judge his time in office. Whether you admire or critique him, Garrow’s insights offer a rare, unvarnished look at one of the most enigmatic figures in modern American politics.

Episode Notes

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Garrow discusses the making of Barack Obama, his complex transformation, and the enduring impact of his presidency.

Guest bio: David Garrow is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and biographer best known for Bearing the Cross, his biography of Martin Luther King Jr., and Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama, a deeply researched, 1,000-page account of Obama’s early life and political ascent.

Discussed topics:

The writing and research process behind Rising Star
Obama’s transformation from community organizer to calculated political figure
His early relationships, ambitions, and identity struggles
Post-presidency lifestyle and criticism from former supporters
Comparisons between Obama and other presidents, including Carter and Biden
The challenges of being a public figure in modern politics

Three best quotes:

"I think who they are now bears almost no resemblance to who they were in 2003."
"The fundamental lesson of Rising Star is that when someone decides they want to be a politician, that’s a very different choice than being Martin Luther King."
"Carter’s post-presidency was a more notable human achievement than what he did as president—and Barack could’ve done the same."