When the book first came out, there was considerable interest about it in India mainly due to Obama’s comments about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. However, in the context of the entire book, Obama’s India trip is wrapped up in fewer than half a dozen pages and apart from citing how Gandhian thoughts influenced him from an early age and some sincere praise for Dr Man Mohan Singh, the author doesn’t have any observations, thoughts or insights of substance about India to rate a mention. That said, the endeavour of writing such a voluminous book to explain the nuts and bolts behind one’s political decision-making is an exercise that many Indian politicians of present day might find well worth their time, especially in the light of the alleged bias of mainstream media while covering sensitive political issues.

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