Barack Obama For Beginners: An Essential Guide is the most concise and reliable short biography available on the 44th President of the United States — from his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia education at Columbia and Harvard work as a community organizer writer teacher lawyer and politician in Illinois to his historic campaign for President. Barack Obama For Beginners keeps the focus on the man and his record — accomplishments and missteps praise and criticism — to allow readers to gain a balanced understanding of President Obama as they follow his rise to the White House. Entertaining illustrations enliven the reading experience and highlight important details.