Former U.S. President Barack Obama seems to be fully embracing his post-presidency life, balancing relaxing vacations with a host of professional pursuits, including the launch of the Obama Foundation. Now it has emerged that the former President is planning another exciting adventure — Obama will begin writing his memoir from an island in the South Pacific.
According to The Hill, Obama has indicated that he plans to spend an extended amount of time on Tetiaroa, a South Pacific island to the north of French Polynesia, in order to begin writing his much-anticipated presidential memoir. Obama has already visited the island once on vacation during his post-presidency period and clearly views it as an ideal place to begin composing his work.
As many know, the Obamas received a highly lucrative book deal in early March. The deal is unprecedented for a presidential memoir, both because it was offered as a joint deal for both Obama and his wife and former First Lady, Michelle, and because of the staggeringly high compensation the publishers offered, much of which will be donated to charity, including the Obama Foundation.
When announcing the Obamas' book deal, Penguin Random House described the former first couple's books as "global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance." An article in The Washington Post concurred, saying that people are very much looking forward to reading the Obama's memoirs to acquire an inside look at the eight years of the Obama presidency.
The expectations for the Obamas' books certainly seem quite high and, thus, it is understandable why the former President is seeking a tranquil, quiet island in the Pacific to begin his memoir. It has not yet been confirmed whether Michelle will be joining him or seeking out a different "writing space" of her own.
Obama also has a strong base from which to begin his memoir, as, according to The New York Times, the former president kept a journal during his presidency in anticipation of a post-presidency book. Thus, Obama's memoir will likely offer extensive detail from a firsthand perspective, thanks to his meticulous journaling.
It is wonderful to see the Obamas embracing post-White House life. I, like many others, certainly look forward to reading their take on their years of leadership in Washington and hope that the island of Tetiaroa inspires the President to write prolifically so Americans can read his new book as soon as possible.
