I'm reading Barack Obama's memoir and appreciating his skill as a writer in making tedious details about his life during his political ascent readable. The book is an indulgent humblebrag about a presidency that would be viewed dimly if weren't for the horror of what followed.
He is a likeable person and his personally story is certainly compelling. But the book also reveals all the character flaws that led to a presidency lacking in boldness and imagination. The description of how he chose his economic team is particularly grating.
Obama wanted to appear "responsible" so he thought he'll go with the safe choice, so he went with the Bill Clinton team, the same guys who had championed the Glass-Steagall Act that contributed to the financial crisis. He describes Larry Summers misogyny as an endearing trait.
Ron Suskind had written a good book early in the Obama presidency which described a president out of his depth, led by an economic team that was sometimes surprised by the things they were able to get away with.
Larry Summers famously told Suskind that they felt like they were "home alone" with no one in charge. This impression of a lack of accountability was also confirmed in @CharlesFerguson's superb Oscar-winning film Inside Job.
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