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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Becoming summary
Michelle Obama
The intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
36 mins
Brief summary
Becoming by Michelle Obama is an inspiring memoir that shares her journey from the South Side of Chicago to the White House.
Table of Contents
Becoming
summarized in 12 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 12
An Ambitious Beginning
One of Michelle Obama’s earliest memories is the sound of plinking piano keys. To her ears, this was the sound of ambition. In the room beneath her bedroom, Michelle’s great-aunt Robbie taught piano lessons. On any given day, Michelle could hear the sounds of Robbie’s students desperately fumbling through their songs. The sound of this amateurish music made such an impression on Michelle that, at the age of four, she became ambitious, too. Michelle was certain that she wanted to learn the piano.
This was near the end of the sixties, in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. It was a time of political turmoil and social unrest, but Michelle was too young to have understood much about what was going on outside her home. Her close-knit family included her brother, Craig, who was older by two years; her father, who worked at a water filtration plant and loved the Chicago Cubs baseball team; and her mother, who was a wiz with a sewing needle and active in community fundraising.
One of the things that really brought their family together was music. At home, her father was always playing jazz records. And over at her grandfather’s place, every room had a speaker hooked up to the stereo system; at family gatherings, a cocktail of voices and horns filled the house: Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Miles Davis. It was her grandfather, known to everyone as “Southside,” who bought Michelle her first record: Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book.
But learning how to play music was a different story. What’s more, Robbie was stiff and strict. Her posture was impeccable. Her reading glasses always hung around her neck, threatening scrutiny. She scolded her students often. Nevertheless, Michelle was eager to win her approval.
If you’ve taken piano lessons, you know that one of the first steps is learning to find the middle C. Middle C functions like a musical landmark; knowing where it is enables you to position your hands correctly on the keys. But when you’re four years old and sitting in front of 88 keys, finding middle C is no easy task. Fortunately, on Robbie’s piano, this key was chipped, making it easy to spot.
For the most part, Michelle was a keen student and made quick progress – a little too quick, as far as Robbie was concerned. Before long, Michelle tried to skip ahead to more advanced songs in the playbook. Far from impressing Robbie, this infuriated her, and she insisted Michelle do as she was told and go one step at a time.
Then came Michelle’s first big recital. Once a year, Robbie would present her students to an audience at Roosevelt University’s music hall. Michelle put her hair in pigtails and wore a cute dress. She was ready to shine. But then, when she took her seat at the piano, she froze. There was no chipped key. Where was the middle C?
That’s when Robbie came to the rescue. She calmly walked onto the stage, reached over her shoulder like a guardian angel and pointed. Michelle could now start her recital.
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What is Becoming about?
Becoming (2018) tells the story of Michelle Obama, née Robinson. Born to loving parents in a working-class Chicago neighborhood, she grew into a strong, independent woman, who just happened to meet and fall in love with a man named Barack Obama. This is the life story of a woman who didn’t expect to become the first African-American First Lady, yet found a way to continue exercising her own unique voice under the most unusual and trying of circumstances.
Becoming Review
Becoming (2018) offers a deeply personal account of Michelle Obama's life. Here's why you should read it:
It explores themes of identity, race, and womanhood, resonating with a wide range of readers.
Michelle Obama's candor and warmth make the book both engaging and relatable.
Experience Michelle Obama's extraordinary journey by reading Becoming.
- The book provides a unique, intimate look into the life and experiences of a former First Lady.
Experience Michelle Obama's extraordinary journey by reading Becoming.
Best quote from Becoming
Then, turning back with the smallest smile of encouragement, she left me to play my song.
—Michelle Obama
Who should read Becoming?
- People who enjoy an inspirational story
- Working moms
- Anyone eager to make a difference
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Becoming FAQs
What is the main message of Becoming?
Becoming encourages readers to embrace their unique stories, overcome challenges, and strive for personal growth.
How long does it take to read Becoming?
Reading Becoming usually takes around 12-15 hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Becoming a good book? Is it worth reading?
Becoming is a captivating and inspiring read, offering valuable insights on resilience and self-discovery.
Who is the author of Becoming?
The author of Becoming is Michelle Obama.
How many chapters are in Becoming?
Becoming by Michelle Obama has 24 chapters:
- Becoming Me
- Becoming Us
- Becoming More
- Chicago South Side
- Princeton
- Harvard
- Sidley & Austin
- Marriage
- Motherhood
- Campaigning
- White House
- First Lady
- Health and Fitness
- Education
- Military Families
- Race and Identity
- International Diplomacy
- Family Life
- Personal Style
- Friendships
- Let Girls Learn
- Leaving the White House
- Post-Presidency
- Conclusion
How many pages are in Becoming?
Becoming has 448 pages.
When was Becoming published?
Becoming was published in 2018.
What to read after Becoming?
If you're wondering what to read next after Becoming, here are some recommendations we suggest: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama; A Promised Land by Barack Obama; Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Atomic Habits by James Clear; Spare by Prince Harry; Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle; The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama; The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley; Originals by Adam Grant; The World as It Is by Ben Rhodes.