Jodi Kantor: Journalist and Obama watcher
Jodi Kantor's new book, "The Obamas" examines the first marriage and the family's life in the White House.
Feb 13, 2012
The Boston Sunday Globe
February 5, 2012
By, AMY SUTHERLAND
Not much seems to scare Jodi Kantor. At the ripe age old age of 27 she became the editor of The New York Times arts and leisure section. She jumped from that to covering President Obama. Her new book, "The Obamas" examines the first marriage and the family's life in the White House.
BOOKS: What are you reading in the heat of your book tour?
KANTOR I'm finally getting to "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. I feel really loyal to her because I loved "Amy and Isabelle" a few years ago and have been rooting for her ever since.
BOOKS: What books did you read for your book?
KANTOR: The one book that really inspired me is "No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Even though it's a book about a presidency it gives the president and first lady equal narrative weight. It looks at the Roosevelts as whole people. I also liked "Grace and Power" by Sally Bedell Smith,
about the Kennedy White House. I loved that book in part because of its incredibly sensitive treatment of JFKs affairs. As a journalist covering Obama, you also have to reckon with the president's book, "Dreams From My Father." I can't tell you what my
copy looks like, so many scribbles, Post-its, and underlines. It's a good time to re-read that book because the man in the book sounds completely different from the guy who gave the state of the union address.
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Feb 13, 2012
The Boston Sunday Globe
February 5, 2012
By, AMY SUTHERLAND
Not much seems to scare Jodi Kantor. At the ripe age old age of 27 she became the editor of The New York Times arts and leisure section. She jumped from that to covering President Obama. Her new book, "The Obamas" examines the first marriage and the family's life in the White House.
BOOKS: What are you reading in the heat of your book tour?
KANTOR I'm finally getting to "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. I feel really loyal to her because I loved "Amy and Isabelle" a few years ago and have been rooting for her ever since.
BOOKS: What books did you read for your book?
KANTOR: The one book that really inspired me is "No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Even though it's a book about a presidency it gives the president and first lady equal narrative weight. It looks at the Roosevelts as whole people. I also liked "Grace and Power" by Sally Bedell Smith,
about the Kennedy White House. I loved that book in part because of its incredibly sensitive treatment of JFKs affairs. As a journalist covering Obama, you also have to reckon with the president's book, "Dreams From My Father." I can't tell you what my
copy looks like, so many scribbles, Post-its, and underlines. It's a good time to re-read that book because the man in the book sounds completely different from the guy who gave the state of the union address.
Read More