Former President Barack Obama continues reading from the first volume of his presidential memoirs A Promised Land, offering a unique and deeply personal account of some of the landmarks of his first term at the White House.

In today’s episode, Obama receives an early morning phone call that pre-empts a trip to Oslo for something wholly unexpected. He also sets out to build his reputation overseas with a series of official visits. We eavesdrop on his first meeting with Vladimir Putin at his dacha in Russia where Obama is treated to a lengthy monologue, and touch down in China to discover the rigours of surveillance around Obama’s team and an order by President Hu Jintao to the People’s Liberation Army Orchestra to play one of Obama’s favourite tunes.

Elected in 2008, Obama became the 44th president of the United States and the first African American to sit in the Oval Office. A Promised Land documents the unrelenting demands on the President of the USA and reveals glimpses of family life with Michelle, Malia and Sasha at one of the world’s most famous addresses.

Abridged by Katrin Williams.
Produced by Julian Wilkinson; the editor is Di Speirs. Show less