cover image Obama on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President

Obama on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President

Justin A. Frank, M.D. . Free Press, $26 (256p) ISBN 978-1-4516-2063-4

As in his previous book, Bush on the Couch, psychiatrist Frank analyzes Obama by reviewing his speeches, memoirs, and behaviors. Frank delves into Obama's youth%E2%80%94his reconciliation of his biracial identity, non-traditional upbringing, and travels%E2%80%94to paint a detailed portrait of a president who is charismatic, well-intentioned, and the ultimate consensus builder. The critical, though clearly liberal, Frank returns to key themes regarding race and Obama's relationship with his father, demonstrating how those factors have affected past policy decisions and will probably influence future ones, while also addressing the rise of the Tea Party, and his success in killing Osama Bin Laden. While the text becomes repetitive, it may satisfy readers curious about the psychology of their leadership. (Oct.)