Hail To The Chief

With great inspiration and imagination, Robert A. Stovall, Ph.D wrote Hail to the Chief: A Tribute to President Obama
.   I was excited to receive a copy of this book signed by the author in the mail!   Published in 2009, the book has an unusual format; it presents an imaginary dialogue with Barack Obama during the primary and general election. "The Voice" asks "Mr. O" penetrating questions, which President Obama, our first African American president, answers with his usual intelligence and eloquence.
We also hear fictional comments from people of the past (historical figures) and present, such as John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey, and many others.  Hail To The Chief is serious in tone but has touches of humor. For example, we hear the imaginary reactions of past presidents:

Ronald Reagan says to Barack Obama, "Well I guess it's alright - but, but I just don't know what to say to Nancy", and Richard Nixon says, "You 'tricked' them, didn't you? Tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky!!!!".

And from singers:

Singer Marvin Gaye says, "What's going on? Somebody please tell me what's going on?" and The Temptations say (or sing) "We have got sunshine on a cloudy day".

I think this would be an especially engaging book for students, which would lead to a lot of discussion, or anyone with an interest in great leaders.  It's enjoyable to read, but at the same time it says a lot about racism, civil rights, and the hopes and dreams of the present and future.

Dr. Stovall grew up in rural Mississippi and was a Los Angeles educator for thirty years.  He's the founder and president of the Stovall Educational Uplift Foundation, a non-profit organization.  Proceeds from this book will benefit the Stovall Foundation's Scholarship Fund.

Special thanks to Robert A. Stovall, Ph.D and Bostick Communications for sending me this book.