The president's devotional The daily readings that inspired President Obama

In 2008, DuBois was working as the religious outreach director for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. He prayed for the senator regularly but one day felt called upon to send him a piece of uplifting scripture. Nervously, he waited to see if he had overstepped. Instead, the soon-to-be-president asked for more. Five thousand or so messages later, DuBois received the president's permission to select the best and compile them. The resulting book provides 365 daily lessons containing spiritual and moral guidance appropriate for both gifted world leaders and ordinary people. In it, DuBois, a Newsweek columnist and former executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, combines Bible passages, personal stories, and quotations from artists and a wide array of thinkers, from Anais Nin and John Wayne to Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King Jr. DuBois' writings convey such universal wisdom as choosing words carefully, appreciating the moment, generating peace and love regardless of personal circumstance, and avoiding temptation. This special collection is best savored one day at a time.--DeGrane, Susan Copyright 2010 Booklist

When DuBois (former head, White House Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships) led the religious affairs department of Sen. Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, he received Obama's permission to send him daily devotional email messages. As part of the Obama presidential administration, he continued to do so. He has now selected 365 of those emails, labeled here from January 1 through December 31, to inspire hope, illuminate key principles, or replenish a person's busy life. Even though the book is based upon a calendar year, readers can really dip in as they choose or begin reading on any date. Entries feature a short biblical quotation, sometimes an additional relevant secular quotation, a snippet from a song or verse, a brief daily meditation, and a short prayer. Each month is prefaced by an autobiographical essay by DuBois relating to challenges the Obama administration confronted and how they connect to themes of faith and doubt and of moving forward. VERDICT It is unnecessary for a reader to have any particular theological or political background to gain from the book through the inspirational thoughts and encouragement expressed. Many readers are likely to find themselves attracted to this appealing title.-William Garrett, Troy Univ. Lib., AL (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.