Not only was Barack Obama our first black president, he could also become the first former president to receive a $20 million advance for his memoir.
This amount would surpass both Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who earned $7 million and $15 million, respectively, for their post-presidency memoirs, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Bush’s book, Decision Points, sold 2.6 million copies, while Clinton’s book, My Life, sold 2.2 million copies.
Obama’s memoir is reportedly his top priority and he has employed one of his former White House speechwriters, Cody Keenan, to help with the book.
Presidential historian Julian Zelizer told the Hollywood Reporter why he believes Obama’s book will do better than both Bush’s and Clinton’s.
“There is broader fascination with Obama, from conservatives who really hate him as well as liberals who deeply admire what he did,” Zelizer said.
