Summary

In chapter 8 Obama reflects on the first steps his campaign team took after securing the primary nomination. He describes patching up his relationship with Hillary Clinton, and his esteem for John McCain. Obama then embarks on a tour of various Middle Eastern and European countries along with Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed in order to meet with foreign leaders and discuss foreign relations. Obama meets with the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, and then the Shiite prime minister of Iraq, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. During his trip Obama also meets with General David Petraeus, the Commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq. Together they discuss the future of America’s military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, but ultimately they are unable to understand each other’s perspectives.

After his return from this diplomatic tour, Obama spends a week’s vacation in Hawaii with his family...