An autobiography tells the story of a life, while a memoir tells a story from a life, such as touchstone events and turning points of the author’s life. The author of a memoir may be referred to as a “memoirist.”
As I mentioned, Dreams discusses why it isn’t an autobiography in its preface and there are definitely invented characters and names are changed and invented.
A significant part of Obama’s pre-election political strategy was to remain hidden (the international man of mystery) on a personal level. That kept people talking about him and trying to uncover the facts, which kept him in the news, which helped build his name recognition among voters who don’t follow politics closely. He provided just enough personal information to keep people interested. I called it a “name, rank and serial number” strategy. If liberals wanted to take Dreams From My Father literally, that was fine with Obama. If conservatives wanted to call B.S., on the book (which was written 13 years before he decided to run for president) that was also fine with Barry, both ways, they’re still talking about “Obama.”
Thank you for your reply,
The book could then be described as ‘creative strategic fiction’.
When they loose the next election, it will be interesting to see what stories he creates in his next book.
There will be one, i’m sure.
After all as you have implied ,indirectly, it is all about ‘Him’.
The record will ‘have’ to be manipulated straight before he fades, hopefully, into obscurity.
G’night.