Exclusive
Book preprint
Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen in conversation – about politics and private matters
Two world stars and friends: Bruce Springsteen (left) and Barack Obama.
© Rob DeMartin
Both were outsiders, both became world stars and both are friends. Now a book appears with conversations by Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen – about politics and private matters. Of the star publishes exclusive excerpts in advance.
When one had his first hits, the other was still a freshman. At the end of the 70s and beginning of the 80s, Bruce Springsteen freed himself from the confines of his homeland in the east of the USA with the help of music, while Barack Obama, also from a humble background, embarked on an academic career. The outsiders became world stars. Shortly before the younger of them moved into the White House in 2008, they had met since Obama left office, and he has an “unlikely friendship” with the twelve-year-old rock legend – this is also the name of the first episode of her podcast “Renegades:” Born in the USA “.
In eight episodes they talk about identity, the future of their country, their marriages – and the question of what makes a good father. This has now resulted in a book that is also called “Renegades: Born in the USA” and will appear in German at the end of October. Of the star publishes exclusive excerpts in advance – you can read them in full here.
In private: Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen
“Despite all the external success, Bruce and I both agree that the most important anchor over the years has been our families,” says Barack Obama. “We were lucky enough to find remarkable, strong, independent women who inspire and challenge and ground us – and who tell us in the face when we talk nonsense.”
In general, private life. How do superstars do when they’re with the family and just being Barack person or Bruce person? With them it sounds like this:
Springsteen: “On the way you are the king.”
Obama: “And at home you are not the king.”
Springsteen: “Right. When you come back, you are not the king. You are the chauffeur! In the morning you are the breakfast cook. And it is like this: You have to be at a point in your life where you love it.”
The German edition of “Renegades – Born in the USA” has 320 pages, costs 42 euros and will be published on October 26th at Penguin Verlag.
© Penguin / Random House
“Renegades – Born in the USA” provides deep insights into the private life of the former US President and “Boss” Bruce Springsteen. For example, how Obama’s children dealt with the fact that Secret Service always had to come first before his daughters wanted to visit friends to play. Or how Springsteen apologized to his young son for believing he taught him the wrong things.