Jeanne Marie Laskas talks to DeRay Mckesson at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Every day, President Obama received 10,000 letters from ordinary Americans; every night he read ten, and he wrote back. In To Obama, Jeanne Marie Laskas describes this unique correspondence, interviewing the letter-writers, White House staff and the President himself. Jeanne Marie Laskas joins DeRay Mckesson for a lively and surprising conversation about how the book became a story of the state of a nation: revealing the love, joy, hate and despair – and one man’s special relationship with the American people. This event was filmed live at the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Book Festival News

Celebrating the 2024 Book Festival Celebrating the 2024 Book Festival
Monday 26 August

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Watch more

Bonnie Greer (2014 event) Bonnie Greer (2014 event) Best known in the UK as a dispassionate commentator on BBC Newsnight Review and Question Time – even when sitting beside the leader of the BNP – Bonnie Greer has now written the first volume of her memoirs, A Parallel Life. In this event she… Alberto Manguel and Miguel Syjuco (2010 event) Alberto Manguel and Miguel Syjuco (2010 event) Two writers of international significance discussing their latest novels and literary festivals… How to book on the first day of sales How to book on the first day of sales We're expecting a lot of demand for tickets on our opening day of sales (Tuesday 25 June in 2019). To give everyone a fair chance, there will be a queue to book at the counter, over the phone and on our website. If you plan to book online, this short… Allan Little, Sheena McDonald & Gail Robinson at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Allan Little, Sheena McDonald & Gail Robinson at the Edinburgh International Book Festival Twenty years ago, broadcaster Sheena McDonald was hit by a police van, narrowly escaping death. Her recovery led one doctor to describe her as ‘a walking miracle’. In her book Rebuilding Life after Brain Injury, she recalls the accident and its aftermath… Doug Johnstone, Val McDermid, Ambrose Parry & Mary Paulson-Ellis: Summer Crime Wave Doug Johnstone, Val McDermid, Ambrose Parry & Mary Paulson-Ellis: Summer Crime Wave A few months ago there was a minor storm in the Twitterverse when a group of Scottish authors realised their books would all be published on more or less the same day in August. How could we ignore this explosion of Scottish crime writing? Today we’re… Salman Rushdie with Allan Little: Standing in the Rubble of Truth Salman Rushdie with Allan Little: Standing in the Rubble of Truth World famous for his novels, Salman Rushdie is the author of fourteen works of fiction including the Booker Prize-winning Midnight’s Children and his most recent book Quichotte, shortlisted for the Booker in 2019. Alongside his storytelling, Rushdie’s non-… Mexican Writing, An Insider's View with Gabriel Orozco - Essays (2015 Event) Mexican Writing, An Insider's View with Gabriel Orozco - Essays (2015 Event) Artist Gabriel Orozco brings us two of Mexico's most highly-respected and best-known authors. Sergio González Rodríguez is a novelist and essayist famous for his groundbreaking writing about the serial murders of young women in the… Jeff VanderMeer: The End of All Things? Jeff VanderMeer: The End of All Things? When he first came to Edinburgh some years ago to discuss his speculative eco thriller Annihilation, we suspected that Jeff VanderMeer would become one of the best-respected science fiction authors of his age. What we didn’t realise was that Cli-Fi… Kezia Dugdale & Lesley Riddoch: Once Upon a Time in Holyrood Kezia Dugdale & Lesley Riddoch: Once Upon a Time in Holyrood When Humza Yousaf became the sixth First Minister of Scotland, he promised, "new leadership, a fresh start for Scotland" – but amid the enquiries and intrigue, what does that really mean? Join our panel including former Leader of Scottish Labour, Kezia… 2023 International Booker Prize Winners: Georgi Gospodinov & Angela Rodel 2023 International Booker Prize Winners: Georgi Gospodinov & Angela Rodel The International Booker is the annual award for the best work of fiction translated into English from another language. With an equal prize to both author and translator, this is the most important prize for translated fiction. The shortlist comprised…