Obama is the new Harry Potter

The former president is making book publishing an event again

Barack Obama.
(Image credit: Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock)

When Barack and Michelle Obama signed their joint $60 million book deal in 2017, two months after moving out of the White House, industry insiders were initially stunned and skeptical. Not only was it the highest advance in the history of book publishing, it was also more than twice what the Obamas had been expected to get. Publishers Weekly called the deal a "mystery" and a "gamble"; Vox doubtfully calculated that the couple would need to "sell at least several million copies all together" for it to be worth it. Others pointed out that Bill Clinton comparatively earned just $15 million for his 2004 presidential memoir, which had been record-breaking at its time.

But nearly four years — and one Becoming by Michelle Obama — later, there is no more "mystery." Rather, Barack Obama's post-presidential legacy looks very much like it might be his literary star power.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.