Penguin Group Press Release on Obama: The Historic Journey

Obama: The Historic Journey, A new groundbreaking book covering Barack Obama's life from childhood through his inauguration as the 44^th President of the United States, to be published by Callaway Arts & Entertainment and The New York Times in collaboration with Riverhead Books on Presidents' Day 2009

NEW YORK, December 22, 2008 - OBAMA: The Historic Journey, a new groundbreaking, beautifully written and illustrated book covering Barack Obama's life, from his childhood through his inauguration as the 44^th president of the United States, will be published in hardcover on Presidents' Day, Feb. 16, 2009, by Callaway Arts & Entertainment and The New York Times and distributed by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), it was announced today by Riverhead Books Vice President and Publisher Geoffrey Kloske and Nicholas Callaway, founder and publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment. North American rights were acquired from Scott Moyers of The Wylie Agency.

The election of Barack Obama marked an unprecedented step forward in American history, shattering racial barriers and forever altering the political landscape. The New York Times, winner of 96 Pulitzer Prizes, has chronicled the exceptional moments of Mr. Obama's life, from when he was first elected president of the Harvard Law Review in 1990, to his memorable speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, his campaign for the presidency and his jubilant victory.

- Introduction by Executive Editor Bill Keller
- Managing Editor Jill Abramson's insightful essay on Mr. Obama's life, rise to power, and election
- Profiles of important figures in Mr. Obama's life, including Michelle Obama, his daughters, grandmother, mother and father, as well as some of the campaign's controversial figures, including Rev. Jeremiah Wright
- Reporting by prominent Times journalists such as Janny Scott, Jodi Kantor and Adam Nagourney among others
- Original commentary by Times columnists Frank Rich, Thomas L. Friedman, Roger Cohen and Bob Herbert
- Selected essays by Times columnists Paul Krugman, Maureen Dowd, David Brooks and Gail Collins
- Excerpts from Mr. Obama's most important speeches, including the full text of his Inaugural Address
- More than 200 full-color photographs by New York Times photographers
- Maps, charts, and graphics from The Times

This landmark publication is being released on a condensed schedule. On Inauguration Day, photographers and journalists from The Times will be working side by side with the Callaway editorial team, gathering in real time images and words from this historic moment in American history. OBAMA: The Historic Journey, which will go on sale nationally just three weeks after Inauguration Day, will be the most comprehensive and current chronicle of Obama's life in words and pictures. The final chapter will include the full Inaugural Address and a 32-page photo essay by a team of 12 New York Times staff photographers specially assigned to cover the events of the day as they unfold.

"Given The Times's extraordinary coverage, in both words and pictures, of the presidential campaign, and Callaway's superb track record of beautifully designed books, we see this as both a natural fit editorially and a remarkable opportunity to seize a significant moment in history," Scott H. Heekin-Canedy, the president and general manager of The New York Times, said. "All of us here are extremely excited about it."

Geoffrey Kloske, Vice President and Publisher, Riverhead Books, said, "We have the highest regard for Callaway's top-tier team and The New York Times' prize-winning editors, writers and photographers. To be part of such an incredible team and a landmark publishing event is extremely exciting to everyone at Riverhead."

Nicholas Callaway, Founder and Publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, said, "It is an honor to work with the extraordinary editors and photographers of The New York Times on a book that commemorates this singular chapter in American history. We are delighted to have Riverhead and Penguin Group (USA) as our partner in releasing this book on a schedule of unprecedented speed."

The adult trade edition of OBAMA: The Historic Journey will be first published in a large-format (10 x 11 7/8 inches) jacketed hardcover volume. It will include 240 pages, with more than 200 full-color photographs and approximately 35,000 words of text ($40.00 suggested retail price).

The young readers hardcover edition of OBAMA: The Historic Journey will be specifically written and designed to appeal to and inspire the 8-12 age group, with age-appropriate text and a different selection of photographs and illustrations. It will be published in a slightly smaller format (9 x 10 7/8 inches) and include 96 pages, with 200 full-color photographs ($24.95 suggested retail price).