This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

The Obama years were a historic moment in American history. For nearly ten years, Ben Rhodes was at the center of everything that happened—first as a speechwriter, then as deputy national security advisor and a close presidential aide and confidant. 

From the early days on the campaign trail to the final hours in the Oval Office, Rhodes captures Obama’s historic presidency in his book The World as It Is. Rhodes witnessed the the Arab Spring and later the Osama bin Laden raid in the Situation Room. He was there when the administration reached a nuclear agreement with Iran and also when they led secret negotiations with the Cuban government to normalize relations.

Join us for the full story of Rhodes’ partnership—and, ultimately, friendship—with a man who also happened to be a historic president of the United States.