(CNN) - The White House has said President Obama plans to play golf and spend time with his family during his week away from Washington.
But it appears the president also wants to get some reading in: a lot of it.
White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters Monday Obama's vacation reading list comprises five books, including tomes from New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and historian David McCullough.
In all, the books on Obama's list total around 2,300 pages - meaning the president would have to read close to 300 pages each day of his week-long vacation to polish off the list.
Should Obama prefer to listen to the books on his iPod, four are available in audio format with a total running time of nearly 40 hours.
Full list according to the White House:
"The Way Home" by George Pelecanos
"Hot, Flat, and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman
"Lush Life" by Richard Price
"Plainsong" by Kent Haruf
"John Adams" by David McCullough
From CNN Politics
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Why doesn't he just read the books off of his teleprompter like he does everything else in life? This boob deserves a vacation? He's created the largest economic disaster in our nation's history, he's increased racial tensions, he's insulted our allies, he's broken the law with numerous firings, and he's handing our tax dollars to unions and ACORN affiliates...a vacation? He deserves impeachment.
Enjoy your well deserved vacation MR. PRESIDENT.
Wow... A president who actually likes to read and stay sharp. FINALLY!
To those that say we are paying for his vacation and trips that he has taken in the past, that is false. He and his family are paying for their vacation out of their own pocket, lest we forget that we actually pay the president. Second, his last vacation was to Hawaii last summer, when he was running for President. Most people take a vacation once a year, the President is no exception. And to those who say that he should read the healthcare reform bill to udnerstand why tax-paying Americans reject it, are you so incompetant as to infer that those who support it are not tax-paying citizens. Also, all of Congress is on leave as well, so even if he was not vacationing, he would not be able to accomplish anything because of the August leave Congress has. Also, even if the Democrats hold the majority, it is the responsibilty of the elected officals to act on behalf of their constituants, and so if a majority of people in the US, myself no included, do not want the healthcare reform bill passed than it matters not that the elected officials are Democrats, because they should be voting the way their district wants them to.
Republicans are just mad because we have a president who can read and retain what he has read. If Obama can read roughly 2000 pages over a week, republicans should surely be able to read a 500-600 page bill in a couple of days.
The comments of the Obamahaters are very scaring.
They still think they have the greatest economy on earth,
the greatest healthcare, the cleanest air and the smartest
army.
In fact, America has become a third world country on all this issues.
Dont listen to countrys with cheap and good healthcare for everyone.
Dont listen to countrys who are far ahead on economics and clean energy. Dont listen to countrys who are talking with there enemies.
Just stay just as you are, or.............. listen and trust your once in your life time President Barack Obama who is on the right track on all these issues but he is in great danger in his own country..
He deserves a place on Mount Rushmore after his 2nd term.
Now CNN post this comment for once!
How about reading the budget projections to come up with some sort of reason for the "Oh, by the way: the deficit will be $2 Trillion worse than we expected."
Yes, the Big O is doing such a great job: TARP uncontrolled, Stimulus ineffective, Cash for Clunker massively mismanaged; Cap & Trade hung up, health care is a shambles. I'm sure the Captain of the Titanic could have used a vacation about the time his feet started getting wet, too.
it's so interesting to see obama's reading list. george bush #2 read all sorts of things that were definitely way over his head. at least obama reads what he likes.
It is not about what Obama is reading but WHAT YOU SHOULD BE READING.
Please, pick up a copy of "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky, it is the Barak Obama presidency play book. You will learn a million times more about the real Obama from this book than dreams of my father and the other elitist self serving drivel he has put out.
He should also read "Living Debt Free" by Mary Hunt.
Obama/Biden 2012
Read the healthcare package you fool! He'll do as ususal, cram it down our throats WITHOUT reading anything! And, by the way, I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN like all you liberal idiots think they are the only onnes against Obamacare. Republicans are the only ones with any sense – think I'll join that party!
Seems the GOP and conservatives are still stuck on "Everybody Poops" and practicing throwing it every day.
Bush gave up golf! Maybe Obama should too.
Being President must suck. Even what you read is fodder for criticism.
My suggestions for Mr. Obama:
-The Declaration of Independence (the full length)
-The U.S. Constitution
-Atlas Shrugged
-The health-care reform bill
-The Dummies Guide to Balancing a Budget
"The more numerous the laws that exist in a state, the more corrupt it becomes." Tacitus
I remember that John Adams was called an elitist and Jefferson a man of the people, when, it turns out, the opposite was true for both of them.
He's reading – Presidency for Idiots.
Funny, I would have thought he would be reading the Anarchists Cook Book or How to Destroy American Capitalism!
Maybe he should read some of Abraham Lincolns' writings. He compares himself to Lincoln all the time, but he certainly doesn't believe what Lincoln believed.
Enjoy a well deserve vacation, read you books, relax, and return refreshed and energized.
One more round to deal with the Arrogance that remains in this country.
I hope that the "well to do" Democrats in Congress have sleepless nights and remain restless until they have make the right decisions to have heathcare pass.
WHY DID WE FOUGHT SO HARD TO HAVE CONTROL .
Are these people ever NOT on vacation. First Eruope, then Yellowstone, then whitewater rafting in Wyoming, then the Grand Canyon, and this week......Martha's Vineyard. What a SWEET GIG!! Too bad we all have to pay for it.
(You may notice the ol' community organizer isn't spending much time in troubled south Chicago these days.)
Obamma needs a break from destroying the country!
Who wants to know.
Maybe if he reads the Bible he'd know that "Bearing False Witness" and "Political Disagreement and Debate" are not synonymous.
Have a great vacation Mr. President!! And enjoy every precious moments with your beautiful family!!
You deserve this break!!!!