Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President

Every day, President Obama reads ten letters selected from thousands that arrive at the White House, representing the full spectrum of American voices writing to their president. Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow traces the journeys of ten specific letters that prompted personal responses from Obama, uncovering the deeply personal stories behind each writer's decision to reach out. From struggling families facing foreclosure to veterans grappling with war's aftermath, these correspondents represent diverse backgrounds united by their belief that their president might listen to their pleas, frustrations, and hopes for the country.

Robertson Dean's measured narration perfectly captures the intimate nature of these American stories, allowing each letter writer's distinct voice and circumstances to emerge with clarity and dignity. His steady pacing gives proper weight to both the personal struggles described in the letters and the broader political context surrounding them. Dean navigates seamlessly between Saslow's journalistic observations and the raw emotion embedded in the correspondence itself. The audio format transforms these written exchanges into compelling human drama, making the distance between ordinary citizens and the presidency feel surprisingly small and remarkably profound.