This characterization of Obama attempts to show his breadth and depth, but ends up with bits of details, grand generalities, and a lack of central thesis. Three pages ramble through bites of his life as child, college student, political neophyte, husband and father, and presidential campaigner, couched in a laconic, too-familiar tone that sounds pretentious.

Powell paints a humanizing portrait of Barack Obama that also gives nod to his strategic, politically savvy side. Though the piece does not intentionally draw comparisons with his (initially) more famous opponent, Hillary Clinton, one comes away from the article with a sense of the candidate as suggested by the title, "Calm in the Swirl of History. Humility comes through, as does a certain steeliness.

On the whole, an excellent article. Still and as one reads, the issue of whether this is a NEWS and information piece or an opinion piece does creep in. Some carelessly chosen descriptive words, such as "aloof," or "slow to recognize," or even "he is a liberal" can turn a piece with merit into an irresponsible and controversial article, particularly when the writer does not present facts that substantiate his or her statements and claims. More care and discipline must be applied to embody a sense of journalistic impartiality, in this article and in general. It is critically important on anything and all published by the New York Times.

This article is fiction with some quotations attached. Like too many NY Times articles it starts out like a novel. Unlike most of the others, it doesn't get any better. It puts a warm glow on a rehash of Obama's life without adding any new or interesting insight.