The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Review
Barack Obama’s first book, Dreams from My Father, was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race, identity, and community. With his second book The Audacity of Hope, Obama engages themes raised in his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, shares personal views on faith and values and offers a vision of the future that involves repairing a “political process that is broken” and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch wi…
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All too often here on Amazon, we review only those books and authors with which we totally agree…or totally disagree…and give little regard to the quality of the actual contents of the book. And then, our fellow Amazon viewers come along and rate our reviews strictly on the basis of their own partisan biases. This is not very helpful.
I set out to read and review Senator Barack Obama’s latest book, not because I agree with everything he has to say, but because in some ways, I had respected him because he seemed to be a thoughtful and eloquent American with a compelling story. I give the book 4 stars for style and significance in our culture, but much less for substance.
The Senator has a generally warm and inviting style of communicating that portrays himself as an agent of change in American politics. In terms of writing style, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE is a good, though sometimes “preachy” read; at times, it seems a bit too earnest or striving for political correctness. Obama deserves credit for being able to discuss his values and faith in a manner that is more comfortable than many of his political contemporaries. And, in the book, he does a reasonable job of articulating why and how his faith and values cause him to think and act in the way that he does.
At times, the reader may wonder if he is too ambitious – or even naive. One can respect his energy and commitment to change, even as one firmly disagrees with his policies and plans.
And, I certainly do take issue with some of the Senator’s actual policies and worldview that he discusses. His health care plans may sound noble, but they would likely lead to significantly decreased quality and choice for most Americans and soaring taxes and budget deficits…big government at its worst. Furthermore, given the overall poor performance of government in other programs, do you really want government managing your health care? Another issue: while I do believe there is strong evidence to suggest a warming in the earth’s climate, Senator Obama and I would disagree on the primary causes and “cures” for this warming. I don’t believe that cutting taxes for those who pay taxes (aka “the rich”) is unfair; I may go so far as to say that Obama’s affinity for radical and government-forced redistribution of wealth reeks of socialism (though it’s socialism masked by a warm smile). Another point: I don’t believe that a “pro-choice” position offers adequate choice for the unborn child; Obama’s rhetoric in the book is moderate, but his voting record on abortion is extreme. Some of his associations are troubling, particularly with some radicals who seem to have shaped a significant portion of his worldview and helped launch his career.
I do agree with Senator Obama that America must overcome our addiction to foreign oil, though his opposition to many reasonable remedies is curious. I do agree that more emphasis needs to be placed on strengthening families and upholding traditional values; on reducing teen pregnancy and the root causes of poverty. However, it is difficult to align many of Obama’s expressed ideas here with the numerous radical and ridiculous statements of Obama’s pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright – a man who preached one sermon that inspired the title of this book.
Senator Obama’s stated efforts to transcend partisanship are laudable, but it would be helpful if he acknowledged that partisanship is not only the province of “right wing Republicans” but also a staple of many of his Democratic brethren.
In the meantime, whether one is a “conservative” or a “liberal,” there is much to gain in terms of insight into one of the most significant individuals on the American political stage today by reading this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Romantic
Well written, it offers deep insights into President Obama’s motivations and the elements which make up his character.
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Audacity of Hope,” or, more topically, “The Audacity of Supermax,” perhaps? Or, maybe, “The Audacity of Natl Security?”
Hi-ya, everybodeeeeee! I have some verifiable information that I just have to share with everybody (even the foreigners) who are seriously thinking about spending their…
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
The Audacity of Hope was written by a relatively young senator with great energy and a power to connect to people.
I read this book out of pure curiosity. It was written in 2006. I am an octogenarian and a registered Independent. What impressed me was that it was written by the author and not a “ghost.” He expresses himself very well. The portions dealing with his background while growing up were fascinating. His grasp of what the general public can do to unite this country is quite provocative. I have listened to many politicians who impressed me negatively with subjects of hate and one liners. It is my concept that this man is a healer and a deep thinker. What’s more he is able to think on his feet. Most of the politicians I have heard all my life were so dependent upon a tele-prompter that I found them, to say the least, boring. This man excites this old man as never before. I applaud his writings. I recommend this book to any thinking person who wants to know this man a little more personally.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good service
that is very fast service. it was telling me about 2 or 3 weeks time. actually, it just be in my hand less a week. good
This book contains the thoughts and observations of a new Senator in Washington. The book will become a valuable resource for historians because of its accurate observations on the national political scene in the 2nd term of the 2nd George Bush. This book does not represent the finished political philosophy of Barack Obama but it sketches the rough thinking of the man as he began his national career. Which may indeed make this book a milestone in the evolution of the American Republic.
It is not as fine a book as DREAMS OF MY FATHER. That kind of soul-searching can be done only once. That book indeed was a coming of age saga as a young man searched for his rightful place in the world. This is the words of the same man, now older and launched, who having found the right place now seeks for the right lever to move the world. One will not find ideology here, only the thoughts of a pragmatic man meditating on what he finds and how it ought to be.
Like many people I read this book for clues as to what direction this ambitious politician would take were his ambitions be realized. I found nothing that alarmed me but nothing to hang a label on either. Then in the middle of the book, the author speaks of his mother: her lack of faith in organized religions, her passion for justice, her appreciation for the wonder of life. This section begins on page 202 of the first edition hardback and at the bottom of the page 205 I found my answer:
“My fierce ambitions might have been fueled by my father–by my knowledge of his achievements and failures, by my unspoken desire to somehow earn his love…But it was my mother’s fundamental faith–in the goodness of people and in the ultimate value of this brief life we’ve each been given–that channeled those ambitions. It was in search of confirmation of her values that I studied political philosophy, looking for both a language and systems of action that could help build community and make justice real. And it was in search of some practical application of those values that I accepted work after college as a community organizer for a group of churches…”
That statement puts Barack Obama squarely in the mainstream of American thought–our history is full of such idealists and ideas for forming a more perfect union. The great strength of the American experiment is that it produces such men and women, every so often, to renew the tapestry of our public life. As of this writing, we do not know if Senator Obama will succeed in his effort to become President, but from this reading it is apparent that he will be affecting the course of American political life for years to come.
4.0 out of 5 stars
on the prowl to find common ground within any subject
I found his chapter on Faith to be hard to swallow, not because I didn’t like what he had to say (though I didn’t at times), but because I think he didn’t like what he [had] to…
3.0 out of 5 stars
Obama book
It was cool but the cover was dirty so I really didn’t like that since i got that book as a gift for someone.
4.0 out of 5 stars
great, but it skips some juicy parts…
Hearing President Obama read/speak his book is fantastic. The only slight dissappointment was that it seems that he skips reading some of the parts that talks about individuals…
3.0 out of 5 stars
Let’s Hope the Hope is Well Founded
The 44th President of the United States is clearly a man of principle. It is hard not to like the man who shines through these pages.
3.0 out of 5 stars
A New Zealander’s perspective
An interesting insight into the thoughts of President Barack Obama, written when he the Senator of Illinois.
5.0 out of 5 stars
interesting, informative,bold
quite an interesting piece, very inspirational true to the core, quite dignified in retrospect, “know thy self” pursue your dreams steadfast ahead and dont waiver