A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win by Shelby Steele Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win
Book Review: Prophetic - Steele is sharp as usual
Summary: 5 Stars
Fascinating! Those who have criticized this book either didn't read it in its entirety, missed the point or have a preconceived agenda. Obama made a deal with the devil and now the devil wants his due. Doesn't make Obama a bad guy - just makes him a 'bound man.'
BTW, there is a double-meaning in the sub-title.
Book Review: A Man with an Agenda
Summary: 1 Stars
Shelby Steele is a self described "Black Conservative" and for all intents and purposes would not like to see Obama win-hence his writing a book of this nature. Obama stands for all things Steele does not. I would like to say Steele himself falls under the column of "bargainer".
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Book Review: Check it out from the library; don't buy!
Summary: 3 Stars
I saw this at the library and was intrigued. I like to be informed when I vote so I was curious as to what the author would consider made Obama a "bound" man. From reading the 1st 50 or 60 pages or so the only thing I could find "binding" Obama was the fact that he is interracial. In actuality, being interracial is what is helping Obama along in the race to the presidency.
This binding that the author alludes to applies to all black professionals, not just interracial individuals. Basically, if we placate black people we are "too black," if we placate to white people we are "sell outs." It is a no win situation for a successful black in America.
This book, however, offers little insight on Obama; this book is more about the author's views on being interracial in America. He has transferred these feelings and views onto Obama and somehow has him bound by them.
You should skip this book.
Book Review: A Distorted Picture
Summary: 3 Stars
I admit that when I first saw this book at a bookstore, I was hooked by the title. Being an Obama supporter, I was curious to know why the author thought Obama "can't win" the presidency. I didn't buy the book, but I found it at a library and checked it out. It is interesting, well-written, and only takes a few hours to read. But I'm glad I didn't buy it.
The problem with this book is that the author never judges Obama on any grounds other than how he plays the racial game--unless you count a few offhand references to Obama being intelligent, talented, etc. So ironically, the "bound man" of the title turns out to be--as one reviewer here has already asserted--the author himself.
Steele does make a strong case for why Obama is walking such a fine line politically, as a black man who is trying to win over both blacks and whites in large enough numbers to win the presidency. He also provides some insight into why Obama chose Reverend Wright as his pastor, which is impressive considering that this book was written months before Reverend Wright was front page news. Steele's categorization of prominent black Americans as either "bargainers" or "challengers" also makes sense, and he is credible in spelling out the advantages and potential pitfalls of each of these approaches.
But unfortunately, the book is so limited in scope that it distorts Obama as well as those who support him. Has Steele even considered that some people may support Obama because he appears to be the most intelligent and the most level-headed of all the candidates? Some may even support him because his political views most closely match their own, which should not be so hard to believe considering that in the past few years the general public has turned against the Iraq War and has generally moved to the left. Like so many of Obama's detractors, Steele simultaneously accuses Obama of having a harmful political agenda and having no political agenda at all. These people would be more credible if they at least picked one or the other and stuck with it.
Meanwhile, Obama marches on, which makes me wonder if maybe he has figured something out that people like Steele have not. Or maybe Obama just happens to be a good enough candidate to win the election and to be an effective leader, regardless of the color of his skin. What a concept!
Book Review: Right On!
Summary: 5 Stars
When Barack Obama first showed up on the scene I couldn't figure out why, for such a young guy, his speeches always sound like nineteen sixties civil rights reflections. Like he's leading some imaginary group of people out of the 'Jim Crow' era. That question was answered when Jeremiah Wright hit the scene with his, 'Black Liberation Theology', nonsense. People like Jeremiah Wright can't let go of something as juicy as the 'Crow' era.
'A Bound Man', presents an explaination for the development of Obama's mindset involving racism in America and his rise in popularity among blacks as well as whites. The book also presents the evolution in race relations that has taken place in America. I think Shelby Steele might be on to something.
I read this book in one sitting. Highly recommend.