The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Book Review: Roll on 2008!
Summary: 4 Stars
A well crafted book that shows Senator Obama as one of the Big Thinkers of his generation. His ability to be see "the other side"'s point of view, while retaining a liberal approach to public policy makes his arguments all the more potent.
Easy to follow and accessible, without being superficial. This is a fascinating account of the world views of a man who could be the next President...
Book Review: Impressive - the thinking man's presidential candidate
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are interested in finding out more about the man behind the sound-bites for one of the front-running 2008 US presidential candidates, this is an excellent read.
The prologue contains a series of declarations. He believes in evolution, scientific inquiry, and global warning. He rejects politics based on racial identity, gender identity and sexual orientations. He highlights how he is ever mindful of how racism meant that people who looked like him were subjugated and stigmatized, and the effects of that continue.
The rest of the book gives his thoughts on a range of policital topics from the bear-pit that is politics in the age of 24 hour news coverage to his experiences of faith, race and family life as it affects Americans every day.
He is analytical, his 10 years as a lecturer in constitutional law giving rigour to his writing, but this is no dry scholarly work. This is a manifesto directed at those people who want a president who understands the complex issues, and is committed to public service.
In a cynical age, this is an articulate reminder that most politicians start with good intentions. And the charm and wit that top politicians must have to succeed comes through on every page. Well worth reading.
Book Review: Is Obama what the world needs now? I'd like to think so but...
Summary: 4 Stars
We worry for the future security of the western Nations. We worry about where the world is going. George W Bush is the most unpopular President with the British people and is universally despised and ridiculed. Personally, I have yet to meet one British citizen who has any view other than hatred for this President. Many, many people felt cheated and disgusted when he was elected in 2004 and angry that the American people had elected this man again. So what can anyone do to stop this cynism and hope for a better future for the U.S and for the security of Nations like ours? Well, vote Democrat for a start. Will Obama be a good choice? I'm a U.S history and politics student, so I read this book to try to find out.
This book is titled under various chapters that deal with specific issues facing the future President. i.e.
1. Republicans and Democrats
2. Values
3. Our Constitution
4. Politics
4. Opportunity
5. Faith
6. Race
7. The world beyond our borders (foreign policy)
8. Family
I have to say that with the exception of maybe two chapters, Obama is not giving much away regarding any plans for the Presidency or his policies. Like many people tired of the Bush administrations lies and incompetence, I would love to see this man be elected to office. I have always been a democratic liberal and agree with basically everything he has to say. But although I can't vote in the U.S of course, even if I could, Obama has not convinced me too much of what he plans to do in steps towards making the world a better place.
Senator Obama is an eloquent and educated man, with a seeming humility and forthright honesty rarely seen or heard since the days of Truman and JFK. This is refreshing to hear and gives me hope for the future, but he is not really saying very much in particular and offers no visions other than a kind of; let's do the right things, be nice and it'll all work out fine. I realise politicians give little away before elections for fear of alienating a proportion of voters, but Obama has told us hardly anything at all. He is in the mould of JFK (no bad thing I admit) and he reminds me of him in many ways. He is the kind of all-things-to-all-people type of politician. Like JFK, he appears to be the kind of President you would like to get a beer with and is regular nice guy, but would be a bit short on firm action or firm policy as leader of the free world. Like Mr Kennedy, he's likeable, it's all inspiring rhetoric and good news, but dude.......where's the beef?
Having said this, it's an enjoyable read and full of inspirational words. it's well written and cohesive in its arguments for change. I do hope that he stands a chance of winning but i doubt it. In my opinion America will never have a black President, at least not in my lifetime, no matter who he is or what he stands for. Its sad but true, the hard-right, Christian, white, wealthy majority rule America and the rest of it can hang for any chance of a real say in how the USA and (consequently our world) is run. It makes me sad to say this but its true.
Good Luck Obama. And good luck America 2008!
Book Review: Obama's Personalized Worldview
Summary: 4 Stars
Democratic senator Barack Obama from Illinois uses this book to detail his general ideas to improve the country. He discusses American values, the U.S. Constitution, religion, globalization, race and other subjects that should be of interest and importance to voters. Though he does not propose any solutions, you can at least see where his base line understandings are on these subjects. Whether you agree with his politics or not I recommend you read this book. It is also a very fast read. Book Review: A fascinating and important book
Summary: 5 Stars
Barack Obama looks increasingly like he might win the democratic nomination having been written off by many people a few months back. The Audacity of Hope is ample proof that Obama is a man of great integrity with genuine leadership qualities and gives real insight into the man who might just end up being the next President of the United States. I still think Dreams From My Father, his earlier memoir written in the mid 90's, is the book of his that will be hailed and read as a classic long after we are all dead and buried but The Audacity of Hope speaks to us now and is essential reading for anyone interested in this extraordinary man.
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