Customer Reviews

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Barack Obama's latest book reads like a hopeful springboard to the Presidency; indeed, the only concern he's voiced recently about a run for the White House is what his family might have to endure. Other than that, he sure looks and sounds like a confirmed candidate, and The Audacity of Hope only fuels that speculation.

Obama is my senator. I honestly can't tell you what he's accomplished for Illinois. Nothing particularly major or memorable- given his short tenure- but that's not to say he hasn't been successful; everyone in Washington seems to want him on this or that committee, and that's certainly good for Illinois. The more powerful and influential your senator, the more attention (and money) flows to your state. His voting record is what you might expect from a young freshman Democrat, but that's not a knock; he's been true to his word, and that's a plus.

He tries hard in Audacity to show he would be a builder of bridges and a healer of political wounds, and that might be true; time will tell. He's spot-on in the section titled Politics when he bemoans what modern politicking has become- far less about the issues than about how inherently evil your opponent is. Mudslinging has replaced party platforms as the main election tool, with orchestrated outrage and assertions of moral superiority at the top of the campaign agenda. Obama's call to return some integrity to politics by offering solutions rather than automatic fear and hatred of the other side is both timely and refreshing. It would be easy to argue that the polarization of the political right and left is complete and irreversible, but that's both the Audacity and Hope of the book's title.

What's not so convincing in Audacity is his portrayal of himself as a political Everyman. While he clearly demonstrates genuine empathy for those who don't share his beliefs, the middle ground he tries to capture seems more like quicksand- when you try too hard to be everything to everyone, you run the risk of being nothing instead, a perpetual question mark without a solid base to stand on. That's a risk he's obviously willing to take, but the centrist policies he then suggests are not only nothing new, they carry their own considerable risks and problems which he barely weighs. That's a concern, a surprise, and a shortcoming.

Good, effective politicians are like a good stew- there's substance in the pot, and it's well seasoned. While Obama clearly has the substance, the seasoning simply isn't there yet, which makes the Audacity in the title fitting in a way Obama hadn't intended. Americans sure are enamored of fresh, unknown faces in politics- maybe because we love Cinderella stories- but that's voting with your heart rather than your head. Now there's something to be said for intuition and "gut feeling" when selecting leadership, but when the fresh face is untested in so many ways, perhaps it would be best to go with the proven commodity- even if it isn't all that exciting- rather than the raw recruit, no matter how intelligent or charismatic he (or she) might be.

Charisma is great, but experience counts for so much more, especially in the troubled, difficult times ahead.

All that said, Audacity of Hope is an interesting look into the mind and heart of a young senator as he formulates his early political policies and tests the political waters.

-Mark Wakely, author of An Audience for Einstein

Sen. Obama is more of a pragmatist than an idealist -- contrary to his inspired speeches. At best, he seeks to heal the partisan divide of U.S. politics for the common good. At worst, he comprimises too often (as I Canadian, I can relate to that) and he sometimes appears to want to please everyone.

It is frustrating that his particular political mixture (a warmed-over Clintonism) is the only one realistically possible for Democrats to be electable in the U.S. at this time... Whether that is good or bad that depends on one's political views.

That said, the book is well-written and thought out. An interesting chronicling of a major politic figure finding his way... I just hope he continues the quest forward, instead of getting muddled...

It was fun reading it and I started reading second time.
Though I am busy and rarely get enough time many things i enjoy reading.

This is a timely, insightful look at politics in the U.S. Well written and easy to read and filled with possible solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing America right now. Obama truly does give us the Audacity to Hope........only wish politicians world wide felt and acted like this outstanding man.

Mr. Obama presents a clear and concise case of how he thinks policy in the United States should be shaped to address the existing and upcoming problems that the country faces. It is particularly interesting to read his own version of how and why he got involved in politics as this provides valuable insight on his personality and decision making process. The views he expresses about his family also allow the reader to gain a better perspective on his inner motives and future aspirations.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Being a fan of Pres. Obama probably swayed me somewhat but still feel it is a great read and very informative on the American political process. Obama writes as he speaks and has a wonderful command of the English language without being pretentious. His ideas are ones that Canada and Canadians can easily embrace. Read it, you will enjoy it too.

This book is a must read. It gives you so much hope that there is a much better way to do things politically - reasonable, pragmatic, co-operative, non-partisan, diplomatic, gentler - & that with the author Barack Obama newly elected as the US president, change will be possible. After reading it, I felt so optimistic. I even found myself highlighting certain statements in the book they made so much sense.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama encourages Americans to put their political party affiliations aside while pushing for reforms. America seems to have lost it's political way along the road to the American Dream framed by the founding fathers in the Constitution. He offers no master plan or quick fixes, but salient critical thought and a start to fixing our problems. Instead of finger pointing, Senator Obama recognizes both his own flaws and blessings and the flaws and blessings of our current political system. He calls to return some integrity to politics by offering solutions rather than automatic fear and hatred of the other side. He tries hard to show he would be a builder of bridges and a healer of political wounds, and that might be true; time will tell... Overall it is a good, refreshing reading, recommended for everyone.

Obama's optimism in believing the world can "work it out" is contagious indeed!

He introduces solutions, rather than problems!

Basing his beliefs with indepth knowledge of how countries should be treating one another is a treat to read!

Sen. Barack Obama presents solutions to many of our country and world problems in an understandable explanation that I think will appeal to all levels of intellect. At the same time, I found eloquence in his writing style in many of his stories. In particular, I thought his contrast between flying in a private jet versus stomping the political grounds in his car was eloquent "Those are the type of stories you don't hear flying 40,000 feet high in the air..."