The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage)

The Audacity of Hope

Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage)

by Barack Obama
(based on 684 customer reviews)

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) (Mass Market Paperback)
Edition: Reprint
Author: Barack Obama
Publisher: Vintage


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Most useful review as voted by customers:
1917 out of 2223 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 10/18/06


A conservative reviews Senator Obama's latest book ....

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 many ways, I respected and admired him as a thoughtful and eloquent American with a compelling story.

In this best-selling book, the Senator has a generally warm and inviting style of communicating that conveys a seemingly heartfelt optimism about changing business as usual in American political discourse. In short, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE is a good, and sometimes even inspiring, read. Unlike many of his political contemporaries, Obama discusses values and faith in a manner that is not forced or uncomfortable. His faith appears to be an integral part of his life, rather than a convenient add-on. 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.

His writing style, like his speaking style, is passionate, but also self-effacing. However, at times, the reader may wonder if he is too ambitious - or even naive. But, I did at least respect his energy and commitment to change.

None of this is to say that I agree with all - or most - of his political ideas. I would take issue with some of the Senator's actual policies (though I believe many of his goals sound noble). For example, I think he way over-reaches on the idea of universal health care, and 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 don't believe that a "pro-choice" position offers adequate choice for the unborn child. But, I recognize that Senator Obama is, in this book, generally respectful and gracious towards those with whom he disagrees.

I do agree with him that America must overcome our addiction to foreign oil and to oil in general. 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; the reality of his words and his intentions will surely be tested in years to come. (It would be helpful, perhaps, if he acknowledged more that partisanship is not only the province of "right wing Republicans" but also a staple of many of his Democratic brethren, but, I quibble.)

In the meantime, whether one is a "conservative" or a "liberal," there is much to gain in terms of insight into one of the brightest lights on the American political stage today by reading this book.

454 out of 619 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 10/19/06


A prelude to the White House

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


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