The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) | 
 enlarge | Author: Barack Obama
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
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Rating:  628 reviews
Sales Rank: 9
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Pages: 464
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0307455874
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.04960730092
EAN: 9780307455871
ASIN: 0307455874
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
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Amazon.com Review
Barack Obama's first book, iDreams from My Father/i, was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race, identity, and community. With his second book iThe Audacity of Hope/i, 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 with the people. We had the opportunity to ask Senator Obama a few questions about writing, reading, and politics--see his responses below. i--Daphne Durham/i hr noshade="noshade" size="1" class="bucketDivider" /b class="h1" 20 Second Interview: A Few Words with Barack Obama/bbrbrimg src="http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/books/promos/a-plus/obama.1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" border="0" align="left" bQ:/b How did writing a book that you knew would be read so closely by so many compare to writing your first book, when few people knew who you were?br bA:/b In many ways, iDreams from My Father/i was harder to write. At that point, I wasn't even sure that I could write a book. And writing the first book really was a process of self-discovery, since it touched on my family and my childhood in a much more intimate way. On the other hand, writing iThe Audacity of Hope/i paralleled the work that I do every day--trying to give shape to all the issues that we face as a country, and providing my own personal stamp on them.brbr bQ:/b What is your writing process like? You have such a busy schedule, how did you find time to write?br bA:/b I'm a night owl, so I usually wrote at night after my Senate day was over, and after my family was asleep--from 9:30 p.m. or so until 1 a.m. I would work off an outline--certain themes or stories that I wanted to tell--and get them down in longhand on a yellow pad. Then I'd edit while typing in what I'd written.brbr bQ:/b If readers are to come away from iThe Audacity of Hope/i with one action item (a New Year's Resolution for 2007, perhaps?), what should it be?br bA:/b Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about. It almost doesn t matter what it is--improving the school system, developing strategies to wean ourselves off foreign oil, expanding health care for kids. We give too much of our power away, to the professional politicians, to the lobbyists, to cynicism. And our democracy suffers as a result.brbr bQ:/b You're known for being able to work with people across ideological lines. Is that possible in today's polarized Washington?br bA:/b It is possible. There are a lot of well-meaning people in both political parties. Unfortunately, the political culture tends to emphasize conflict, the media emphasizes conflict, and the structure of our campaigns rewards the negative. I write about these obstacles in chapter 4 of my book, "Politics." When you focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points, and emphasize common sense over ideology, you'd be surprised what can be accomplished. It also helps if you're willing to give other people credit--something politicians have a hard time doing sometimes./divbrbr bQ:/b How do you make people passionate about moderate and complex ideas?br bA:/b I think the country recognizes that the challenges we face aren't amenable to sound-bite solutions. People are looking for serious solutions to complex problems. I don't think we need more moderation per se--I think we should be bolder in promoting universal health care, or dealing with global warming. We just need to understand that actually solving these problems won't be easy, and that whatever solutions we come up with will require consensus among groups with divergent interests. That means everybody has to listen, and everybody has to give a little. That's not easy to do.brbr bQ:/b What has surprised you most about the way Washington works?br bA:/b How little serious debate and deliberation takes place on the floor of the House or the Senate.brbr bQ:/b You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children. What small thing can the average parent (or person) do to help improve the educational system in America? What small thing can make a big impact?br bA:/b Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life. Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that, participating in a literacy program, working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading, helping their children with their literacy skills, can make a huge difference in a child's life.brbr bQ:/b Do you ever find time to read? What kinds of books do you try to make time for? What is on your nightstand now? br bA:/b Unfortunately, I had very little time to read while I was writing. I'm trying to make up for lost time now. My tastes are pretty eclectic. I just finished Marilynne Robinson s iGilead/i, a wonderful book. The language just shimmers. I've started iTeam of Rivals/i by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which is a great study of Lincoln as a political strategist. I read just about anything by Toni Morrison, E.L. Doctorow, or Philip Roth. And I've got a soft spot for John le Carre.brbr bQ:/b What inspires you? How do you stay motivated?br bA:/b I'm inspired by the people I meet in my travels--hearing their stories, seeing the hardships they overcome, their fundamental optimism and decency. I'm inspired by the love people have for their children. And I'm inspired by my own children, how full they make my heart. They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better. And they make me want to be a better man.brbr hr /="/" noshade="noshade" class="bucketDivider" size="1" p clear="all"
Product Description
bThe Audacity of Hope/b is Barack Obama's call for a new kind of politics#8212;a politics that builds upon those shared understandings that pull us together as Americans. Lucid in his vision of America's place in the world, refreshingly candid about his family life and his time in the Senate, Obama here sets out his political convictions and inspires us to trust in the dogged optimism that has long defined us and that is our best hope going forward.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 623 more reviews...
 Simply Brilliant! November 23, 2008
Gina Matthews (South Florida)
The title says it all! Barack Obama reveals his policy ideas for the nation and the sub-text makes it readily evident why he was elected president of the United States. br /In typical Obama fashion, his ideas are well-considered and thoughtfully crafted. br / br /Given the historical nature of his presidency, this would make an excellent gift for anyone who does not own it. I've given several.
Presidential November 23, 2008
Jonathan Warren
An Enlightening insight into our new president. Agree or disagree, the throngs who claimed during his campaign that he offed no specifics simply needed to crack a book. br / br /Showcasing his unusual ability to fairly and accurately include other opinions in defining his own, Obama's comprehention of contrary philosophies shines forth in a distinguished and diplomatic prose. br / br /Well grounded in common sense, candor and hard work, Mr. Obama brings us into his world and his thought processes. One comes away with the distict feeling that even if you don't agree with the author's conclusion, you can trust his reasonable and measured approach to problem solving to rule the day. br / br /I find it a rare privilege to have such a window to a newly elected president. No other sitting president duing my adult life had ever authored a book. Obama not only wrote this alone, he gave us his very policies, in advance. The availability of such a text should not be taken lightly. br / br /
The real Barack Obama? November 19, 2008
M. Nichols (San Francisco, CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For anyone out there wondering who the real Barack Obama is, "The Audacity of Hope" will give you one clear idea. It is part memoir, part political manifesto, encompassing his comprehensive vision for America. The book reveals him to be very smart, well read, compassionate, and sometimes quite funny. I think few people reading the book will agree with him on every policy issue, and no one is really prepared to take on the problems facing our country. But, reading this book gave me faith that the American people have elected a very capable public servant. br / br /Chapters are essays arranged around a single theme (eg "Faith" "Family") and some are better than others. I particularly liked what he had to say about his conversion to Christianity and some of the values he learned being raised in a multi-ethnic family. Obama can be quite funny at times, such as when he describes the disdain he felt for his 2004 Senate competitor, Alan Keyes: "Mr. Keyes made no effort to conceal what he clearly considered to be his moral and intellectual superiority. With his erect bearing, almost theatrically formal manner, and a hooded gaze that made him appear perpetually bored, he came off as a cross between a Pentacostal preacher and William F. Buckley." He goes on to say, "That self-assuredness disabled in him the instincts for self-censorship that allow most people to navigate the world without getting into constant fistfights." I was not expecting to laugh out loud when I read this book. Those lines had me slapping my knees. br / br /Other parts of the book are non-apologetically wonky. He goes on a little too long in some chapters (do we need to hear every idea he has?) and others strain to make symmetry out of unalike things. Overall though, this is a really engaging and well written book. I enjoyed it very much. br / br /As I close, I'm left with the constant problem with memoirs, can you trust the author to know himself? What good are all these ideals if the president is hypocritical, insincere, or lacking in self-awareness? The ability to inspire people can only go so far. So we'll see. In the meantime, we've just elected a youthful president with new ideas, a comprehensive understanding of US political history, experience with all types of Americans, and a multi-faceted approach to leading the country. Count me among the impressed.
Good Read November 18, 2008
Park Brees (California)
Though not as good as "Dreams from my Father", a well written book. The book talks deeply about Barack's ideals and issues with the current state of politics. Though you may not agree with his political views, Barack is an undeniably intellegent person who is not afraid to express his political views. The message was powerful; it is now just a matter of executing.
Great Book! November 17, 2008
coach
After reading this book, all I can say is, "I'm so glad I voted for him. "This book is inspiring, thoughtful and hopeful." Read it. I would also recommend highly his other book: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
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