The Audacity of Hope

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Customer Reviews:

• 
  2008-04-23
  By Ed Foy, Ireland
  Like most I bought this book firmly because I realised the author might/may well be the next president of the United States. I've always believed that there are fewer better ways of getting to understand what makes a politician tick than by reading the books that they write, or at least purport to write. By coincidence, I had recently finished the exhaustingly long autobiography of Bill Clinton and I was impressed that Obama's book was a lot shorter and hopefully more concise. Whilst Bill Clintons book was obviously a justification of his policies and work, it was hard not to miss bits of his personality shining through and I was particularly intrigued by his childhood. In contrast I expected Obamas book to be a bit like a personal manifesto with nuggets of autobiography- a bit like Rudy Giuliani's excellent leadership book.
  
  Unfortunately, this book is neither an autobiography nor a manifesto. It is a work of the most beautiful rhetoric. At times, in fact, the author writes with a poetic quality that is not readily associated with a politician. The book does n't flow easily though. It's is rather like a collection of soundbites strung with bits of glory, in a sea of mist. Alas Barack is no more accessible by the end of the book. I did n't get a feeling for what makes the man. I got a basic understanding of his background and beliefs- though wikipedia was far more thorough and concise. I felt that I had been in the presence of one who said the right things, in the right way but said little at all. Perhaps the nearest he got to being human was in the middle of the book where he delays shaking President Bush's hand in order to eat at a buffet. Alas, this anecdote is subsequently ruined self-propaganda and Bush's words of encouragement to the senator.
  
  Overall, its easier to pick up mercury with a fork than pin down Barack in this book. The book has the glossy style, blurb and substance of a brochure. Despite this, American voters should definitely read this book and the rest of us should read it if they vote for him.
  
  
  
• 
  2008-05-07
  By Eclectic Boy,
  If only more politicians would allow themselves the time and integrity to sit down and write such a book before or whilst in office.
  
  Barack Obama writes with intelligence and clarity, but in a language that is accessible to all. A born politician some might say, he represents both sides of any story, alienating no-one and never being judgmental, but always carefully thoughtful. A gifted storyteller, Obama draws on his own life experience and reflection to fit real life issues into the broader policy spectrum.
  
  The book is carefully ordered starting with his background (community projects before law school) and upbringing (multicultural) he aspires to demonstrate himself as a man of the American people and in this way builds our trust. He then uses his intimate knowledge of the American constitution to bring it alive for us - a great précis for those of us with little American constitutional knowledge - before talking openly and honestly about intrinsic challenge of politics for politicians (`how I or anybody...can avoid the pitfalls of fame, the fear of loss, and thereby retain that kernel of truth'). For me this was the most interesting part and widens the relevance of the book beyond American politics.
  
  Occasionally allowing himself to sideswipe opponents (Mr Keyes, p211) but doing so in a gentlemanly fashion - he uses the time we invest in his book to give us his side of the picture behind the press headline or 90 second news clip. The book ends with a chapter on Family, giving us a taste of the effect of Obama's work on his family and their lives. This last insight into Obama's personal life leaves a good taste in the reader's mouth and reminds us he is human. And like a true gentleman - he gives the final word to his wife.
  
  My only critisism is that after such a detailed discussion of Amercian politics, business and social issues his single chapter addressing the rest of the world comes across as being pretty lightweight. His views on future world economy and security are conventional and inward looking. His views on the challenges facing the future of the world could be written by an American CEO - focusing on trade and competition. Global warming is mentioned only twice by my count. But then this book is about 'The Audacity of Hope' and written by an American politician.
  
  Lets hope he can retain that `kernal of truth' as he goes forward.
  
  
  
• 
  2008-06-10
  By A. Somerville, Wolverhampton, UK
  The coming general election campaign might be a better way of finding out what Barack Obama actually thinks than reading this book.
  
  For a politician, this is a very open and well written book on a number of subjects that matter to us all (in the US or abroad). Chapter by chapter, Obama mixes historical detail, life stories and political issues to try and present an explanation of how we have come to this point in time with sometimes such savage disagreements over how to proceed.
  
  It's at that point I found the book disatisfying. Barack Obama doesn't commit to any policy ideas that really go beyond Democrat platitude: healthcare is good, crime is bad, etc. I can understand that he needed to keep some solid statements back prior to the election (or have them lobbed back at him negatively by Clinton or McCain) but it just leaves a final feeling of vagueness in a book that was building towards inspiring.
  
  
• 
  2008-07-18
  By J. Morris, Barcelona, Spain
  I wanted to read the book published by the presidential candidate who I plan on voting for, so I figured that I would buy this book.
  
  While I admit that it reinforces my feeling that Obama will provide for the US and the world much better than McCain, I have to say that it is quite a boring book....difficult to continue reading after a few pages.
  
  Definitely interesting if you have no idea what Obama is about, but dont expect any fireworks!
  
  
• 
  2008-08-26
  By R. Lee,
  Barack Obama clearly has a lot to say about vision, but when it comes down to it, not enough reality to talk about. The first few chapters about this book are about visions, values, morals, goals, beliefs, ideals, principles and expectations, and then go on to talk more about visions, values, morals, goals, beliefs, ideals, principles and expectations but around a different theme. This type of talk no doubt works brilliantly as a passionate speech, but reading at this level of detail gets tedious pretty quickly. Fortunately, in between all that there are stories to tell that embellish points effectively and there are other points of reference, but compared to other political books I have read, this one took much longer to make its points.
  
  All in all, still worth reading, but be prepared to slog through some of this!