The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) |  | Author: Barack Obama
Publisher: Vintage
List Price: $7.99
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Seller: smokymtnbooks
Rating:  764 reviews
Sales Rank: 998
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Pages: 464
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.4
ISBN: 0307455874
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.04960730092
EAN: 9780307455871
ASIN: 0307455874
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Barack Obama's first book, Dreams from My Father, was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race, identity, and community. With his second book The Audacity of Hope, 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. --Daphne Durham
20 Second Interview: A Few Words with Barack Obama
 Q: 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?
A: In many ways, Dreams from My Father 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 The Audacity of Hope 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.
Q: What is your writing process like? You have such a busy schedule, how did you find time to write?
A: 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.
Q: If readers are to come away from The Audacity of Hope with one action item (a New Year's Resolution for 2007, perhaps?), what should it be?
A: Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about. It almost doesnt 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.
Q: You're known for being able to work with people across ideological lines. Is that possible in today's polarized Washington?
A: 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.
Q: How do you make people passionate about moderate and complex ideas?
A: 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.
Q: What has surprised you most about the way Washington works?
A: How little serious debate and deliberation takes place on the floor of the House or the Senate.
Q: 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?
A: 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.
Q: Do you ever find time to read? What kinds of books do you try to make time for? What is on your nightstand now?
A: 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 Robinsons Gilead, a wonderful book. The language just shimmers. I've started Team of Rivals 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.
Q: What inspires you? How do you stay motivated?
A: 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.
Product Description
The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama's call for a new kind of politicsâa 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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Showing reviews 1-5 of 764
 Looks at both sides of the argument November 21, 2009
M. Razo (California)
In reading this book I wanted to gain an insight into what makes Obama click, I have heard his speeches, listened to cable news shows say positive and negative things about him, but I wanted to get a new perspective. I enjoyed reading this book because it looked at both sides of the political spectrum, liberal and conservative, and tried to come up with his own explanation into why we are where we are today. Now, it comes from the eyes of a life long democrat, and he explains this in the beginning, but he tries to explain how, for instance, Reagan has such a big influence in today's Republican party. He also describes the Democrats as being sometimes confused with some still not adapting to decade political shifts and how some still preach the New Deal ideals. In all, if you want to get a good perspective into 21st century American Politics from the viewpoint of an objective democrat, then this is a highly recommended read.
 Barack Obama the Audacity of Hope November 16, 2009
Frank X. Strubhart
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I ordered this book because I wanted to have a different opinion of our president than the one that I presently have. I am sorry that I spent the money and time.
Obama November 9, 2009
Informed Voter (Vancouver, WA USA)
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book just shows you what a radical he really is.... and the left are in a slobbering love affair with this creep who is destroying our country.
Barack Obama - The Audacity of Hope November 7, 2009
Gary Morse (Memphis, TN)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have greatly enjoyed reading this book. It has really given me great insight into this very inspiring leader. When you read this book you will realize he is much, much more than a great speaker.
Boring! November 4, 2009
W. R. Keith (Cleveland, TN USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This autobiography is extremely boring! Considering President Obama has a very short career and extreme limited experience why should I have expected more?
Showing reviews 1-5 of 764
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