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A conservative reviews Senator Obama's latest book .... Oct 18, 2006 (1917 of 2223 found this helpful)
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 some ways, I had respected him because he seemed to be a thoughtful and eloquent American with a compelling story. I give the book 4 stars for style and significance in our culture, but much less for substance.
The Senator has a generally warm and inviting style of communicating that portrays himself as an agent of change in American politics. In terms of writing style, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE is a good, though sometimes "preachy" read; at times, it seems a bit too earnest or striving for political correctness. Obama deserves credit for being able to discuss his values and faith in a manner that is more comfortable than many of his political contemporaries. 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.
At times, the reader may wonder if he is too ambitious - or even naive. One can respect his energy and commitment to change, even as one firmly disagrees with his policies and plans.
And, I certainly do take issue with some of the Senator's actual policies and worldview that he discusses. His health care plans may sound noble, but they would likely lead to significantly decreased quality and choice for most Americans and soaring taxes and budget deficits...big government at its worst. Furthermore, given the overall poor performance of government in other programs, do you really want government managing your health care? Another issue: 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 may go so far as to say that Obama's affinity for radical and government-forced redistribution of wealth reeks of socialism (though it's socialism masked by a warm smile). Another point: I don't believe that a "pro-choice" position offers adequate choice for the unborn child; Obama's rhetoric in the book is moderate, but his voting record on abortion is extreme. Some of his associations are troubling, particularly with some radicals who seem to have shaped a significant portion of his worldview and helped launch his career.
I do agree with Senator Obama that America must overcome our addiction to foreign oil, though his opposition to many reasonable remedies is curious. 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, but it would be helpful if he acknowledged that partisanship is not only the province of "right wing Republicans" but also a staple of many of his Democratic brethren.
In the meantime, whether one is a "conservative" or a "liberal," there is much to gain in terms of insight into one of the most significant individuals on the American political stage today by reading this book.
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A prelude to the White House Oct 19, 2006 (454 of 619 found this helpful)
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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Which American Dream Feb 18, 2007 (231 of 368 found this helpful)
This review is probably one which is going to be slammed, because Senator Obama has such appeal for so many looking for fresh new hope and they will take the questions raised as more than a higher reaching for answers.
Politicians since John Kennedy have "written" books to prove they are intelligent and introduce themselves to the voting world. Senator Obama's first book dealt with the touching subject of his childhood. The problem is he left out much of his Islamic past and his life started at age 10 along with fictional names of people in his life.
As an author, everyone knows it is impossible to get a book published and yet a college graduate not only has a book published but is signed to a million dollar deal before he soon arises in Illinois and is immediately asked on David Letterman, "When are you running for President?", when he had not served one day in the Senate.
It is those things which begs to ask in this book, "What kind of American Dream", does Senator Obama foresee for all Americans? The majority of us are not going to be graced with million dollar contracts when we have not accomplished a single thing in life.
As stated, books are telling in swaying people. A book about childhood and one about dreams. We can all aspire to that, but what Barak Obama writes is not in line with dreams but a reality which if put in plain English might not sound so appealing.
Would it sound appealing if someone said, "Someone is going to come in and take from your bank account 50% of your wages and it will take you until June to pay that bill off and you can then worry about paying your mortgages, sending kids to school and medical insurance." That logically would not sound so good. Yet Senator Obama in reality advocates the continuance of this "dream" upon Americans and in his own words on the now campaign trail wants more of people's money to fund "dreams" for people who are not working for them or citizens of the United States.
Dreams are wonderful things as are books as long as someone who is empowered by the Oval Office or Congress does not have rights to legally steal what you have worked for and give it to someone else.
So for questions, I would have preferred instead of softballs ones which asked how does someone get wonderful book deals?
How does someone arise to meteoric power and be booked on Letterman to be asked when they are running for President, since over 299 million Americans are not?
How does Senator Obama's dream equate with the literal American Dream our founding fathers sat down of a Republic where government had no power to tax your income which allowed you the citizen freedom to prosper and not have to have license or law inflicted upon every moment of your life?
Senator Barak Hussein Obama, (he neglects to inform readers that is his real name also), dream is one of socialism and huge government. If that is what America desires then that is exactly what Americans have voted for in the current Republispenders who with Democrats have run up trillions of dollar in debt while inflation ruins each of us.
If you want to read a real book on American Dreams, then I earnestly suggest The Strenuous Life by Theodore Roosevelt or Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman. Those books equate dreams which gave all Americans including Senator Obama the reality of the best place on earth to live.
There is nothing audacious about socialism and hiding behind one's borders. This book is more in tune with the French Dream which like all Europe is a disaster in socialism.
Thank you for your time.
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It feels like the pot calling the kettle black (no pun intended) Jan 19, 2007 (214 of 296 found this helpful)
Well written, but it feels like there is nothing new presented about politics. If you are from the left side of the spectrum, you will find yourself nodding in agreement with Senator Obama's views, and if you hail from the right side, you will likely be shaking your head throughout most of the book.
There is a lot of apparent chastisement of political parties in general, but the author specifically cites examples from the republican party. Though I hail from the left, I got frustrated that he would present an argument that would seem like common sense, talk about how we need to centralize our political system, and then rip the republican side apart... doing just the opposite of what he says we need to stop doing!
By the end of the book, it felt more like a political stunt to discredit republicans and get ready for the White House than a book about changing the country. Ironically, I felt more sympathy towards republicans than I felt at the beginning of the book. A nice subtitle to the book would have been "The Audacity of Hope: Why the Republican Party Is Supremely Evil and Powerhungry".
A little less ripping on the republicans and following his own advice to politicians would have netted 4 or 5 stars.
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I couldn't bear to finish this book Mar 9, 2007 (214 of 322 found this helpful)
I was hoping to find reason to vote for Senator Obama, and made a game try to get through the book. What made it so hard to read? Misconstrued, incomplete ideas wrapped in "feelings"? I felt better when I put the book in the bottom of my trash barrel to save others from it. But I felt worse when I worried that it might appeal to them.