Customer Reviews

Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This blatantly positive profile of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama presents the man, his positions and specific responses to the criticisms against him. Extensive direct quotes from the candidate himself plus 30 pages of footnotes buttress the book's powerful, if partisan, presentation. John K. Wilson, a former student of Obama's, omits some important things, however, it is only fair to note that some hot campaign topics (such as Reverend Wright) emerged after the book's publication. Wilson also makes a few odd comments (for instance, drawing a link between low black unemployment and the high incarceration rate under Bill Clinton). Still, he sets forth a compelling case for Obama and provides observations about the Senator's formative years, accomplishments and policies. He offers some good insights, for example, he discusses the role cynicism plays in politics and the role of white guilt. While Wilson sometimes gets carried away with his support of the candidate, he notes that both the far right and the far left have attacked Obama, so he must be doing something correctly. getAbstract recommends this to voters who want the story (albeit somewhat sunny) behind the candidate and to Obama supporters seeking more information about their presidential hopeful.

How the University Works: Higher Education and the Low-Wage Nation (Cultural Front)
I know John Wilson, and he's written a powerful, relevant, moving book--one that he demonstrated a great deal of perspicacity in conceiving.

That other reviewer is a political operative who has taken a pseudonym for the purpose of giving all Obama-related books a "one-star" rating and unjustified negative review!

I am 68 years old and I have never been as excited about any politician since John F. Kennedy. This man has integrity . I really enjoyed reading this book. John K. Wilson kept my interest and curiosity.

I couldn't put this book down, and I can't ever remembering feeling that way about a political book.

This fascinating exploration of the Obama campaign, media coverage, and political strategies is excellent. The book takes a reflective look an array of the issues about Obama we've heard about during a nearly two year campaign. In a unique examination, Wilson traces the origins of rumors, discusses the role of media, and explores arguments and counter-arguments about Obama.

Wilson's solid research synthesizes events in ways that make sense as a retrospective. The book will enable the reader to contemplate the many arguments raised against Obama, the role of racism in the campaign, and other social and political issues. I found the book to be an understandable, thought-provoking, and lively read.

If you're looking for the Internet and media rumors to be confirmed or Obama to be demonized, you'll want to read a different book. If you want to read about arguments and counter-arguments that will make you question what you think you know, read this book!

By a former student of the president. In eight well-footnoted chapters, he tackles the issues featured in the campaign of Barack Obama, such as "Is he Black enough?" He does not, however, identify a fundamental philosophy to which Obama subscribes other than to apply the label "liberal" to his thinking.

I borrowed this book from my local library and after I started reading it, I just had to have it for my own. It addresses all the issues that cropped up during the time Obama was running for President. And I must say that it laid them to rest. It was unbiased and straightforward. I have already recommended this book to others. Money well spent!

This is not an objective publication so know this before you buy the book. It also bothers me that the author on his C SPAN appearance dismissed William Ayers who served on a multi million dollar non profit with Senator Obama, as basically harmless because the bombs he was involved in making and setting off, didn't kill anyone. Had Mr Ayers been a middle east terrorist like those on 9/11, who simply hadn't killed anyone would we really be dismissing anyone's close association with Mr. Ayers? And 49 million dollars isnt chump change!

Also of great interest to me is the fact Senator Obama who indeed is a gifted speaker, was raised by the side of his family who were white. So why are we to assume he's a black man with black ideas? Why doesn't the author make more of a point about how white he is? Or ask the question what would have happened had he ran for state and federal positions as a biracial or white candidate? Had he run as a bi racial rather than black label would he have been as successful?

Also missing is any discussion as to why Senator Obama didn't try and try again to get elected to Chicago posts since Chicago has such a horrid reputation for being a corrupt system in need of cleaning up. Had he helped clean up Chicago he would have been an example of someone who tried and tried until he succeeded.

And why so little information of any success besides writing a book, since being elected to the Senate. Or little mention of the fact that from day one of taking office as Senator he spent his time running for the Democratic nomination?

There are much better books about Senator Obama including the Senators own two books. This author does little to help Senator Obama and may in fact harm him.

Mr. Wilson many times starts with an interesting analysis that most of the time seems to lead to conclusions like: Obama is a genius, brilliant, selfless public servant and he wants to "...restore faith in Government and hope." And yet the author had the nerve to put on the inside flap of his book the following: "Amid all the hype, this book provides the first in-depth look at the controversies surrounding Obama's run for the presidency...". That is an audacious and false claim. I thought the piece on Tony Rezko read like a whitewash. Obama refuses to release the final settlement statement for the house. What is he covering up?
But John Wilson did clear up a false impression I had about the "madrassa myth" that I keep hearing about in talking media. I thought that meant that Obama really had nothing to do with Islamic schools that it was something the right-wing smear groups made up. But I had been ignorant of the details. It turns out, according to the author's research: "Obama did often attend Friday prayers in the local mosque." ... Obama was officially registered as a Muslim and went to Koranic studies but at the same time he went to Catholic school. I should listen more closely! This is a qualified "myth" to the say the least. This, of course, does not prove that Obama is a secret anything - Muslim or Catholic. If he is anything different deep down from what he appears -- probably only Barack knows.
I wanted to see the author skillfully cast a favorable light on Obama's association with Bill Ayers. I was disappointed I could not find the dangerous Bill Ayers in the book. If you don't want to buy this book and take the time to read it and can't accept my word that it is hype, just look at the eight photographs in the middle of the book. You might start to wonder if secret Obama campaign money has not flowed to the author?
I would have awarded three stars if title had been something like: "Why I'd love to see Obama as President".