The Essential Barack Obama: The Grammy Award-Winning Recordings [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD)

by Barack Obama (Author, Reader)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A CD collection featuring the best-selling audiobooks, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father from Grammy® award-winning author, Barack Obama.


The Audacity of Hope

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called “the audacity of hope.”

Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics–a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the “endless clash of armies” we see in congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of “our improbable experiment in democracy.” He explores those forces–from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media–that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He also writes, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment.

At the heart of this book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats–from terrorism to pandemic–that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy–where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, even the president, is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.

A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes–“waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them.”

Dreams from My Father
In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father—a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man—has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey—first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother’s family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father’s life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance.

About the Author
Barack Obama is the junior U.S. senator from Illinois and the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream and Dreams from My Father. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (March 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739375946
• ISBN-13: 978-0739375945
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! , March 19, 2008

By	NinaE "Music Lover" (Jefferson County, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

Great audiobook! I really enjoyed it. Great motivator and a wonderful speaker. Very inspirational. There's nothing negative in his writings. Only inspiration and hope. Hope for all people. I'm very selective when it comes to what I feed my brain and my children. There's no negative and/or hate messages in his writings. I don't know what else to say. Just read and judge for yourself. I'm not a tabloid or front page reader. You might say I'm from the show me state. I had to do the research to find out the truth. I respect, but I can't agree with the review I just read. That's why I got the books and did the research. Man is imperfect....it's God I worship. I'm first and far most a member of the Democratic Party. That's where my focus is. This is a very important time in our lives and no matter who gets to run in November on the Democratic ticket, I will support them. Out with the present damaged government and let's work together towards a new one that's cares about it's people. Be careful, if you're a Democrat, not to make statements that may damage the party due to the "favorite game". This is not a game. This is the real world. As I said, I enjoyed Mr. Obama's audiobooks. They were very well written and spoken and a great feeling and inspiration for all ages. Take away the politics, the faces, the spin and listen to the message without your prejudices (we all have them)and judge for yourself. I did. Thank for reading my review. I think both Hilliary and Obama could both make a difference, but I have to say Mr. Obama can inspire the people. According to the latest polls people feel he can be trusted to do a good job if chosen. No matter who's choosen it's our jobs as citizens of the USA to keep tabs, checks and balances to make sure our nation is healthy with a functional government that's for the people. It's "WE THE PEOPLE"...we are the only ones that can make a difference, reclaim our government and heal the nation. It's not up to Mr. Obama to fix us. He can't. We have to fix ourselves. He seems to have the ability to unite and open up mutual channels of communication that's needed to move forward. With the ability for all to cooperated and communicate for the greater good we can accomplish great things.
ps. Dreams of the father: the audicity of hope is also great!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barack Obama's Voice Enhances His Written Word, June 9, 2008

By	Chris . (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

The Grammy award winning recording of the Essential Barack Obama did not disappoint me at all. I wanted to read his 2 books and thought since he is such a great speaker with a dynamic speaking voice,I would get the recording of his books.I sit back,close my eyes and listen to his words and the ways he intended them to mean.I never bought an audio book before,so this was quite a treat to enjoy.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great books--a lot of insight into Sen. Obama's life, character, April 20, 2008

By	L. B. Rouse "Buzzy Bea" (TX USofA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

These two books together are a wonderful look at Senator Obama's life and his character. The "Dreams From My Father," reflects the character-building life that he led, thank to his mother, and grand parents, as well as the intelligence and standing of his father, who died when Barack was young. You get a great sense of his concern for mankind and his desire to help others.

"The Audacity of Hope," describes his feelings about the pressures and potential pitfalls of running for and holding public office. He tells how he was able to keep to his ideals and the teachings of his mother and grandparents throughout his political career.