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William Jelani Cobb

Jelani Cobb

The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress Hardcover – May 25, 2010

by William Jelani Cobb (Author)

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For acclaimed historian William Jelani Cobb, the historic election of Barack Obama to the presidency is not the most remarkable development of the 2008 election; even more so is the fact that Obama won some 90 percent of the black vote in the primaries across America despite the fact that the established black leadership since the civil rights era―men like Jesse Jackson, John Lewis, Andrew Young, who paved the way for his candidacy―all openly supported Hillary Clinton. Clearly a sea change has occurred among black voters, ironically pushing the architects of the civil rights movement toward the periphery at the moment when their political dreams were most fully realized.
How this has happened, and the powerful implications it holds for America's politics and social landscape, is the focus of The Substance of Hope, a deeply insightful, paradigm-shifting examination of a new generation of voters that has not been shaped by the raw memory of Jim Crow and has a different range of imperatives. Cobb sees Obama's ascendancy as "a reality that has been taking shape in tiny increments for the past four decades," and examines thorny issues such as the paradox and contradictions embodied in race and patriotism, identity and citizenship; how the civil rights leadership became a political machine; why the term "postracial" is as iniquitous as it is inaccurate; and whether our society has really changed with Obama's election.
Elegantly written and powerfully argued, The Substance of Hope challenges conventional wisdom as it offers original insight into America's future.

Print length

208 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Walker Books
Publication date

May 25, 2010
Dimensions

5.77 x 0.82 x 8.52 inches
ISBN-10

080271739X
ISBN-13

978-0802717399
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Barack Obama was heralded as the next Lincoln before he was even elected. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize without actually having achieved peace anywhere (even in places such as Afghanistan, where peace would be arguably under his control). Cobb has written a lyrical ode to Obama's symbolism: the first black president; the "hip" biracial outsider; the logical successor to Martin Luther King, Jr. Ironically, the book and the President both lack results. Cobb writes beautifully, but he often gets lost in the Obama myth. He's at his most compelling when he leaves the poetry for the pulpit and lets the professor in him take charge (noting, for instance, Obama's astute political calculations, like cutting ties with Jeremiah Wright). Yet his analysis is anything but erudite; Cobb often references pop culture. "In 2002," he recalls, "reporters asked Denzel Washington what it meant for three African Americans to be in contention for the Academy Award. He replied, 'It means that three African Americans are in contention for the Academy Award.' I am tempted to answer the question about the meaning of the black presidency with the same terms." While more hope than substance, Cobb's book is still an eloquent meditation on the meaning of the Obama presidency, all 18 months of it.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Clear, concise writing, a conversational tone, and cogent arguments make this a compelling read, particularly for those with an interest in Obama's presidential campaign and election, but also for students of politics, history, and the Civil Rights Movement. ” ―Library Journal

“Cobb is especially good on the contrast between Obama and Jesse Jackson, whose celebrated work had opened many doors for Obama, but who now failed to inspire most young African-Americans. Obama embodies the face--multiracial and cosmopolitan--of the next generation, and his ‘ultimate significance may be less as a president than as a harbinger of what comes after his presidency.' A rich, provocative meditation on the importance of Obama's election.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“William Jelani Cobb has written a smart and observant reminder of the candidacy and election of President Barack Obama....This little book is packed with common sense observations that are given weight and meaning through Professor Cobb's academic and historical insight.” ―Melissa Harris-Lacewell, associate professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University

“Barack Obama's presidential campaign shone an incisive light on the nation's attitudes about race and on the roots of black political empowerment. William Jelani Cobb provides a wealth of historical background and an eloquent appraisal of the present, as he narrates how a grassroots movement and a cadre of young people (the Joshua generation) successfully fought the established political machine for the hearts and ballots of the black community. An insightful and thought-provoking book.” ―Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP

“William Jelani Cobb's The Substance of Hope is a deft analysis of many vectors brought to bear on the unexpected rise of Barack Obama. With a specific eye towards the overlap between race and age, Cobb deconstructs the politics of the civil rights generation in the Obama age with nuance and honesty. A provocative book, from a provocative mind.” ―Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of The Beautiful Struggle

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Walker Books; 1st edition (May 25, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 080271739X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802717399
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.77 x 0.82 x 8.52 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,426,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #285 in Political Leadership
- #1,261 in Elections
- #5,635 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)

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Amazon Customer

Love this President and book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 14, 2021

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2012

Verified Purchase

The Substance of Hope is an enlightening book on Barack Obama's campaign and election as it relates to race and politics. Through interviews and his experiences on the Obama campaign trail, William Jelani Cobb offers a candid assessment of, among other things: the events surrounding the Reverend Jeremiah Wright situation, the role of Reverend Jesse Jackson plus various black clergy and civil rights leaders, and the comparisons between Obama and FDR and Lincoln.

Cobb deftly tackles the notion that the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American President signifies the end of racism and that we now live in a post-racial society. "He is a president, not an antidote." (p.174). Indeed, it is a paradox of progress.

7 people found this helpful

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WilliamsPhD

Great book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 8, 2017

Verified Purchase

Don't let this book fool you, it may be small but its packed with so much history and political commentary that you forget it is less than 200 pages. I hope Cobb writes a sequel to this book after Obama's tenure in the White House. I highly recommend this book.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

B

I loved how Cobb weaved in history with present day events

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

I loved how Cobb weaved in history with present day events. It's extremely well written with jarring facts and has detailed explanations which have not been revealed previously. Very enlightening text that you cannot put down! I highly recommend it.

2 people found this helpful

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Deskspud

terrific insights but Obama'a ascendancy was

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

Clear, rational, terrific insights but Obama'a ascendancy was, to many millions of Americans THE unmistakable national development in American political, social and historical life

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

The Book Shelf

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2017

Verified Purchase

thanks

One person found this helpful

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Gitte