Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number.

Buy Used
$2.31
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Missing shrink-wrap, activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Small wrinkle / bend on front cover. Small wrinkle / bend on back cover.

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon
Flip to back Flip to front
Listen Playing... Paused   You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more
See all 2 images

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) Mass Market Paperback – July 15, 2008

4.0 out of 5 stars 1,170 customer reviews

See all 40 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
Mass Market Paperback
"Please retry"
$4.98 $0.01

Fraying at the Edge: A Novel (The Amish of Summer Grove) by Cindy Woodsmall
Fraying at the Edge
A Novel by Cindy Woodsmall | Learn more | See related books
click to open popover

Special Offers and Product Promotions


NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
The latest book club pick from Oprah
"The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead is a magnificent novel chronicling a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. See more

Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (July 15, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307455874
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307455871
  • Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,170 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

Format: Hardcover
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.
Read more ›
135 Comments 2,191 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
I wasn't expecting a whole lot from The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. I thought it would be a lengthy stump speech, worth knowing but no revelations. What I found, however was a thoughtful plan, mapping out a direction for restoring common sense into the political process. Obama is a well-spoken, well-written, humble man who really knows how to articulate a message. He uses personal anecdote, history, Constitutional interpretation, and a healthy respect for the expertise of others in building a cohesive platform for success. Were it delivered consistently as well as he delivered his prose in this books, it would be the basis for repairing many of the rifts in the political landscape torn apart by extremism.

What really impressed me about his ideas was the respect he showed to the opposition. The book lacked the vitriol common to today's political discussion, more rightly called bucks in rut. He recognizes that most people don't live, eat, breath, and bleed politics. Most people have families and jobs and lives to live. Most people have dozens of important issues that are important to them and aren't nearly as extremist in their views as our dichotomous news media would have us believe. People want the opportunity for comfort, education, success, security, and happiness. Obama knows this and writes eloquently about it - it's not us vs. them, but it's us trying to succeed together.

His positions are clear - protect American jobs, regulate for safety with a mind toward capitalistic growth, health care for all, and a strong education system. He describes the process by which Republicans framed the debate, usurping issues and positions, claiming them as their own.
Read more ›
Comment 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover
I got this Saturday and have enjoyed reading it.

Essentially, Obama calls for an end to the paritsan bickering and tendencies to demonize in American politics today. While he criticizes some of the stands of Presidents George Bush Jr. and Ronald Reagan, he also admits to the good he finds in both men as well as admitting some of the mistakes of the far left.

The chapter on race is a good articulation of the feelings of post-civil rights movement African-Americans who do not subscribe to either the extreme Christian right or the extreme Black nationalists. Nice to know that there is an ideological place for black centrists of our generation.

The chapter about the Constitution shows his background on teaching Constitutional law, which may be a bit much for the nonacademic reader, but his sentiments on this and other issues seem heartfelt.

I found this book similar in tone to Bobby Kennedy's "To Seek a Newer World" (1967) and Booker T. Washington's "My Larger Education" (1911).

He adds a lot of personal anecdotes (especially about his family) to prove his points, which makes the book more engaging.

Political reconciliation almost seems like an oxymoron in these polarized times, Obama tries to prove this is not necessarily the case. Read it and see what you think.
Comment 6 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I purchased this book following the 2004 Democratic Convention because of the speech President, then Senator Obama gave. I wanted to know more about this man. When I think back over his years as President, nothing really surprises me. Getting to understand the man through this book helps one understand how the man operates. I will say, I find him to be someone that remains true to himself. Watching him continue to evolve is awesome.
Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews