I think we all know Barack Obama as the charming, middle-of-the-road Illinois Senator now poised to make a run at the White House in 2008.
While I still believe it's unlikely America is ready for a non-white male Christian President, Obama's book at least gives a vision of what qualities I think the first non-white male Christian President of the United States will probably have to possess: appealing values & integrity.
I knew about as much as the average American about Obama prior to reading "The Audacity of Hope." After completing the book, I can honestly say he is indeed a mild-mannered politician brimming with optimism who believes there's no reason why America's promise can't & shouldn't benefit all.
Obama tends to go the empathetic route (liberal views by some standards) when it comes to helping the poor, fighting poverty and improving the educational system in low-income areas across the country.
He also tends to lean slightly more conservative when it comes to his religious background and acknowledging how that shapes his worldview.
However, the real jackpot of this book and where I think Obama is starting to win fans over is promoting the notion that we all can find COMMON GROUND no matter what our background or personal political perspectives might be.
This isn't necessarily a new concept by any stretch of the imagination, but I think Obama succeeds where many politicians have failed because he still has that "I'll fight for what's best for the common man" approach that so many politicians on his level have lost.
"The Audacity of Hope" in Obama's concept is loosely based on overcoming differences of opinion, Congressional alliances and all of the idling bureaucracies that hinder any real progress to make positive changes Americans can see and touch.
It would take me another 1,000 or so words to break down the book chapter by chapter. Obama, like all politicians, has an opinion on everything.
The only asset I'd add that perhaps hasn't been expressed by other reviewers here is that Obama comes across as very non-threatening, approachable and genuine.
At central focus of "The Audacity of Hope" is Obama detailing how his childhood, racial background, education, religious faith and family values all contributed to shaping who his is today and how he sees the world.
All of these things helped form his opinions on race, politics, war, social welfare, Capitalism, Communism, freedom and matters that pertain to Church v. State.
Yet, his winning points are in understanding how his identity both enhances and in some ways limits his perspectives when it comes to trying to relate to others who come from the opposite end of the spectrum.
This is where putting into action the attempt to find common ground and making sure the good of all Americans truly being made top priority is soooo fundamental.
In other words, Obama knows he doesn't have all the answers and is the first Democrat to openly admit one must listen to the other side (Republicans) because one side doesn't have all the right answers.
As the title of my review states, if you "get this" about Obama's perspectives, "The Audacity of Hope" will either be one of your better or worst reads.
I, for one, understand the value in understanding a point of view counter to my own and the impending necessity in life you'll find in having to work together to tackle a big problem.
Highly recommended read!
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Top reviews from other countries
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Cliente KindleReviewed in Brazil on March 14, 2021
Excelente. Um homem de grande valor e muita sabedoria
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Yves MERLINReviewed in France on March 27, 2020
Pour ceux qui veulent un peu mieux connaître Barrack Obama
