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The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) | 
 enlarge | Author: Barack Obama
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
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Rating:  640 reviews
Sales Rank: 16
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0307455874
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.04960730092
EAN: 9780307455871
ASIN: 0307455874
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Barack Obama's first book, Dreams from My Father, was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race, identity, and community. With his second book The Audacity of Hope, Obama engages themes raised in his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, shares personal views on faith and values and offers a vision of the future that involves repairing a "political process that is broken" and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with the people. We had the opportunity to ask Senator Obama a few questions about writing, reading, and politics--see his responses below. --Daphne Durham
20 Second Interview: A Few Words with Barack Obama
 Q: How did writing a book that you knew would be read so closely by so many compare to writing your first book, when few people knew who you were?
A: In many ways, Dreams from My Father was harder to write. At that point, I wasn't even sure that I could write a book. And writing the first book really was a process of self-discovery, since it touched on my family and my childhood in a much more intimate way. On the other hand, writing The Audacity of Hope paralleled the work that I do every day--trying to give shape to all the issues that we face as a country, and providing my own personal stamp on them.
Q: What is your writing process like? You have such a busy schedule, how did you find time to write?
A: I'm a night owl, so I usually wrote at night after my Senate day was over, and after my family was asleep--from 9:30 p.m. or so until 1 a.m. I would work off an outline--certain themes or stories that I wanted to tell--and get them down in longhand on a yellow pad. Then I'd edit while typing in what I'd written.
Q: If readers are to come away from The Audacity of Hope with one action item (a New Year's Resolution for 2007, perhaps?), what should it be?
A: Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about. It almost doesnt matter what it is--improving the school system, developing strategies to wean ourselves off foreign oil, expanding health care for kids. We give too much of our power away, to the professional politicians, to the lobbyists, to cynicism. And our democracy suffers as a result.
Q: You're known for being able to work with people across ideological lines. Is that possible in today's polarized Washington?
A: It is possible. There are a lot of well-meaning people in both political parties. Unfortunately, the political culture tends to emphasize conflict, the media emphasizes conflict, and the structure of our campaigns rewards the negative. I write about these obstacles in chapter 4 of my book, "Politics." When you focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points, and emphasize common sense over ideology, you'd be surprised what can be accomplished. It also helps if you're willing to give other people credit--something politicians have a hard time doing sometimes.
Q: How do you make people passionate about moderate and complex ideas?
A: I think the country recognizes that the challenges we face aren't amenable to sound-bite solutions. People are looking for serious solutions to complex problems. I don't think we need more moderation per se--I think we should be bolder in promoting universal health care, or dealing with global warming. We just need to understand that actually solving these problems won't be easy, and that whatever solutions we come up with will require consensus among groups with divergent interests. That means everybody has to listen, and everybody has to give a little. That's not easy to do.
Q: What has surprised you most about the way Washington works?
A: How little serious debate and deliberation takes place on the floor of the House or the Senate.
Q: You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children. What small thing can the average parent (or person) do to help improve the educational system in America? What small thing can make a big impact?
A: Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life. Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that, participating in a literacy program, working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading, helping their children with their literacy skills, can make a huge difference in a child's life.
Q: Do you ever find time to read? What kinds of books do you try to make time for? What is on your nightstand now?
A: Unfortunately, I had very little time to read while I was writing. I'm trying to make up for lost time now. My tastes are pretty eclectic. I just finished Marilynne Robinsons Gilead, a wonderful book. The language just shimmers. I've started Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which is a great study of Lincoln as a political strategist. I read just about anything by Toni Morrison, E.L. Doctorow, or Philip Roth. And I've got a soft spot for John le Carre.
Q: What inspires you? How do you stay motivated?
A: I'm inspired by the people I meet in my travels--hearing their stories, seeing the hardships they overcome, their fundamental optimism and decency. I'm inspired by the love people have for their children. And I'm inspired by my own children, how full they make my heart. They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better. And they make me want to be a better man.
Product Description
The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama's call for a new kind of politics—a politics that builds upon those shared understandings that pull us together as Americans. Lucid in his vision of America's place in the world, refreshingly candid about his family life and his time in the Senate, Obama here sets out his political convictions and inspires us to trust in the dogged optimism that has long defined us and that is our best hope going forward.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 635 more reviews...
Insightful November 29, 2008
This book is highly intellectual. Insights are very deep. I would just like to add a few things:
One has to view the race obsession lightly, it is not always someone's experience.
Obama is a wise man who himself has come to these conclusions - policies that are for everyone's good or are at least viewed that way will always be supported more than policies targeted at a community, as this tends to isolate or make individuals guilty.
 Clearly Sees the Whole Picture November 29, 2008
A close friend gave me this book last week as an early holiday gift and I
can say now after reading it, it truly is a gift. I confess I did vote for Mr Obama because I felt he was the man to lead this country. After reading this book I am more convinced then ever. He paints his vsion beautifully on these pages and best of all clearly sees the whole picture. So inspiring...I am now hopeful and excited for the future of this country.
My Hero November 29, 2008
I am so proud to call Barack Obama my president. After reading this book and giving out several copies to friends I am convinced that finally we have a man at the helm that has a clear vision to unify and uplift this country and the icing on the cake is that he actually 'cares' about the ordinary person and is so authentic. My hat off to you,Barack. I hope everyone reads this book to get what i got out of it.
President-elect Barack Obama November 29, 2008
I had a love/hate relationship with Obama! Years ago before I even heard of him I wanted Hillary Clinton to run for president. But then Obama won and I ended up agreeing with him just as much as I did for Clinton. In the Pennsylvania primary I had a tough choice on who to vote for. I respected both candidates mutually. I ended up voting for Clinton not because she wasn't black, but because I have been a supporter of hers for years. Anyhow this book is great for both Democrats and Republicans. Even Republicans are realizing that we need some change in this country from the current direction of the Bush-controlled white house. Even McCain tried to distance himself from Bush and coencidentally Bush didn't appear at the Republican National Convention. This book is a great story of Obama's idea for America. He showed that his view were popular with Americans struggling to get by and other Americans feeling sympathy for those who were struggling. Now that Obama is elected we can definately see where he is going with his policy choices. I was more than thrilled that he considered Hillary Clinton for the Secretary of State position! I hope with an Obama and Clinton in the white house we can take back our country and start a new direction welcomed by both parties. Whether you're Democrat or Republican you'll enjoy Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." Highly reccomended.
Inspirational and Educational November 29, 2008
In a word, Fantastic!
This autobiography provided a great opportunity to get to know who is now President-Elect Barack Obama. I really felt like I was a bird on his shoulder as he graphically provided a view of Washington and politics not seen or talked about with those not in that circle. It took what I remember about "School House Rock" to another level. A great read...I highly recommend it.
Trinice Speight Moses
Mt. Holly, NJ
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