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Obama: From Promise to Power | 
 enlarge | Author: David Mendell
Publisher: Amistad
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.00
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New (46) Used (8) from $6.48
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 12111
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0060858214
Dewey Decimal Number: 328.73092
EAN: 9780060858216
ASIN: 0060858214
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Barack Obama is arguably the most dynamic political figure to grace the American stage since John F. Kennedy. His meteoric rise from promise to power has stunned even the cynics and inspired a legion of devout followers. For anyone who wants to know more about the man who would be president, David Mendell's Obama is essential reading. Mendell, who has covered Obama for the Chicago Tribune since the beginning of Obama's campaign for the Senate, had far-reaching access to the senator, the details of which he shares in this compelling biography. Positioning Obama as the savior of a fumbling Democratic party, Mendell shows how Obama conquered Illinois politics and paved the way brick by brick for a galvanizing, historic presidential run. With exclusive contributions by family members and advisers, and details on Obama's voting record, this is a complete, complex, and revealing portrait, a must read for anyone interested in American politics in general and Senator Barack Obama in particular.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
For an Unfinished Story, Pretty Good June 27, 2008
It is always difficult to write a biography when the subject is 46 years old. It is exponentially more so when two autobiographical works have already been published beforehand.
In Obama: From Promise to Power, David Mendell gives us his vantage point of the presidential candidate and the book derives its strength from Mendell's journalistic coverage since the beginning of Obama's run. Mendell book reads like an extended newspaper profile, covering the major bases without injecting much opinion or going into excessive detail. It is also driven by interviews and quotes of what other people think of Obama, and relatively little from what Obama thought of himself. Through interviews with Obama's sister and grandmother, we learn about his upbringing and the time he spent in Hawaii, from their point of view. Similarly, Obama's time as a community organizer in Chicago is described by Jeremy Kellman, an organizer Obama worked closely with and helped shape some of his ideas. Mendell describes a couple encounters with Obama when he was still an unknown and, one could say, unguarded. These one-on-one conversations between journalist and yet-to-be politician is one thing that gives this book a refreshing perspective. Mendell was one of the first reporters to follow Obama in Chicago, and thus lends the book a revealing perspective on this complex man.
The book has its shortfalls. It may go unsaid, but the book almost begs the reader to read Obama's two autobiographies, Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope. In the first half of the book many quotes from Obama about his early life are directly lifted from Dreams. Also, From Promise to Power is skimpy on Obama's life changing time he spent at Columbia reading and developing his mind. One would like to hear more about it. Also, Obama's time at Harvard Law School is condensed into a short chapter. One would think these formative years helped solidify Obama's thinking about the world. Yet, there are few quotes from Obama himself about them. One must turn to Dreams to learn more. Mendell's book falls somewhat flat in the final third, when Obama rises to national fame. Mendell strains to give his experience following Obama around, while describing the significance of major events such as the 2004 speech at the national convention and Obama's return to Kenya. Much of this is simple narration of events, his experience following Obama with the scores of other reporters and, I think, rings hollow in terms of content compared to earlier chapters. Of course, much of this can be excused since those events are recent and this biography is purposefully unfinished.
Fair Is Fair June 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The author does what any self-respecting journalist would do - paint an accurate acount, as well as it can be done this early in the game. This book may seem completely positive on Obama at first, but, pay attention, and you will be rewarded with unbiased reporting. Some statements that appear as digs, are actually nothing more than honest observations. I liken this "biography" to the Boston Globe's biography on John Kerry. It was fairly positive, but exposed what there was to expose, such as certain character flaws (and historical accounts), etc. Nothing too damaging, but puts things in 3D.
It is balanced. And what comes forth is the impression that Obama is nearly as good as he expresses, but is far from not being a politician. The obvious implication being, that Obama is not impervious to his own message of change. Obama has tactics, folks. He isn't a saint. Still, you do get the impression that he's a smart, intuitive, ambitious, and nice guy.
I recommend this, along with "audacity", for an appropriate picture of the man Barack Omama. Just, when you read "audacity", know that you're getting BO's talents on full display, and not an authoritative look at the man. Politicians are politicians - you know, some more gifted than others. It's always a lesser of evils scenario. Always.
 The Making of the President 2008 May 26, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A very good read. From his early ambition of running for Mayor of Chicago to his "warp-speed ascension" to a presidential contest, "Obama' provides fair reporting of the man and a revealing look at the political machine surrounding him. I found this third-party look at the candidate to be a very useful balancing tool in my own research for November.
Thanks, Mr. Mendell.
Very interesting... April 20, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As an Obama supporter, I was interested in finding out more about "what makes him tick". I read some of both of Obama's own books, but the perspective of a third party has always appealed to me. I found this book to be well written and easy to read. I look forward to the author's new book on Obama coming out soon, in which I hope he'll pick up where he left off.
Excellent reporting on how Obama became who he is March 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A good read, and useful supplement to Obama's own writings, fleshing out some of his background and how he developed his character over the years.
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