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The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream | 
 enlarge | Creator: Barack Obama
Publisher: Random House Audio
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $22.97
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Avg. Customer Rating:  553 reviews
Sales Rank: 103247
Format: Abridged, Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Abridged
Number Of Items: 5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.1 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 0739334085
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.04960730092
EAN: 9780739334089
ASIN: 0739334085
Publication Date: October 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
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Amazon.com
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 doesn't 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 Robinson's 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
In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics–a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the “endless clash of armies” we see in Congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of “our improbable experiment in democracy.” He also writes, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment.
At the heart of this audiobook is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, and even the president is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.
A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 548 more reviews...
 Delivery service great - content questionable July 23, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Although very well written, the book reads like a self congratulatory thesis. I wanted to learn more about Obama before voting in November, as the press hypes everything and we live now in the age of 'gotcha politics'. I am also reading McCain's book 'Faith of my Fathers.' Hopefully both these efforts will allow me to have a more balanced view of both candidates and most importantly - what they believe will be their uppermost challenges in the coming 4 years.
A refreshing view of politics and the family of those in politics July 21, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am not into politics but since there is too much at stake to today I decided that should read as much as I could about the candidates running for the higher office of this country. I found the ideas and overall content of this book very refreshing but the chapter that had the most impact on me is the one about family. It is a good book to read and to get Barack's side of his story and not to just take what the media and the Youtube presents to us.
A thoughtful book--says a lot about Obama July 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There's been a lot of talk about how people don't know Obama, and how they don't feel entirely comfortable with him as a candidate. Whether this is due to his unique background (living in Indonesia), his race, or the recent attention directed at his pastor, The Audacity of Hope is worth reading for the way it helps the reader know more about Barack Obama.
He comes across as an eloquent, thoughtful, self deprecating, and, at times, even hesitant man. He recognizes his shortcomings as both a father and a politician, and when it comes to taking a stand on issues, he weighs them carefully (like a true law student, for those who have been there). I find these qualities to be positive for a potential presidential candidate. Of course, one will come away from reading this book knowing more about Obama's opinions on religion, the Iraq war, education, family values, and economic policies. But if the real worry about Obama is his quality as a human being, then this book should give anyone insight into that issue.
 Reclaiming America July 20, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I first feel the need to note that many of the negative reviews of this book are from people that have not actually read the book and never had any intention of voting for Barack Obama. Hence the reason for disliking the book and the ideology presented in the book. In the early pages of the book, it is explained to be a vision more than a "cure all" or the answer to every problem which plagues America. Not only is this an improvement on the status quo, but it amounts to change from the failed current status quo.
Many other reviewers, who have actually read the book, have done a fantastic job of recounting the highlights and facts presented in this book. I will note that Obama's statements on compromise, value, and family were true highlights. It is also often forgotten that Democrats are Christians too.
Reading this book, it saddens me to think of the direction in which the country is headed. Accepting cheap soundbites from cable news networks as the whole story or chain emails as fact, I think we have lost a sense of what it means to be an American. Conservatives may offer solutions, but have forgotten the art of compromise in the sake of progress. Republican and Democrats are both capable of good ideas. Politics is a divisive team sport, more so than ever. For this reason, I can respect John McCain for his willingness to disagree with his party on occassion. I hope he continues to work this way in the senate for this forseeable future.
I believe Americans can have better. Thomas Jefferson believed the government should be completely replaced every few years to avoid factionalism and the non-action that plagues the government. I would like to see Obama begin the replacing. While I may not agree with all of his ideas, I agree with him on more platforms than most.
Wow!!! five stars July 18, 2008
If you want to know Barack Obama's views on the issues just read this book. From politics to family this book tells all. His honesty and desire for you to know the real Barack Obama comes through loud and clear in this book. I laughed at times, I smiled to myself, and all the while I was so impressed by his candor and willingness to share the real him with his readers. Fantastic book and I highly recommmend it to all.
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