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The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
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Average Rating:  out of 640 Reviews
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Price: $25.00
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Sale: $13.92
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Manufacturer: Crown
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780307237699
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Hardcover
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Author: Barack Obama
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Publisher: Crown
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Dewey Decimal Number: 973.04960730092
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Publication Date: 2006-10-17
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Reading Level: 384
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Description: 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.
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: High Hopes |
Date: 2008-12-04 |
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Details: I was very interested in this years presidential race, because of the problems that this country faces. Back when the candidates were first vying for position, it was exciting to watch who was rising to the top. At the beginning I didn't think Mr. Obama had much of a chance being that he was young, unknown, inexperienced, etc. The more that I listen to him talk on the TV and the radio the more I become convince that this was the person, out of all the others, who had the character and the savvy to lead and remake this United States of America into a country that we all can be proud of again.
The book helped me get into his mind and way of thinking a bit. A very fast and insightful read. I would like for him to write more books while in the presidency so we could get more of an in depth analysis on the working of government in action as he sees it happen in real time, but I guess we will have to wait until he leaves office, because maybe President Obama is going to have his hands full of other pressing matters. |
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Review Summary: Insightful |
Date: 2008-11-29 |
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Details: 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.
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Review Summary: Clearly Sees the Whole Picture |
Date: 2008-11-29 |
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Details: 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.
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Review Summary: My Hero |
Date: 2008-11-29 |
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Details: 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. |
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Review Summary: President-elect Barack Obama |
Date: 2008-11-29 |
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Details: 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. |
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