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I have been trying very hard to make myself read this book with very limited success. I believe Obama is someone who intended to fundamentally change America, in the very worst possible ways, and has succeeded to a large extent. I believe we are worse off in almost every measurable way and in almost every non measurable way since the beginning of his first term. I bought the book hoping to gain some insights but nausea has kept me from devouring this book where as I am usually voracious with my books. What I did read was definitely consistent with what I see as his "roots". He grew up everywhere but here and in societies that bear very remote resemblance to the American way. No surprise he cant embrace what being an American is. Read at your own peril.
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I began reading this book at a friend's house and found it so interesting that I immediately purchased it as an audiobook. However, I quickly realized that I preferred the text version. Though much has been made of Mr. Obama's incredible speaking skills (he even won a Grammy for the audiobook), in my opinion, his words are MUCH better on the page. (Which is, perhaps, saying a lot?) It's also important to know that the audiobook is pretty seriously abridged. Two chapters have been completely eliminated (criminal, considering the book only has 10 chapters), and the remaining chapters have been condensed, eliminating various details and personal anecdotes. After investing 6+ hours, I'd be annoyed to find that the book I experienced wasn't the same book everyone else experienced. How they convinced the author to do this to his own work, I do not know. Other reviewers have covered the content of the book, so I won't repeat their efforts here, except to say that Mr. Obama shows a clear talent for (and refreshing respect for) thoughtful problem-assessment. Though he offers few concrete solutions to the problems he discusses, that's not a negative, as it is clearly not his intention to do so. (After all, the book is not subtitled "How to Reclaim the American Dream.") Instead, his essays are presented as substantial food-for-thought (and hopefully fuel for action). The fact that so many reviewers have complained of the lack of solutions just goes to show how desperately we want them, and how important we think real solutions are. Yet every day, we perpetuate a style of politics and political discourse that doesn't focus on-- or seem able to produce-- real, viable solutions. Mr. Obama's book reminds us that liberal or conservative, the solutions we hope for are not going to magically come about unless we find a new (or perhaps old?) way to talk about, and achieve, what we want. The thesis of the book is not so much "We need to do this, this and this!!" as it is "Our problems are real but solvable-- if we can manage to think clearly."Vollständige Rezension lesen
We are a Book Club of 6 retired woman who get together once a month and discuss a book choosen by the group. Our Book Club likes to choose books that enlilghten us on relevant topics and cultures. We discuss how the book relates to us personally as well as nationally or globally. Geting insight into Obama at this time with the presidentionl nomination coming up was great. The book helped to clarify some of the misconceptions that might have been inferred in the media. (lack of significant involvement in Islamic practices or philosophy) At the writing of the book he didnt seem to have aspirations for the highest level of politics so hopefully there was no "spin" to it.
Well-written, thought-provoking, and refreshingly non-political. Barack Obama wrote this book BEFORE he entered the political arena. Essentially an autobiography of his unusual beginnings. I admire that he allowed it to be re-released in its original version, without cleaning up some parts. He is honest about his college experiences, his drug use, and his thoughts about the projects in Chicago. I had to mark this Good instead of Excellent, because the middle part, about learning to organize the poor for reform in Chicago did get a bit tedious. The beginning about his childhood, and the last part about returning to his roots in Africa, were fascinating. Regardless of your political persuasions, you will enjoy this book!
I bought this because I really enjoyed "The Audacity of Hope" about his views on and experiences in politics during his Senate years and earlier. This, however, is an in-depth biography of Obama and his family and the times he's lived through in various countries. What an enchanting boyhood, but how scary! He could have died from several situations and then we would have missed his great Presidency and the efforts he's made to give us all more hope. I recommend both of his books and can hardly wait for the next one when he recovers from the White House years and tells us all about that journey.
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