The Audacity of Hope Barack Obama

The Audacity of Hope Barack Obama 

Overview:

Who is the audience for this book? Most people buy it to keep it on their coffeetable to start conversations -- the typical voter would not read it through. Most political analysts know everything that's in here already -- there are no daring new policies nor deep personal revelations. I've concluded that the intended audience is the excerpter -- people like me. This book got excerpted in Time magazine, for example, and Obama got a big cover spread, with a presidential headline. The Time excerpts were pleasant to read -- a little uplift for a few pages. But the book is just so chock-full of respectfulness and understanding and consensus-building and bipartisanship that no excerpter can find anything BUT uplift in any excerpt.

This is exactly the sort of book needed for the presidential trail. Having the book on coffeetables across America, despite being unread, means Barack's smiling face is in people's living rooms and he's in people's conversations. Having uplifting anecdotes excerpted in Time and OnTheIssues means people will read about their favorite topic, be uplifted, and repeat the anecdote to their fellow voters. It doesn't matter that the SAME formula is used for EVERY issue -- people aren't interested in EVERY issue, just their favorite ones. But if you want to get to know Obama, read instead Dreams From My Father, which is indeed a revealing biography and a deep look at his compelling personal story.

All in all, The Audacity of Hope is an optimistic look at America. Obama uses the book to share his perspective on America's history, present situation, and the challenges the country must overcome in order to have a prosperous future. Throughout the book, Obama makes an effort to point out strengths and weaknesses in both parties' positions, although he admits upfront that as a Democrat his opinions will naturally fall more in line with liberal politics.

Indeed, for all Obama's peacemaking effort, many of the policy changes he champions in The Audacity of Hope sound like standard Democratic fare. He does, however, pull in from hardline rhetoric. His gracious, accommodating and hopeful tone provide a pleasant new package for ideas that may not be entirely original.

ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Sincerelyours

And Blessed Are The Ones Who Care For Their Fellow Men!