Book Summaries
“A government that truly represents these Americans–that truly serves these Americans–will require a different kind of politics. That politics will need to reflect our lives as they are actually lived. It won’t be pre-packaged, ready to pull off the shelf. It will have to be constructed from the best of our traditions and will have to account for the darker aspects of our past. We will need to understand just how we got to this place, this land of warring factions and tribal hatreds. And we’ll need to remind ourselves, despite all our differences, just how much we share: common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break.”
–from The Audacity of Hope
In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called “the audacity of hope.”
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 explores those forces–from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media–that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. 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 book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats–from terrorism to pandemic–that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy–where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, 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. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes–“waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them.”
From the Hardcover edition.
The favorable review
A conservative reviews Senator Obama's latest book ....
All too often here on Amazon, we review only those books and authors with which we totally agree...or totally disagree...and give little regard to the quality of the actual contents of the book. And then, our fellow Amazon viewers come along and rate our reviews strictly on the basis of their own partisan biases. This is not very helpful.
I set out to read and review Senator Barack Obama's latest book, not because I agree with everything he has to say, but because I respect and admire him as a thoughtful and eloquent American with a compelling story.
The Senator has a warm and inviting style of communicating that clearly communicates his sincerity and optimism. In short, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE is a generally good and uplifting read. Unlike many of his political contemporaries, Obama discusses values and faith in a manner that is not forced, uncomfortable, or put on...what he says seems to come from the heart. And, he cogently articulates why and how his faith and values cause him to think and act in the way that he does.
He is passionate, but also humble and self-effacing. Perhaps he would not appreciate the comparisons, but his hopeful, non-cynical, and sincere tone, coupled with his large vision, remind me in a positive way of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush.
That is not to say that he would be often in the same political boat as either Reagan or Bush...or Dr. Emil Shuffhausen. I would take issue with some of the Senator's policies (though I believe his goals are noble). For example, I think he over-reaches on the idea of universal health care, and while I do believe there is strong evidence to suggest a warming in the earth's climate, Senator Obama and I would disagree on the primary causes and "cures" for this warming. I don't believe that cutting taxes for those who pay taxes (aka "the rich") is unfair; I don't believe that a "pro-choice" position offers adequate choice for the unborn child. But, I recognize that Senator Obama is--in general--respectful and gracious towards those with whom he disagrees.
I do agree with him that America must overcome our addiction to foreign oil and to oil in general. I do agree that more emphasis needs to be placed on strengthening families and upholding traditional values; on reducing teen pregnancy and the root causes of poverty. Obama's brand of "liberalism" at times seems closer to Bill Clinton's "third way" than to the Michael Moore/George Soros/Rev. Jeremiah Wright school of delusional hatred. Speaking of Rev. Wright, it is difficult to align the overall notion of the "audacity of hope" with Rev. Wright's long history of racially inflammatory remarks.
Senator Obama's stated efforts to transcend partisanship are laudable; the reality of his words and his intentions will surely be tested in years to come. (It would be helpful, perhaps, if he acknowledged more that partisanship is not only the province of "right wing Republicans" but also a staple of many of his Democratic brethren, but, I quibble.)
In the meantime, whether one is a "conservative" or a "liberal," there is much to gain in terms of insight into one of the brightest lights on the American political stage today by reading this book.
The critical review
Mixed Feelings for the Work of a Seemingly-Genuine Junior Senator
Because of all the hubbub about Senator Barack Obama and his (too) early presidential campaigning, I decided to borrow a copy of his new book from the local library. Although I had a preliminary notion that Mr. Obama would be more liberal than me, I came to the work with an open mind. In many ways, the text was very enjoyable to read because the author seems sincere and appears to stand fully behind his convictions on the role of government. In many places, I think that I agree with him even on policy issues (particularly in education). However, this agreement is linked to one of the two issues which tarnished the work for me.
At one point in the text, Mr. Obama says that a cynical electorate is a self-centered one. In the final analysis, he probably hits the nail directly on the head. However, I think that he is a bit naïve in thinking that cynicism is nothing more than self-centered individualism. While I can agree with him on some policy issues, I think that the text is by far too supportive of where the government has come to at this point. A comment like this only affirms the fact that he is perhaps too pleased with "business as usual" or at least the reform thereof. It seems a bit undiscerning to me that he doesn't ask the question of "why" the electorate could be cynical and then figure out that revolution, not just evolution, is necessary in the contemporary political situation.
Additionally, the text is peppered with relativistic though (in mild forms) throughout. However, this is not absolute, for Senator Obama does indeed claim to have a firm belief in the rule of law and the Constitution's special place in political history. I believe this claim to be sincere.
Nonetheless, his condemnation of an electorate which has been made cynical of government (because of a government which is much to be blamed) as well as his relativistic tendencies taint the work without destroying it. I would give it a 3-3.5 / 5 and suggest it if you truly want to look a bit into Senator Obama. If you don't have a drive to do so, I would suggest staying away because the text can be a bit maudlin at times (and therefore can be boring if you haven't a personal drive to finish it).
