Getting to Know BarackAugust 29, 2008 For anyone who has been following Obama's campaign, reading The Audacity of Hope will dispel once and for all any notion of his insincerity, being "too good to be true", or flip-flopping--all of which have been thrown out at us as discouraging comments. Throughout his book, written before he tossed his hat in the ring, one witnesses his most deeply held values. The wondrous part is that they are perfectly consistent with the values he has been espousing on the campaign trail. This takes one by surprise, given the fact that he is campaigning for a political office. After reading his book, one can readily believe that his having to counter McCain's style of campaigning must be gut-wrenching for Obama. Mud-slinging is totally unlike, and against, the very fabric of his being.
His book--beautifully written by him, not a ghost writer--also demonstrates the depth of his vision and coherence of all he sees. These are rare traits in someone of his age. He takes us on a tour of Congress, of politics, of his mind, and other topics, reflecting all the way on his assessment of what is happening and his response to it. This gives the reader a behind-the-scenes picture of how he would most likely approach the Presidency.
Lastly, his book shows the care and attention he gives to others' ideas--even those of Republicans. He truly respects all persons, valuing them just for being other human beings like himself. Because he listens, hears, and values what others have to say, the gnawing feeling one may have about his lack of experience becomes assuaged. He may not have had the on-the-job training that unquestionably would be useful as President, but he is clearly bright enough to surround himself with those who do have the needed experience. More importantly, he shows no signs of egocentricity, giving him the capacity to take others' advice, filter it through his brilliant and well-ordered mind, and come out with his own, value-based decisions. It makes one think, "I could be proud to have that kind of President."
obama is a muslimAugust 29, 2008 0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R259X44BA4PE44 obama is a muslim and is pretending to be a Christian to get the votes. muslims lie to get what they want - I saw first hand in the mideast last year. If he were a Christian, he would be against killing unborn babies and would be against deviant sexual BEHAVIOR.
Great writing and wonderful entertainment // ciao // gurkhaAugust 27, 2008 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book was a wonderful surprise. To tell you the truth, I bought it because my foster grandson Lois goes to the same school as the author's literary agent's children, and I felt that it would be the right thing to support local people.
I am a rather conservative reader in my tastes. I like good writing skills, a reasonable plot, a read which is not relying on too much "experimental" writing (such as misspelled slang that makes you wonder what the author/character meants). I want to enjoy reading a book, and, if possible, not be so discouraged that suicide seems to be a rationale course of action.
This book reached 5 stars at almost every level. First, it is a true page turner, one of those books which you cannot put down until you are done with it - not so much because you want to know what will happen (although there is a bit of that too) - but because it plays with your emotions and enjoyment in such an unusual way. The language is wonderful - precise when discussing a detail oriented individual, passionate for a romantic, always well tuned to the characters and to the events. The vocabulary is full, although not as rich, maybe, as Joseph Conrad. The characters are deeply etched and displayed, yet not revealed to their innermost layers. They are unusual and interesting, yet not so outrageous that you are interested in them because of their anomalous behavior. The story is non-linear and absolutely ignores classical rules of composition, yet it achieves grandeur which reminds you a bit, without all the pathos, of Sempleton-MacFee (although the large number of characters also contributes to that echo). The period seems quite well researched, and the author has mixed in his story true details as well as "fake" notes or "small history" regarding his own made-up additions, sometimes creating funny or ironic moments.
I was impressed by the story and how the writer is able to sell us that story - very few could have pulled it off. I loved the language and its effects. I enjoyed the mix of post modernity and classicism. I loved the book and at the same time enjoyed the fact that it stretched my tastes in literature. I am still trying to describe what makes this such a wonderful novel - it might be the non-linearity of its story, the seeming lack of logic that some of its turns have, and yet the richness of the language and of the events it depicts.
But: Some loops in the story are superfluous and could have been cut to greater effect and Obama (as well as several minor characters) lack true depth and seem to be paper folks imagined by some spin doctor. Not real people with flaws and anger and errors and upset dreams.
So only 3 stars eventhough this novel is one of the best I have read this year.
ciao // gurkha
Great orator, but an empty suit?August 25, 2008 1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I must add that Mr. Obama is a great speaker but in the end he sounds like a politician dreaming of Utopia with a past touching every walk of life to give him a superior in depth view of ....everything. Although I am no fan of Mr. Obama, I did enjoy reading this book. In the end what did I get out of this book? Alot of babble about his life and experiences and what/why he thinks as he does. I haven't to date heard any definitive statements from Obama on what he stands for other that against the war in Iraq, pro-choice, and in favor of taxes. I'm more interested in a person with great ideas-------BUT moreover ways to get to an endpoint, not muddle around in the hypothetical and no true solutions (just questions about what the problem currently is). Spit it out Mr. Obama......please!! There are many great points about how and why he thinks but in the end, I see an empty suit as many other politicians that speak of change. I recommend the book for an uplifting view of his life without many negative facts or true insights into his inner conflicts. We all need to be more educated about politicians; this book is just FLUFF. Good read to better understand Mr. Obama and see, he stands for everything, but nothing in the end. Don't ask him a yes or no question because we will get another book about his life. Obama Nation is also another interesting book about Mr. Obama. Different but nonetheless interesting. It seems all of America is looking for a modern day Patton dressed as Ghandi to be the next president, Mr. Obama is neither. Read this book and you may agree.....or disagree.
American Patriotism at Its BestAugust 25, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A must for anyone's library and a great read. Easy to follow, clear, and a concise and logical plan for rebuilding America into the nation it should be, the nation that was designed by our Constitution, with freedom and justice for all.
