kellycoburn37's review
3.0
I love Barack Obama and so I give this book 3 stars. Did I fully understand everything he was talking about? Not really. Did I like listening to his opinions? Yes (I listened to the audiobook for this one). A lot if this book probably would have been more applicable to me if I had read it when it initially came out but I did not so 3 stars it is.
inthecommonhours's review
Haven't given up on it...still plan to finish it this winter.
james7634's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
He’s a good guy and has nice practical logic that would lead to a better country. But hearing how dismissive he was of some extreme politics lead directly to where we are.
Overall I wish the world was better and I wish we had more senators and president alike Obama
He is a good moderate and will adequately anger both dems and republicans
It was nice hearing his thought process which was reflected in his presidency
Overall I wish the world was better and I wish we had more senators and president alike Obama
He is a good moderate and will adequately anger both dems and republicans
It was nice hearing his thought process which was reflected in his presidency
jackwwang's review
4.0
Obama proves to be a masterful story-teller in this manifesto of optimism and declaration of political agendas. He comes across as surprisingly candid, and his eloquence conquers his tendency to wax poetic on the cornier subjects of patriotism and cliched optimism. Even when Obama delves into the drudgery of the finer details of policy, he manages to keep the audience interested by a steady dose of often probably-too-good-to-be-unexaggerated anecdotes. Nonetheless, it is reassuring that the leader of the free world is at least intelligent enough to be very articulate and seemingly open about his goals for the nation.
ikuo1000's review
3.0
Obama actually made me feel sympathy towards politicians!
Anyone who criticized Obama during the presidential campaign for being "all rhetoric" should have simply read this book. He explains his politics clearly and eloquently, including his personal motivations and sometimes his perspectives on opposing views. For someone who was already a big Obama fan, this book only cemented my support for him; I whole-heartedly agree with him on almost all issues.
Admittedly, it was not a fast read for me. Much of the book discusses the politics of issues, and call me a lightweight, but despite my interest in the content, I found some portions to be a bit dry. Personal reflections and anecdotes are interspersed throughout the book (including Obama's testimony as a Christian), and those passages were my favorites, holding my interest and giving me incentive to keep reading.
Anyone who criticized Obama during the presidential campaign for being "all rhetoric" should have simply read this book. He explains his politics clearly and eloquently, including his personal motivations and sometimes his perspectives on opposing views. For someone who was already a big Obama fan, this book only cemented my support for him; I whole-heartedly agree with him on almost all issues.
Admittedly, it was not a fast read for me. Much of the book discusses the politics of issues, and call me a lightweight, but despite my interest in the content, I found some portions to be a bit dry. Personal reflections and anecdotes are interspersed throughout the book (including Obama's testimony as a Christian), and those passages were my favorites, holding my interest and giving me incentive to keep reading.
knit3314's review
2.0
I had the audio version and could not finish due to then Senator Obama's monotone voice. It made me want to go to sleep. I like his campaign and Presidential speeches much more.
teribrick14's review
4.0
What I learned: Barack Obama is one smart, charismatic person. I liked him through his writing. It also helped that I listened on audio and he read it himself.
lindsnest13's review
4.0
4.5/5. Fascinating to read 14 years after publication when the political climate described has only been exacerbated. I loved the connections he made between his life experiences and his morals and his political views, and respected his willingness to own the downfalls of his political party. A great read whether or not you agree with him politically. I miss having someone of this moral stature (and general soundness of mind) in the White House.