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The Audacity of Hope (Abridged): Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream Audiobook
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Publisher Description
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 Obama called “the audacity of hope.”
The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama’s call 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 Barack 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, and members of the Senate is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.
A public servant and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Barack 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.”
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"I read this book before I read dreams from my father and my jaw dropped when I immediately purchased this book when I discovered Obama himself was the narrator. He went into detail about being a senator and his thoughts on his proposed policies and I loved every second of it. I purchased this book with the intention of becoming more acclimated with politics and while this was not entirely about that, it was a great opportunity to get my feet wet. If you're reading this book after his presidency like I am, I know you'll share my same sentiment. We miss you Barack! "
— Calvin (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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He is one of the best writers to enter modern politics.
— Jonathan Alter, Newsweek.com -
[Barack Obama] is that rare politician who can actually write- and write movingly and genuinely about himself...In these pages he often speaks to the reader as if he were an old friend from back in the day, salting policy recommendations with colorful asides about the absurdities of political life...[He] strives in these pages to ground his policy thinking in simple common sense...while articulating these venomous pre-election days, but also in these increasingly polarized and polarizing times.
— Michiko Katutani, New York Times -
[Few] on the partisan landscape can discuss the word 'hope' in a political context and be regarded as the least bit sincere. Obama is such a man, and he proves it by employing a fresh and buoyant vocabulary to scrub away some of the toxins from contemporary political debate. Those polling categories that presume to define the vast chasm between us do not, Obama reminds us, add up to the sum of our concerns or hint at where our hearts otherwise intersect...Obama advances ordinary words like 'empathy', 'humility', 'grace' and 'balance' into the extraordinary context of 2006's hyper-agitated partisan politics. The effect is not only refreshing but also hopeful...As you might anticipate from a former civil lawyer and a university lecturer on constitutional law, Obama writes convincingly about race as well as the lofty place the Constitution holds in American life...He writes tenderly about family and knowingly about faith. Readers, no matter what their party affiliation, may experience the oddly uplifting sensation of comparing the everyday contemptuous view of politics that circulates so widely in our civic conversations with the practical idealism set down by this slender, smiling, 45-year-old former sate legislator who is included on virtually every credible list of future presidential contenders.
— Los Angeles Times -
"What's impressive about Obama is an intelligence that his new books diplays in aubundance.
— Washington Post Book World -
An upbeat view of the country's potential and a political biography that concentrates on the senator's core values.
— Chicago Tribune -
“The self-portrait is appealing. It presents a man of relative youth yet maturity, a wise observer of the human condition, a figure who possesses perseverance and writing skills that have flashes of grandeur. Obama also demonstrates a wry sense of humor…His particular upbringing gives him special insights into the transition of American politics in the 1960s and ’70s from debates over economic principles to a focus on culture and morality, and into the divisiveness, polarization and incivility that accompanied this transition.
— Gary Hart, The New York Times Book Review -
America’s founders set a high standard for political writing, and most contemporary efforts fall woefully short. How nice, then, to have a politician who can write as well as U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. … The Audacity of Hope … is fascinating in its revelation of Obama as someone who considers and questions, rather than asserts and declares. In nine focused chapters, Obama shows himself an agile thinker. This is an idea book, not a public-policy primer.
— Elizabeth Taylor, Philadelphia Daily News“Not only is Obama a good writer, his mind is top-shelf, his heart tender. -
“A thoughtful, careful analysis of what needs to be done to preserve our freedoms in a time of terror.
— Newton N. Minow, Chicago Tribune
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album
The Audacity of Hope Listener Reviews
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Samuel Spencer, 1/12/2023
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" This was a great book, having Obama as the reader was a nice touch as well. I agree that this did sound like a political campaign but anyone interested in politics shouldn't mind. "
— C.D, 6/14/2018 -
" Disclaimer: I am a conservative and this book did not change my mind. President Obama is the king of distracting run-on sentences. Audacity of Hope contains more ramblings and political history according to Obama, with some personal history thrown in the mix, than I was expecting. The book contains very little explanation of Obama's solutions to our nation's problems or how he would vote/run the country (obviously written before he became President). "
— Michelle, 2/16/2014 -
" I read when Obama was running for President. I wanted to learn more about him and this did the job. Recommended. "
— Ben, 2/7/2014 -
" If you are interested in our presidents mind and the way it works, this is the book for you. It really leaves an impression and an understanding of what makes him tick. You may need a dictionary near by in case you don't understand what some of his words mean, but other than that it's a great read. "
— Donell, 2/3/2014 -
" I'm not a Democrat but it was an interesting read. Sometimes it felt more like a campaign speech than a political biography. "
— Chris, 2/2/2014 -
" A talented author. Mostly about politics and policy. "
— Glenda, 1/25/2014 -
" I chose this book because of the title. I still think the title is important in the present time. There are some interesting historical passages and spans a lot of past and present political views. "
— Judy, 1/25/2014 -
" This is great. There are plenty of people who know a whole lot more about how politics work than I do, but goodness, this book encapsulates why I feel the way I do about the President. He just seems like a good man who recognizes the best in us as Americans, and wants us to live up to that goodness. "
— Rachel, 1/8/2014 -
" Barack Obama's optimistic view on life is refreshing. "
— Margaret, 1/7/2014 -
" A word from above. All of Barack's thinking about how to modify and change the world. My only problem was, having seen and heard him so many times, it felt like a read aloud going on in my head. "
— Ken, 1/7/2014 -
" Interesting thoughts on our political system and how it affects someone with high and rather noble aspirations. Enjoyable. I listened to it on CD -- read by the author. "
— Digger's, 1/2/2014 -
" Guess I waited too long to get it. Had heard countless speeches so didn't hold my interest. "
— Sharrolyn, 1/1/2014 -
" It was a bit difficult for me to read but it helps understanding politics in the USA. Quite an interesting man with loads of interesting ideas. "
— Marie, 12/29/2013 -
" Quite a read! Certainly provided insight into the man who would be our President. It gave me a better picture of him as a person than the relentless sound bites. "
— May, 12/24/2013 -
" I have decided to start loosely subscribing to the 50-page rule. I have realized I will never read all the books I want to, and I shouldn't waste time on one that is not engaging me after giving it a fair chance. Thus, I can only give these 1 star "
— David, 12/23/2013 -
" Reading this book right after his election as President, it is amazing to see how well he sticks to his word. Even three years after writing this book, President Obama has stayed true to his message. I am a proud and hopeful American once again. "
— Nichole, 12/13/2013 -
" Love it but not as much as I love his first book. "
— Xu, 12/1/2013 -
" too political to be as good as the first one. "
— RK, 11/26/2013 -
" A very objective criticism of the American way. Obama provides many examples on how in many cases the aspiration of the society is not capped with real efforts to achieve it "
— Bassam, 11/7/2013 -
" The best chapters on the role of government in complex issues such as health care and on the role of faith and separation of church and state. Those chapters alone are worth the book and should be read in schools and by all citizens. "
— Joel, 9/26/2013 -
" After a year in office, what light could this book shed upon his policies and actions thus far. One is struck by the overall sense of pragmatism in the book, and even though one may disagree with many of the inputs, the outputs rest on common ground. "
— Zach, 8/26/2013 -
" When I read this book I thought: WOW, THIS GUY WOULD BE A GREAT PRESIDENT! "
— Fay, 7/9/2013 -
" Ridiculous. As expected. "
— Leslie, 6/30/2013 -
" I wish he could implement all that he dreams. He is a man of great integrity. "
— Bj, 8/15/2012 -
" The phrase "The Audacity of Hope" vcame from Rev Wright. "
— Les, 8/7/2012 -
" just amazing story! "
— Kenan, 4/17/2012 -
" The man is a liar. He sells a bag of cheap tricks "
— Howard, 12/27/2011 -
" I acquired quite a bit of knowledge of how govt. really works and who is sincere about their position in govt. and who isn't. Good book to read! "
— Marilyn, 11/1/2011 -
" A truly inspiring book. It is a shame that bipartisan politics stifle the visions that so many moderate level headed leaders, from both of the leading parties, have that could make our country a great example for leaders of the the rest of the world. "
— Jaybelz, 9/30/2011 -
" He has some great ideas in here and if only the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and in Congress would agree on something, this country would not be in such disrepair. "
— Char, 7/23/2011 -
" Love to hear this man's voice while I'm reading! "
— Perkimom, 6/10/2011 -
" Initially this felt more like a political manifesto than a biography and whilst there are quite a few sections like this, there is more than enough personal insight into the man and the issues that he faced as a Senator that makes this a compelling read. <br/> <br/> "
— Pupsi, 6/7/2011 -
" It took me a really long time to finish this book, not because it wasn't good, just too much other stuff going on. Obama is a poetic writer and very inspirational. Can't wait to read the next one. "
— Zenia, 5/31/2011 -
" I like the way Barack Obama thinks- he is definitely a hero for the people as President of the U.S. I like his style of writing and this book is like a mini version of U S congress and how it works. Alos strong belief in how America needs to be. "
— Mary, 5/22/2011 -
" Read it if you geek out over policy.<br/> "
— Jim, 5/22/2011 -
" This is a valuable read for anyone who wants to get in the mind of President Obama. The book's arguments are generally weak and emotional, but they are worthwhile because of who is giving them. "
— Bdabling, 5/16/2011 -
" 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. "
— Ann, 5/13/2011
About Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States, elected in November 2008 and holding office for two terms. He is the author of two previous New York Times bestselling books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, and the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. In addition to his work as a community organizer, he practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Obama is especially proud of being a husband and father of two daughters.