Ryan Chartrand“The Audacity of Hope,” the second book by U.S. senator and presidential hopeful Barack Obama, highlights the things he thinks America needs to hear. In a way, the book serves as a sort of preliminary campaign outline; he lays out many of his beliefs, as well as the direction he wants to see America follow.
Much like the well-documented speech he made before the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama’s book focuses on the idea that Americans can be strong in what they believe, but also willing to debate, discuss, and compromise when necessary.
Obama is only one of many current or possible presidential candidates who have become authors; John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, John Edwards, Mike Huckabee, and Hillary Clinton have all written books on themselves. What makes Obama stand out among all of these are his unique suggestions to American citizens. He understands the importance of strong positions, and does not suggest that Americans abandon the values that are important to them for the sake of “bipartisanship.”
Instead, he admonishes citizens to think about the issues that matter most to them and stand behind them with more than just their words. He cites the examples of civil rights leaders Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and John F. Kennedy as people who would not compromise their beliefs, but who were at the same time willing to pay the price for having them.
True to his premise, Obama does not pretend to agree with everyone, and he doesn’t at all beat around the bush when it comes to his liberal views. Because of this, his book is more likely to be praised by Democrats as the work of a future leader, while Republicans will undoubtedly still disagree with him.
However, people of all political views can appreciate this book for its call for honest, thoughtful debate in the political realm. Although he disagrees with the current administration’s positions on issues from healthcare coverage to the war in Iraq, Obama finds more qualms with what he describes as the “the lack of process by which the White House and its congressional allies disposed of opposing views” than the actual stance that conservatives take on such issues. Indeed, he goes on to describe the differences he has with some in the other party as deep but civil (“.as much as I disagreed with Republican policies, I believed they were worthy of serious debate”).
Whereas some will be disappointed in his views on issues, most will be refreshed with Obama’s idea that compromise is possible without forcing people to abandon views that are important to them. While the book is unlikely to sway conservatives, it could be a decisive factor with undecided voters who want to find a standout among all of the presidential contenders.
While the book gives some insight into Obama’s past, readers will want to read his first book, a memoir entitled “Dreams From My Father,” for a more in-depth autobiographical account of his life. The purpose of this book is definitely to lay down a different kind of ideology rather then to inundate readers with anecdotes.
Still, it highlights enough specific, influential events to make him seem like a credible person that you don’t mind curling up with its 400-or-so pages. And while he mostly stays away from his personal life, Obama does delve quite deeply into the specifics of the Senate (think bills, chamber rules, filibusters, etc.); although this could bore some readers, the examples he uses are generally interesting and quite insightful into the true workings of our legislature, and do much to establish Obama as someone who knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the government.
All in all, Obama presents himself as someone who is likeable and trustworthy, even when you might disagree with him. His thoughtful and honest approach to the issues facing the world today establishes him as a viable presidential candidate and as a senator who cares about his country.