Author: Barack Obama

Published by Canongate, 2006

$18.99

362 pages

By: Stephen Roesler

Barack Obama promises a lot. His inclusive political policy and empathy for the less fortunate remain inspiring, but is it highly idealized.

Politics aside, the book is fantastic.  Not only does Obama understand America’s thirst for new administration and modern politics, he presents his ideas in a clear and digestible manner for many demographics. “The Audacity of Hope” contains chapters on race, faith, values and opportunities.  Each functions to explain its relevancy to both a high browed CEO and an average American citizen.  Not only does the Senator from Illinois know how to write, he knows how to sell books as well.

His previous novel, a memoir entitled “Dreams of My Father,” traces Obama’s heritage and clarifies his political ideals.  Named the number one best seller on college campuses by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Obama proved himself a momentous writer.  Where “Dreams of my Father” remains a reflective memoir, the novel lays a foundation for his newest work, “The Audacity of Hope.”

At a little over 350 pages, Obama details his policies, explains his job as a senator and provides useful context throughout each respective subject. And in an attempt to make himself relatable, he revisits his family life numerous times, usually making a rather typical joke along the lines of his wife being the more attractive intelligent of the two.  He says, “I nod, knowing that if I ever had to run against her [his wife] for public office, she would beat me without much difficulty.” Cute. But we’ve all heard it.

Maybe humor is not his strong suit, but an arduous analysis of foreign policy in a chapter entitled, “The World Beyond our Borders,” makes up for it.  Obama uses Indonesia as a metaphor for U.S. foreign policy.  “With more than 240 million people, Indonesia’s population ranks fourth in the world…more than 700 ethnic groups reside within the country’s borders, and more than 742 languages are spoken there.”  The chapter goes on to examine the effects of globalization and sectarianism, ultimately aimed to justify Obama’s foreign policy strategy.

His most notable theme throughout the book exemplifies struggling individuals.  Insisting that the best way to grow our economy is from the bottom up, his focus remains on examples like Tim Wheeler, a middle class laborer who recently lost his job.  Wheelers son needed a liver transplant and with no job, no health care benefits and a dwindling savings account, the chances looked grim.  While we don’t hear the outcome of Wheeler’s circumstance, we do understand Obama’s reasoning – “the ownership society,” pushed by President Bush, left men like Wheeler helpless.  According to Obama, this should change.

The examples of the underrepresented middle class permeate the entire novel, but ultimately leave the reader questioning Obama’s method for change.  He answers by weaving in his experience as the editor for The Harvard Law Review, a civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law and ultimately his role as a Senator.  Throughout the various roles, he suggests his ability to embrace the incongruities of each position, suggesting his unwavering sense of self.  “I find comfort in the fact that the longer I’m in politics the less nourishing popularity becomes, that a striving for power and rank and fame seems to betray a poverty of ambition, and that I am answerable mainly to the steady gaze of my own conscience.”

And what would an American politician be without some reference faith in society?

Obama tells a story of him on his way to a city council meeting.  Insisting he enter the meeting through the main entrance, he ran into anti-abortion protestors.  A middle aged man in a cardinal hat and a plaid shirt approached Obama to commend him on being a “Christian.”  Obama thanked him and the man replied, “so how can you support murdering babies?”  After some disagreement, the man’s wife added, “I will pray for you.  I will pray you have a change of heart.”

Shocking stories like these lead into Obama’s struggles with his own family.  In a chapter entitled, “Family,” Obama reveals personal circumstances and marriage difficulties due to long work hours and a newborn child.  “You only think about yourself,” his wife told him.  “I never thought I’d have to raise a family alone.”

But the seriousness is balanced by a wealth of lighthearted encounters.  In one instance, his eldest daughter, Malia, coaches him on twenty-first century etiquette.  After Obama shook hands with Malia’s seven-year-old friend, Malia asserts, “you don’t shake hands with kids. You just say ‘hey.’ Sometimes you wave.  That’s pretty much it.”  After an apology, she replies, “that’s ok, Daddy.  You didn’t know, because you’re used to shaking hands with grown-ups.”

These illustrative examples are woven throughout, each offering the reader a sense of perspective amid the absurdities of political life.  Detailing the heady nuances of the war in Iraq, our economic situation, and religion in American are serious and deeply contemplative topics. But Obama’s deep moral concern shown in the awareness of his own family adds an exceptional element.

Obama’s impressive intelligence, staggering practicality, and rich intelligence make his newest book a necessary addition to every American’s library.  But cynics beware,

“The Audacity of Hope” serves a potent dose of idealism bordering unrealistic.