The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
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- Author：Barack Obama
- ISBN：1847670830
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Summary
Barack Obama's first book， Dreams from My Father， was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race， identity， and community。 With his second book The Audacity of Hope， Obama engages themes raised in his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention， shares personal views on faith and values and offers a vision of the future that involves repairing a "political process that is broken" and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with the people。 Amazon。com had the opportunity to ask Senator Obama a few questions about writing， reading， and politics--see his responses below。
Q: How did writing a book that you knew would be read so closely by so many compare to writing your first book， when few people knew who you were？
A: In many ways， Dreams from My Father was harder to write。 At that point， I wasn't even sure that I could write a book。 And writing the first book really was a process of self-discovery， since it touched on my family and my childhood in a much more intimate way。 On the other hand， writing The Audacity of Hope paralleled the work that I do every day--trying to give shape to all the issues that we face as a country， and providing my own personal stamp on them。
Q: What is your writing process like？ You have such a busy schedule， how did you find time to write？
A: I'm a night owl， so I usually wrote at night after my Senate day was over， and after my family was asleep--from 9:30 p。m。 or so until 1 a。m。 I would work off an outline--certain themes or stories that I wanted to tell--and get them down in longhand on a yellow pad。 Then I'd edit while typing in what I'd written。
Q: If readers are to come away from The Audacity of Hope with one action item （a New Year's Resolution for 2007， perhaps？）， what should it be？
A: Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about。 It almost doesn't matter what it is--improving the school system， developing strategies to wean ourselves off foreign oil， expanding health care for kids。 We give too much of our power away， to the professional politicians， to the lobbyists， to cynicism。 And our democracy suffers as a result。
Q: You're known for being able to work with people across ideological lines。 Is that possible in today's polarized Washington？
A: It is possible。 There are a lot of well-meaning people in both political parties。 Unfortunately， the political culture tends to emphasize conflict， the media emphasizes conflict， and the structure of our campaigns rewards the negative。 I write about these obstacles in chapter 4 of my book， "Politics。" When you focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points， and emphasize common sense over ideology， you'd be surprised what can be accomplished。 It also helps if you're willing to give other people credit--something politicians have a hard time doing sometimes。
Q: How do you make people passionate about moderate and complex ideas？
A: I think the country recognizes that the challenges we face aren't amenable to sound-bite solutions。 People are looking for serious solutions to complex problems。 I don't think we need more moderation per se--I think we should be bolder in promoting universal health care， or dealing with global warming。 We just need to understand that actually solving these problems won't be easy， and that whatever solutions we come up with will require consensus among groups with divergent interests。 That means everybody has to listen， and everybody has to give a little。 That's not easy to do。
Q: What has surprised you most about the way Washington works？
A: How little serious debate and deliberation takes place on the floor of the House or the Senate。
Q: You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children。 What small thing can the average parent （or person） do to help improve the educational system in America？ What small thing can make a big impact？
A: Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life。 Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that， participating in a literacy program， working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading， helping their children with their literacy skills， can make a huge difference in a child's life。
Q: Do you ever find time to read？ What kinds of books do you try to make time for？ What is on your nightstand now？
A: Unfortunately， I had very little time to read while I was writing。 I'm trying to make up for lost time now。 My tastes are pretty eclectic。 I just finished Marilynne Robinson's Gilead， a wonderful book。 The language just shimmers。 I've started Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin， which is a great study of Lincoln as a political strategist。 I read just about anything by Toni Morrison， E。L。 Doctorow， or Philip Roth。 And I've got a soft spot for John le Carre。
Q: What inspires you？ How do you stay motivated？
A: I'm inspired by the people I meet in my travels--hearing their stories， seeing the hardships they overcome， their fundamental optimism and decency。 I'm inspired by the love people have for their children。 And I'm inspired by my own children， how full they make my heart。 They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better。 And they make me want to be a better man。
Q: How did writing a book that you knew would be read so closely by so many compare to writing your first book， when few people knew who you were？
A: In many ways， Dreams from My Father was harder to write。 At that point， I wasn't even sure that I could write a book。 And writing the first book really was a process of self-discovery， since it touched on my family and my childhood in a much more intimate way。 On the other hand， writing The Audacity of Hope paralleled the work that I do every day--trying to give shape to all the issues that we face as a country， and providing my own personal stamp on them。
Q: What is your writing process like？ You have such a busy schedule， how did you find time to write？
A: I'm a night owl， so I usually wrote at night after my Senate day was over， and after my family was asleep--from 9:30 p。m。 or so until 1 a。m。 I would work off an outline--certain themes or stories that I wanted to tell--and get them down in longhand on a yellow pad。 Then I'd edit while typing in what I'd written。
Q: If readers are to come away from The Audacity of Hope with one action item （a New Year's Resolution for 2007， perhaps？）， what should it be？
A: Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about。 It almost doesn't matter what it is--improving the school system， developing strategies to wean ourselves off foreign oil， expanding health care for kids。 We give too much of our power away， to the professional politicians， to the lobbyists， to cynicism。 And our democracy suffers as a result。
Q: You're known for being able to work with people across ideological lines。 Is that possible in today's polarized Washington？
A: It is possible。 There are a lot of well-meaning people in both political parties。 Unfortunately， the political culture tends to emphasize conflict， the media emphasizes conflict， and the structure of our campaigns rewards the negative。 I write about these obstacles in chapter 4 of my book， "Politics。" When you focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points， and emphasize common sense over ideology， you'd be surprised what can be accomplished。 It also helps if you're willing to give other people credit--something politicians have a hard time doing sometimes。
Q: How do you make people passionate about moderate and complex ideas？
A: I think the country recognizes that the challenges we face aren't amenable to sound-bite solutions。 People are looking for serious solutions to complex problems。 I don't think we need more moderation per se--I think we should be bolder in promoting universal health care， or dealing with global warming。 We just need to understand that actually solving these problems won't be easy， and that whatever solutions we come up with will require consensus among groups with divergent interests。 That means everybody has to listen， and everybody has to give a little。 That's not easy to do。
Q: What has surprised you most about the way Washington works？
A: How little serious debate and deliberation takes place on the floor of the House or the Senate。
Q: You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children。 What small thing can the average parent （or person） do to help improve the educational system in America？ What small thing can make a big impact？
A: Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life。 Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that， participating in a literacy program， working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading， helping their children with their literacy skills， can make a huge difference in a child's life。
Q: Do you ever find time to read？ What kinds of books do you try to make time for？ What is on your nightstand now？
A: Unfortunately， I had very little time to read while I was writing。 I'm trying to make up for lost time now。 My tastes are pretty eclectic。 I just finished Marilynne Robinson's Gilead， a wonderful book。 The language just shimmers。 I've started Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin， which is a great study of Lincoln as a political strategist。 I read just about anything by Toni Morrison， E。L。 Doctorow， or Philip Roth。 And I've got a soft spot for John le Carre。
Q: What inspires you？ How do you stay motivated？
A: I'm inspired by the people I meet in my travels--hearing their stories， seeing the hardships they overcome， their fundamental optimism and decency。 I'm inspired by the love people have for their children。 And I'm inspired by my own children， how full they make my heart。 They make me want to work to make the world a little bit better。 And they make me want to be a better man。
Reviews
Lai J
，
Easy read。My copy of this book was actually loaned to me by my friend Ben whose Canadian mother gifted the book to him。I think the reason why everyone loves Obama is because he has a way of putting people at ease instead of rubbing them the wrong way like Donald Trump。 I think Donald Trump wants to be loved by everyone - he just can’t help upsetting everyone！ It’s not his fault that he screams SUCCESS！
Milkah
，
Barack Obama's storyline of his transition from one office to another till his presidential sit， gives inside occurs and events 。 He outlines his views， challenges and inspiration in his progress and attempts in determined of archiving an ''American Dream'' Barack Obama's storyline of his transition from one office to another till his presidential sit， gives inside occurs and events 。 He outlines his views， challenges and inspiration in his progress and attempts in determined of archiving an ''American Dream'' 。。。more
Robyn Denise
，
I listened to the audiobook cause I just can't get enough of Barak Obama's velvet voice！This book had a lot about the workings （or lack thereof） of American politics， which wasn't for me， but would be of interest to some。 Obama referenced many people， bills， initiatives， etc。 that I don't know anything about。 So， I tuned out sometimes。However， the book reminded me of Obama's idealism， and the fact that he was elected based on idealism and hope and a vision of a together America where people care I listened to the audiobook cause I just can't get enough of Barak Obama's velvet voice！This book had a lot about the workings （or lack thereof） of American politics， which wasn't for me， but would be of interest to some。 Obama referenced many people， bills， initiatives， etc。 that I don't know anything about。 So， I tuned out sometimes。However， the book reminded me of Obama's idealism， and the fact that he was elected based on idealism and hope and a vision of a together America where people cared about each other。 And that made me feel good about people。 This book was written during Obama's time in the Senate， when George W was president and before （he or） T-Rump was president， so it's an interesting perspective， especially on hindsight。And I love all the anecdotes about himself and Michelle。 。。。more
Kimberly Beckham
，
Solid book。 I actually wasn’t aware this was a political book but it was nice to hear / read the basis of what Pres Obama was trying to achieve。 I think many of us have forgotten how much of a moderate he was （is）。
Jenna
，
I listened to the audio book version， and this one took a while for me to get through for some reason。 I love listening to Obama and really enjoyed “Dreams From My Father”， but this book was a very dry read （or in my case， listen）。
Kay Lehmann
，
Mostly this was an informative and insightful read！ This is a book I have heard about for at least a decade， and it was time I read it。 That makes it sound like a chore but it wasn't。 It was interesting reading it knowing what was yet to come for the Obama family。 I bogged down in the sections on world issues mostly because I know what has happened since。 But I still wanted to read the perspective of a time some years back。 Mostly this was an informative and insightful read！ This is a book I have heard about for at least a decade， and it was time I read it。 That makes it sound like a chore but it wasn't。 It was interesting reading it knowing what was yet to come for the Obama family。 I bogged down in the sections on world issues mostly because I know what has happened since。 But I still wanted to read the perspective of a time some years back。 。。。more
Kevin Moeller
，
Much better than his first。 I like what he believes is the place of government in our lives， from campaign finance to the role of the father。 You can’t legislate morality no matter how hard the conservative right may try。 We all believe both the liberal and conservative， black brown and white in hard work， providing for our families， and the importance of an education。
Loknath
，
Bought the book for Obama’s voice recording。 Liked it though it was a bit too long。 I was expecting more candid submissions rather the facade of an ex-president。
Teena Chumber
，
Umm。。 too much political info that I am least interested in。 Loved his first book。 This one is okeyish。 Too little obama。 U can see the glimpse though。
Mark Whitfield
，
As I was reading this book， I almost could hear President Obama speaking。 Interesting account of historical information。 Some of the chapters got a little long。
Toby Kemp
，
AUDIOBOOKI had been listening to A Promised Land before my checkout expired and I had to rejoin a waitlist。 Of Presidents I can remember， Barack Obama is the best speaker of the group （in my opinion George W。 Bush， Donald Trump， and Joe Biden are really not even in the same league）， and there is a certain peacefulness that comes with listening to him read a multi-hour audiobook version of his own ideas。 It's hard to believe this book was written 14 years ago （2006 -- nearly half my lifetime）， ro AUDIOBOOKI had been listening to A Promised Land before my checkout expired and I had to rejoin a waitlist。 Of Presidents I can remember， Barack Obama is the best speaker of the group （in my opinion George W。 Bush， Donald Trump， and Joe Biden are really not even in the same league）， and there is a certain peacefulness that comes with listening to him read a multi-hour audiobook version of his own ideas。 It's hard to believe this book was written 14 years ago （2006 -- nearly half my lifetime）， roughly at the time that Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign started。 Barack Obama was first elected President in November of 2018。 I had turned 18 in October of that same year during my senior year of high school and was， therefore， eligible to vote in the election。 I cast my first vote for any political office ever for Barack Obama （he was at the top of the ballot）， and I chose to double down on that decision again in 2022 during my 4th year of college。 I'm uncertain how many people （specifically， people who live in the United States） who did not vote for Obama are reading this book 14 years later， so I doubt this book is changing too many minds。 However， it is interesting to read something that Barack Obama wrote before becoming President， particularly with the context that he now has a book out that he wrote after serving as President。 Fourteen years ago （and 8 years ago）， I was much more optimistic about politics。 I believe Barack Obama was also。 Particularly， when comparing the rhetoric in this book with what he has included in A Promised Land， Barack seems to have hardened some in the time that has passed。 The book reminds me of What Unites Us by Dan Rather。 It provides an idealistic viewpoint of what America could be， but ultimately is not。 The Audacity of Hope is based much more in possibility than in reality， and maybe I should have inferred that from the title。 A Promised Land is a nice contrast to this book， as it has provided much more realistic viewpoint of what has been [or can be] accomplished by the American Government。 。。。more
Ying Wong
，
Like his other books， this is a well-written， if slightly dated political manifesto that is very much of its times。 I think I might have enjoyed it more （or found it more profound） if I had read it when it was published， since the past decade has completely changed conversations around race， religion， family values and the game of politics。 Notably， pretty much the entire world is now cynical about the myth of an 'American Dream，' even more than they were in 2006， when this was written。 Indeed O Like his other books， this is a well-written， if slightly dated political manifesto that is very much of its times。 I think I might have enjoyed it more （or found it more profound） if I had read it when it was published， since the past decade has completely changed conversations around race， religion， family values and the game of politics。 Notably， pretty much the entire world is now cynical about the myth of an 'American Dream，' even more than they were in 2006， when this was written。 Indeed Obama makes important points about the American healthcare system that sadly still ring true today， and are more depressing when put in the context of the implosion of Obamacare。 Some of the observations about the lack of nuance in public debate is， I think， also very relevant in the era of cancel culture。 But on the whole， it was borderline campaign-rhetoric-vibes and I probably wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't had it sitting around on my Audible library for a few years waiting to be listened to。 Maybe a little harsh？ Will revisit thoughts。 。。。more
David Highton
，
I have just bought A Promised Land， so thought I would read this first - an impressive book written while he was a Senator - a six year term he never completed because he was elected President。
Dave
，
I enjoyed this audiobook。 Not sure how to rate essay style non-fiction。 I’d recommend it。
Adam Beasley
，
Have to admit， when Barrack was wrapping up this book envisioning the world he hopes his daughters grow up in， I got teary-eyed。 What a fascinating read。 Whether you love him or vilify him， if you haven’t read this book， you should， I learned a lot。
Amanda
，
Good content， but kinda felt like I was in a college lecture。 He makes great points， but I just wasn't in the mood for it。 （Honestly enjoyed Michelle's book more， so I think that may have affected my rating 😂） Good content， but kinda felt like I was in a college lecture。 He makes great points， but I just wasn't in the mood for it。 （Honestly enjoyed Michelle's book more， so I think that may have affected my rating 😂） 。。。more
Dara
，
I would give this a 3。5， but rounded up， mostly because I love Obama and his message and ideas。 Because this was written before his presidency， most of his ideas felt like reliving his campaign。 I’m looking forward to his new book。
Vishnunairg
，
As an Indian this book acquainted me on the American way of thinking， its political system， culture， values and beliefs。The language is beautiful and presents very difficult issues in an easy to understand way。 Obama wrote this book when he was a senator。 Many of the ideas/ vision he talks in the book， the man had went ahead and implemented during his tenure as POTUS。 After reading the book Obama comes off as a person who walks the talk。After reading the book， i am impressed by the core American As an Indian this book acquainted me on the American way of thinking， its political system， culture， values and beliefs。The language is beautiful and presents very difficult issues in an easy to understand way。 Obama wrote this book when he was a senator。 Many of the ideas/ vision he talks in the book， the man had went ahead and implemented during his tenure as POTUS。 After reading the book Obama comes off as a person who walks the talk。After reading the book， i am impressed by the core American values， ideals and beliefs。 。。。more
Bill Jiao
，
The last American Dreamer
Alvin
，
Wonderful book！ What came out of this book was how， fifteen years after the book's publication， the topics he discussed are still very relevant today （especially about race - BLM， and George Floyd as well as the future of energy， and the Middle East conflicts）。I also enjoyed his honest review about the toll that political life takes on family life and how tough it is for a person to balance the many demands of both and the compromises that need to be made。 Wonderful book！ What came out of this book was how， fifteen years after the book's publication， the topics he discussed are still very relevant today （especially about race - BLM， and George Floyd as well as the future of energy， and the Middle East conflicts）。I also enjoyed his honest review about the toll that political life takes on family life and how tough it is for a person to balance the many demands of both and the compromises that need to be made。 。。。more
William Alandis Hicks
，
This book was wonderful
Dex Vaughn
，
Fantastic book and an amazing writer。 I started reading this with no expectation， but I do have the bias to drown out pretty much all political messages and platforms due to the lack of interest in everything political。 However， this book insidiously posits many tidbits that I unintentionally received like a glass of cold water to face。 A short book， about a 3 hour read， The Audacity of Hope peels back the curtain of the senate and congress through the eyes of a burgeoning legend with words of s Fantastic book and an amazing writer。 I started reading this with no expectation， but I do have the bias to drown out pretty much all political messages and platforms due to the lack of interest in everything political。 However， this book insidiously posits many tidbits that I unintentionally received like a glass of cold water to face。 A short book， about a 3 hour read， The Audacity of Hope peels back the curtain of the senate and congress through the eyes of a burgeoning legend with words of seemingly humble honesty。 Though I don't have a political platform to stand on， I find this book interesting on the sole foundation of intrigue in a severely over-complicated system of critical components。 If anything， it was just nice to read a well written dialogue about the problems we faced back then compared to how they are rearing there ugly heads today。 I recommend this book to any American who would like to expand on their view on the world that was and the world that is today。 。。。more
Bookishbrookeish
，
Having read Obama’s book reflecting on the first term of his presidency， this was an interesting contrast。 I liked hearing his thoughts prior to office and comparing how they were different after he was done。 This one covered some of the same stories as A Promised Land but in more detail。 Overall an interesting listen， especially since he narrated it！
Zack Applewhite
，
Reading it from the distance of many years， it is entertaining， inspirational， and educational。Considering that he is writing from the perspective of a senator not yet president， you may often find yourself saying “You have no idea”， as I did。Arguments and stories and written clearly and well with a healthy dose of controversy sidestepping。 As far as politics go， I found the ideas and beliefs expressed to be far more middle ground than was depicted to me through family and media。
Kristina
，
The most well written but also probably only campaign platform I will ever read。
LuAnn
，
I found this book to be very interesting。 Barack Obama wrote this when he was still a senator and a teacher of political science， particularly the Constitution。 In fact， as a social scientist， it made me want to take one of his classes。Obama talks about many issues that he faced in his day as a senator， which make us aware of how those same issues affect us today。It's not an easy read， but one worth the time。 I found this book to be very interesting。 Barack Obama wrote this when he was still a senator and a teacher of political science， particularly the Constitution。 In fact， as a social scientist， it made me want to take one of his classes。Obama talks about many issues that he faced in his day as a senator， which make us aware of how those same issues affect us today。It's not an easy read， but one worth the time。 。。。more
Lynnetta
，
Read via audiobook
Andrea Morris
，
I was given Promised Land for Christmas and told myself I would read his first book before his most recent one （I don't have a ton of interest in Letters From My Father）。 Tough he wrote this in 2006， 2 years before his first presidential campaign， you can absolutely see how these thoughts translated to his entire presidency。 And look， maybe I am an Obama sucker。。。 I love our former President because his views of politics and his flavor of liberalism matched with American capitalism mirror my own I was given Promised Land for Christmas and told myself I would read his first book before his most recent one （I don't have a ton of interest in Letters From My Father）。 Tough he wrote this in 2006， 2 years before his first presidential campaign， you can absolutely see how these thoughts translated to his entire presidency。 And look， maybe I am an Obama sucker。。。 I love our former President because his views of politics and his flavor of liberalism matched with American capitalism mirror my own。 And maybe he did write this book while teasing thoughts of the Presidency as a mild way of self-Obama propaganda， but I don't care。 This man is so eloquent and such a good writer。。。 which we always knew from his speeches。 Kind of fun reading this *after* reading Becoming and looking a bit back。 I am now so excited to pick up Promised Land and jump forward， later this year。 。。。more
Rachel H
，
Shorter than i thought it eas going to be。 It starts out sounding much like a preresequit for a Graduate school level history of american politics， but Obama throws in personal anecdotes to illustrate his viewpoint and relate to the audience。
Raju
，