Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
by Barack Obama
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Book Reviews of Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Book Review: Obama autobiography excellent information about our next president's history
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked this book. It gives a great background on President-elect Obama and touches in a positive way on the way he grew up and what he took the time to learn about his heritage.
It answers many questions about his heritage, history, and his formative years.
Book Review: A Must-read Book!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Now I think I understand where--and how-- Barack Obama gained both the knowledge and the wisdom to lead our country at this point in our history. With sensitivity and insight, Obama guides the reader through many of the often-amusing, sometimes-painful, episodes of his life. From year to year, and from country to country, Obama searches for the elusive answers to questions that might help him to understand his identity. As I followed Obama through his journey, I found myself hoping (and even praying) that this young man would be successful in his quest, mindful that the extent to which Obama was successful might very well impact his ability to guide the rest of us in our nation's search for our identity in this new millenium. This a wonderfully entertaining and compelling read!Book Review: We Did Overcome
Summary: 5 Stars
This book gives a foundation to understanding our next president. It is a remarkable testament to "We shall overcome!"Book Review: Everyone should read this book
Summary: 5 Stars
During the 2004 Democratic Convention Barack Obama burst onto the US national political scene with a speech that included this line: "I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible." Reading "Dreams from My Father" gives readers an important glimpse of part of that story.
This autobiography was originally published in 1995, shortly after Obama became the first black editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Because it was written before he entered politics, we are given an unusually candid account of his youth and young manhood, which included drugs, personal doubts, and a search for his identity as a black man in America. It is the unusual candor of his writing that leads me to recommend it "Dreams From My Father" to readers of all colors and political persuasions.
In "The Audacity of Hope," which was published to support Obama's run for President, one gains an appreciation for his unique blend of idealism and pragmatism, but "Dreams From My Father" provides a glimpse into how he became the man who defied the odds to become the first Black President of the United States.
As a white American I gained a new appreciation of the inner struggles of Black Americans, but I also got the impression that because Obama was raised by his white mother and grandparents, he has the ability to see past issues of race. This ability is one that our nation sorely needs to move forward in tackling the problems that face people of all races and backgrounds..
Watching the crowds on election night I was struck by the joy and hope I saw on the faces of young people, both black and white. I think this book is the sort of book one should share with young people because it speaks to the search for identity that drives many young people. One does not get the sense one is reading the autobiography of a future president. Rather it could be any young man's story.
What about those who voted for McCain and who are afraid that Obama is some sort of left-wing radical? Instead of listening to Rush Limbaugh (and others) I would encourage them to read Obama's words for themselves.
Of course the story is incomplete since it was written while Obama was still at Harvard. We learn nothing of his career teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago, not to mention his subsequent political career. No doubt that story will be written, but it will be difficult to re-capture the spirit of openness that makes this book a one of a kind.
Book Review: Masterfully written biography
Summary: 5 Stars
Written in an intellilgent, clear style, Barak Obama lays out his life in a thoughful way. A most winsome and hopeful biography. Our future will be in the hands of a person who has dealt with adversity with verve, deep contemplation and patience.
He speaks and America listens with hope for the future as his dream unfolds.