The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls 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".

Yes We Can: The Speeches of Barack Obama: Expanded Edition

Expanded from the original, Yes We Can! offers highlights from speeches by Barack Obama and includes his entire inaugural address as an added bonus. For this collection, speeches were chosen to showcase President Obama's powerful, inspiring rhetoric of hope and change and to represent his stands on issues such as climate, energy, service, and the Iraq war.

Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy

President Bill Clinton gives us his views on the challenges facing the United States today and why government matters—presenting his ideas on restoring economic growth, energy, job creation, financial responsibility, resolving the mortgage crisis, and financial responsibility, and offering a plan to get us "back in the future business".

Hard Choices

Hillary Rodham Clinton's inside account of the crises, choices, and challenges she faced during her four years as America's 67th Secretary of State, and how those experiences drive her view of the future. In the aftermath of her 2008 presidential run, she expected to return to representing New York in the United States Senate. To her surprise, her former rival for the Democratic Party nomination, newly elected President Barack Obama, asked her to serve in his administration as Secretary of State. This memoir is the story of the four extraordinary and historic years that followed.

The Promise: President Obama, Year One

Barack Obama’s inauguration as president on January 20, 2009, inspired the world. But the great promise of “Change We Can Believe In” was immediately tested by the threat of another Great Depression, a worsening war in Afghanistan, and an entrenched and deeply partisan system of business as usual in Washington. Despite all the coverage, the backstory of Obama’s historic first year in office has until now remained a mystery.

My Life, Volume I

President Bill Clinton's My Life is the strikingly candid portrait of a global leader who decided early in life to devote his intellectual and political gifts, and his extraordinary capacity for hard work, to serving the public. It is the fullest, most concretely detailed, most nuanced account of a presidency ever written, and a testament to the positive impact on America and on the world of his work and his ideals.

We Rise: Speeches by Inspirational Black Women, is a rare compilation of memorable speeches delivered by celebrated African-American women from both the past and present. Spanning decades and elucidating the fight for equality, it not only captures important pieces of black history, but reveals the struggle from a female perspective. The live recordings in this captivating collection are preceded by a short biography to introduce each speaker.

Believer: My Forty Years in Politics

The man behind some of the greatest political changes of the last decade, David Axelrod has devoted a lifetime to questioning political certainties and daring to bring fresh thinking into the political landscape. Whether as a child hearing John F. Kennedy stump in New York or as a strategist guiding the first African American to the White House, Axelrod shows in Believer how his own life stands at the center of the tumultuous American century.

A Fighting Chance

As a child in small-town Oklahoma, Elizabeth Warren yearned to go to college and then become an elementary school teacher - an ambitious goal, given her family’s modest means. Early marriage and motherhood seemed to put even that dream out of reach, but 15 years later she was a distinguished law professor with a deep understanding of why people go bankrupt. Then came the phone call that changed her life: could she come to Washington, DC, to help advise Congress on rewriting the bankruptcy laws?

The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama

No story has been more central to America's history in this century than the rise of Barack Obama, and, until now, no journalist or historian has written a book that fully investigates the circumstances and experiences of Obama's life or explores the ambition behind his rise. Now, from a writer whose gift for illuminating the historical significance of unfolding events is without peer, we have a portrait of a young man in search of himself and of a rising politician determined to become the first African-American president.

The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House

In The Stranger, NBC Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd draws upon his unprecedented inner-circle sources to create a gripping account of Obama's tumultuous White House years. In doing so, not only does Todd give us the most revealing portrait yet of this fascinating president and his struggles, but illuminates what "Obamism" really is, what the president stands for, and how his decisions have changed - and will change - American politics for generations.

In Defense of a Liberal Education

The liberal arts educational system is under attack. Governors in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina have announced that they will not spend taxpayer money subsidizing the liberal arts. Majors like English and history - which were once very popular and highly respected - are in steep decline, and President Obama has recently advised students to keep in mind that technical training could be more valuable than a degree in art history when deciding on an educational path.

Speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.: The Ultimate Collection

Listen "live" to one of the most iconic orators of all times in this packed-full collection of Martin Luther King Jr. speeches. King's rich and passionate style of delivery will transport you back to the era of the civil-rights movement, when King advocated non-violent resistance in the pursuit of equality and dignity not only for blacks but for all mankind. Seldom has any leader since inspired and captivated an audience worldwide and motivated a nation to action.

Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice

Author and entrepreneur Dennis Kimbro combines bestselling author Napoleon Hill's law of success with his own vast knowledge of business, contemporary affairs, and the vibrant culture of Black America to teach you the secrets to success used by scores of black Americans, including: Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson, Dr. Selma Burke, Oprah Winfrey, and many others. The result is inspiring, practical, clearly written, and totally workable.

Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier

With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson - one of our foremost thinkers on all things space - illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. As Tyson reveals, exploring the space frontier can profoundly enrich many aspects of our daily lives, from education systems and the economy to national security and morale.

HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton’s surprising defeat in the 2008 Democratic primary brought her to the nadir of her political career, vanquished by a much younger opponent whose message of change and cutting-edge tech team ran circles around her stodgy campaign. And yet, six years later, she has reemerged as an even more powerful and influential figure, a formidable stateswoman and the presumed front-runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, marking one of the great political comebacks in history.

The Conscience of a Liberal

America emerged from Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal with strong democratic values and broadly shared prosperity. But for the past 30 years, American politics has been dominated by a conservative movement determined to undermine the New Deal's achievements. Now, the tide may be turning, and in The Conscience of a Liberal Paul Krugman, the world's most widely read economist and one of its most influential political commentators, charts the way to reform.

Publisher's Summary

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls 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 also speaks, 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 audiobook is Senator Obama's vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, and even the president is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.

A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power.

I find this book to be most helpful in explaining how the hope for America, or the American Dream, and the pugnacious nature of the current political landscape find each other at odds, even at the highest levels.

If we, American society in sum, are to begin to forge ahead in achieving new innovations in technology, communications and culture, then the foundations for such are not yet being built. The collegial discussions of Big Gov't vs. Smaller Gov't are still being thrust into political debate, so says the author, and ought not be the focus of future. Decisions need to be made, now. Decisions like, fostering a domestic entrepreneurial spirit and improving a foreign policy that is wrought with fear and ambiguity. These are things that America will need to strive to achieve in the next elections. In simpler terms, we need to progress or be left behind.

It is not so much to aspire to achieve, as to build the necessary infrasture that achievement becomes possible. The path forged by our ancestors need not be seen as something squandered, rather admired and built upon. Debates and elections must speak to the voice of the people and leaders are there to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Barack Obama mentions his early life to illustrate the point that we either become the fray, or rise above it. As it had been mentioned in previous reviews, his eloquence of thought and speech will captivate any audience. His mastery of saying what needs to be said, while making the reader/listner more intelligent and feel more intellectual are truly his gift. I recommend this book to any one that is looking for a deeper understanding of the dichotomy that exists within business and/or political landscapes and the progress/struggle we all face in making a difference. The struggle needs to be defined to know what we are up against and Barack Obama has certainly defined his.

I found the book to be very inspiring. It is good to hear the audio book read by the author. I found some of the book a little too party line but it sounds good when Barack talks about the seperation of church and state. However, his religious beliefs are a foundation of what he is.

Even though I am republican I found it very good to hear from a possible future presidential or VP candidate. Depending on stances Barack takes on certain issues; I could vote for this man.

From the descriptions of empty senate sessions, to policy and politics, to the burdens of a career mom (Michelle), this book is sincere, interesting, enlightening, and always respectful and fair.
A great insight into the brilliant mind of 44 before he even thought that 44 was a possibility.
Great narration, as well.

In listening to Obama’s book it brought me a better understanding of what it is to be an American and what the nation stands for. We have forgotten the Constitution and its meaning to our nation. The political discourse has become black and white. Although he does not state how he would handle each issue, you get the feeling that as president he would unite the country rather then create a larger divide. A must read if you are unsure about of voting for Barack Obama.

A blend of policy, politics, and personal story that I totally enjoyed. Funny and moving. Refreshed my hope that a leader might actually try to reason with us as an electorate, help us work things out rather than just keep either winning or losing.

Not unlike his first book the author uses wit and humor woven skillfully with autobiography to engage the reader in challenges to think and to present his view of the world. A true success in a world where everything is often reduced to mass media 30 second sound bites. I can hardly wait for the next book but suppose he is a bit busy with other things right now.

I suppose I was ready for anything when I start to read a book with a title like 'The Audacity of Hope' and I am happy to say that if there was a mention of the title in the book then it was pretty indirect. You might expect a sermon with a title like that. What there is - a pretty smart guy who communicates well on topics like: the media, political opposition, religion and state, work and family-life and so on. I wasn't sure if I liked him before I listened to this book - I knew little of him at all. I think this is the most intelligent and straight-up, optimistic (I guess the title is in there somewhere) and fair-dealing book by a politician that I have read.

17 of 17 people found this review helpful

Natasha

SheffieldUnited Kingdom

12/1/08

Overall

"American politics made easy"

This was a fantastic download - one that provided a lot of clarity around the politics and values of America's new president (before he was even campaigning for the role). For people like me who get tired of reading the opinions of the press, it was refreshing to hear from Obama himself, what he thinks he stands for and he provides interesting examples to back up his politics and opinions. This very personal and frank account of his beliefs has certainly given me confidence in his ability to bring real changes to America and the rest of the world. He comes across as a down-to-earth and likeable man who genuinely knows what he is talking about and what he has to do to make his country a better place. All I can say is, after listening to the Audacity of Hope, I wished Obama could run our country too!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Jacqueline

Sleaford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

11/27/08

Overall

"Great Man, Great Read"

What an intelligent man. Even though I am not from USA I still think having listened to this that the right man in in charge.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Gareth

Beaumaris, United Kingdom

1/17/09

Overall

"Cracking good stuff"

This was a revelation. It illustrated elegantly the infighting and internecine wars between the reds and blues in American politics over the last 30 years. It was riveting to listen to, I regreted the end of a boring drive for once. I hope his presidency is as good as his writing!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

jonathan jordan-july

1/13/09

Overall

"Politician's are scary...."

It is unfortunate that our world is in the state that it's in because I genuinely fear for this lovely man as he braves the world stage.

I (like most people) knew little about him before buying this book and now after listening to it along with a few speeches I found on I-tunes; I'm a genuine fan. Politics is a dirty business and here is a decent, educated, likeable guy that will do his best to change that crappy deal that too many people worldwide are in. Like it or not; the USA lead the "free" world and what he says and does will affect almost everyone in one way or another.

After listening I have genuine hope that he can do as he'd like to do and is not singled out for martyrdom by the evil that lurks generally in our world and in America in particular.

I thrilled at his stories of the students he teaches and the voters he has learned from. I am warmly comforted by the fact that his rise has been rapid enough that he has not (yet) been tainted. This book is lovely and I look forward to hearing more about and from him.

Martin Luther King, Huey Newton, Johnnie Cochran, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and many others would not believe what he has already done so swiftly. I sincerely hope that he continues to accomplish the "impossible."

God knows we could all use a few more miracles.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Jeff Anderson

4/22/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Masterclass for The Everyday Person"

Beautifully written. Offers outstanding insight into the challenges of public office and the need to balance the needs of all people, rich, poor and less able, with the individual home pressures of family - partnership and parenthood. Not easy at first, but finds a tone that quickly becomes informative and inspirational.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Christopher

Cheltenham, United Kingdom

3/15/12

Overall

"A Man of Great Thought"

As you'd expect, this deals with many American issues, although many of those are actually our issues now too. It was fascinating to read of the American political system through his own eyes. A great story, and read, as you'd expect, in a manner that kept your attention.
Will read again in the future.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Shirley

Bristol, United Kingdom

5/5/09

Overall

"The Audacity of Hope"

found it boring

0 of 8 people found this review helpful

Anna

nottingham, notts, United Kingdom

12/10/08

Overall

"Well prepared"

This is a highly ghostwritten and plastic melange of all the wisdom of others. President Obama lifts his philosophy from many others of which i am familiar. Nice guy and well meaning but for those of us who have studied the people who have changed our world for the better, i find this a little insipid and oversimplistic. I liked him before i heard this. Now i think hes just saying what you want to hear. It would be nice if he could come up with ideas of his own.

0 of 11 people found this review helpful

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