Customer Reviews
disappointed - By: Ian Henry, 02 Jan 2009 
Sorry, I started this book with enthusiasm & interest. I didn't finish it I'm afraid that although the style is charismatic we might become as disappointed with his leadership as his authorship.
Not what i expected... - By: Ms. E. Norris, 11 Dec 2008 Like many other people, I wanted to find out more about the man who is to be the next American President. The man of the moment who everyone is talking about! I followed the election process with interest, & wanted to find out more about Obama's history & early life.
Part of what i liked about Obama was that he wasn't focused on the colour of his skin, & that he was a President for everyone, not just for black people. This book is pretty much the opposite. It is so race heavy it gets boring after a while. I know it was written very early onin his career, but even some of the language & references are quite heavy going with black nationalism & Malcolm X quotes often popping up. You'd think he had a terrible upbringing whenin fact it was quite privileged, & he was surrounded by people that loved & cared for him. We're told that you shouldn't stereotype & tar everyone with the same brush, but this is what Obama seems to spend half the book doing.
This book wasn't what I'd expected & I think that's why i was a bit put-off. It's not a biography & you will be disappointed if you buy this book expecting one.
He is brilliant - By: Jing Wang, 26 Nov 2008 
I am always interestedin people's life story, especially that of famous people. He is the proud of black people. I am still reading this book, haven't finished it yet, but really enjoying it. I can learn a lot from it.
Honesty, clarity...in short a template for politicians to follow. - By: Bobby Smith, 23 Nov 2008 One can only admire both the man & the book - mainly for its 100 per cent honesty & sheer breadth of subject matter. This, truly, is the 21st century approach to political memoir writing. The cross party/racial appeal of Obama is because he can transcend the barriers that we put upon ourselves - barriers that he himself hurdled throughout his political & social life. The gift that Obama has - & one that comes throughin his writing - is his ability to connect with the reader, regardless of their ethnic background. This really is a very good read & should be required reading for any student of political history. If you liked this book - & value books that have a core of honesty at their heart - I recommend One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - another book that shows how the individual can overcome prejuduce & intolerance.
Simple but elegantly written - By: Ana Rose Balaga, 20 Nov 2008 Obama completely embraces the importance of effective communication as reflected on this book. I like the part where he realized how important is saying the right words & get the people's undivided attention to what he is saying.
