Customer Reviews
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.
Best Book I've read in 10 yrs. - By: London Girl, 20 Nov 2008 He describes his childhood to manhoodin such a sensitive & interesting way. An honest & frank look at race issues that he had to consider due to his mixed race & ancestry. Until I'd read the book, I hadn't realised how deep he was. I Highly Recommend this book! Once I started it , I then looked forward to my next train journeys, to get the next instalment. And its now solved my Xmas gift ideas! I'm buying 10 x copies for friends & family. Great Writer!
Touching and sincere - By: Nguwasen Or, 16 Nov 2008 This book was written so beutifully, that even the most mundane information evokes emotions that can't be explained. The chapterin which he describes his only memories of his father from about age ten is the part that really got me. Obama shares the memory of the one & only time his father taught him to dance. "Come Barry,my father said. "You will learn from the master" And suddenly his slender body was swaying back & forth, the lush sound was rising, his arms were swinging...." I became teary eyed while reading that part on the tube on the way to a job interview. I felt sorry that this young boy held onto all that he could of his father. Obama goes onto describe many years of his child & adult life. This is a must read for book fans, even if Obama hadn't become the first black American president he was still one hell of a writer.
Moving,engaging and inspiring - By: spiritualist junkie, 15 Nov 2008 I have just finished President elect Obama's book. I could not put it down,and could not believe it was written by a politician.
He gives an honest account of his journey into his self, & search for his identity & roots.
I feel I have a real sense of the man, after reading this book. He is self aware, & I enjoyed his ability to share his struggles with readers.I could pick up on his sense of sadness, & confusionin his journey.
His workin the South side of Chicago, definitely gave him the grounding for the brilliant campaign he ran for the presidency.
I particularly enjoyed his description of his journey to Kenya, which I have travelled to several times.
This is definitely one of the best memoirs I have read.He writes with sensitivity,and is able to connect with his readers.
It gives me a lot of insight into the values,and background of the next president of the United States.
Perceptive, sensitive, funny, self-ironic - By: M. Laura Martin, 13 Nov 2008 This was an unexpectedly fantastic read: how could a man who (later)decided to go into politics be so honest, so self-searching, so willing to explore beneath the surfaces? The fact that the author is now the US president-elect makes it all the more intriguing, but the autobiography is wonderful even without that extra 'icing on the cake'. Obama has a sensitivity to his own & others' weaknesses & strengths; he sees through the facade but is forgiving of people's foibles. What he has to say about being of mixed race is very much worth listening to: all those who just don't get the problemsin US ghettoes or African countries might learn something here. His search for his own identity--the archetypical hero's journey to find the father--is both funny & very touching; the immense disappointment becomes a source of knowledge & wisdom. This is a man who crosses many bridges: between black & white, men & women, 'West' & 'Third World', past & present. Buy it--and enjoy it!
