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  • The Audacity of Hope

  • Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
  • Written by: Barack Obama
  • Narrated by: Barack Obama
  • Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (195 ratings)

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The Audacity of Hope

Written by: Barack Obama
Narrated by: Barack Obama
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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.

©2006 Barack Obama (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

What listeners say about The Audacity of Hope

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I could listen to Obama talk for days

I now have a better understanding of why Trump is jealous and obsessed with this; intelligent, pragmatic , kind, knowledgeable, funny, successful, respected and extraordinary man.

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7 people found this helpful

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Good Read if you're looking for Self-Reflection

This book was published in a day long passed, but the insights contained transcend time. Barack Obama clearly presents his side on key issues in ways that demonstrate respect to all parties, without taking a centralist stance. The diction and presentation used was a demonstration of English mastery, but is also indicitive of a strong ghostwriting.

Regardless of writer, the ability to reforge our biases and interactions to all peoples with greater dignity is a skill we could all afford to sharpen, and hearing Obama's words in his own voice may have sharpened mine.

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1 person found this helpful

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A meaningful experience of a political Father

Barack Obama gently portrays how a highly powerful and popular President balances leadership of a Global Super Power with the Family he Treasures so deeply with Michelle and his daughters.

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An excellent narration of Pres Obama's early days.

Loved the book. A very excellent, honest expose, opening his early family world to us.

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Heavy political

If you are into politics, this is your book, language and speed are at the highest. If English is your second language you may get lost quickly, however don’t get discouraged, you can listen it again until you get it. He talks about his experience while escalating towards the presidency and only talks about his personal life at the end of the 10 minutes of the book. Overall very insightful and educative but I think he was very careful showing his true self. Understandable I guess but I would’ve like him to be more open heart it. I listened to Michelle Obama’s book, “Becoming” and that one talks more about their political and personal journey trough her eyes. Both books are great!

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I love Obama, but...

This entire book kind of felt like he was trying to earn my vote for his 2008 election. As I’m neither American, nor was I old enough to vote at that time, there’s a chance that it probably would have worked if I were. I was just hoping for something a little less “these are the problems with America and this is how I’ll fix it.” Still a great read, though.

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One to add to your collection.

It was nice to hear what it was like from the inside. Highly recommended listen.

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interesting listen in 2021!

listening to this so many years after its release gives some interesting perspective on the progress made by our society while highlighting the areas that we have been complacent in allowing to slip into the background.

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Awesome Read.

Loved it. I always great to hear from their own words and thoughts !Great read.!

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I wish it was a little longer.

I really, really enjoyed this one. The President has an unbelievable way of speaking that lends itself so well to this audiobook. It is especially cathartic in these times. Listening to Barack Obama is a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that there is still hope, even in 2020. My only gripe is that I felt the book didn't have a strong finish. The book kinda just ended for me... that might just be me, though.

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  • Dallas D.L.
  • 2015-02-12

My Fellow Conservatives, Give This A Listen

If you could sum up The Audacity of Hope in three words, what would they be?

Shared American Values.

Any additional comments?

Yeah, i know, it's written by Obama so this book is taboo, right? Well, on a whim, i purchased this title and i am truly happy that i did. I don't agree with everything he says in the book but he does a good job admitting his biases in the intro which i found admirable. This book is more about finding commonality in shared American values than in agreement upon particular agendas. In that regard, i feel like i understand Obama's and the liberal point of view better now. We live in a country paralyzed politically. The way forward won't be through demonizing anyone or any party, red, blue, or green. I invite You, my fellow reds, to listen to this with a bit of patience and a willingness to hear his thoughts. I think we will all benefit from it.

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573 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2019-03-01

From a conservative

Wow! I was surprised at how little I disagreed with. I didn't vote for him either time, but I would now. It is sad that we make our opinions based on pundits and media rather than listening to the actual person. He's a very good and moral person who cares about our country and I think we downgraded substantially.

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343 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • David
  • 2007-03-19

amazing

I consider myself a moderate republican, but I wanted to read this book to find out what Obama was about. In the book he presents a refreshingly honest account of how politics works and lays out a centrist vision for the relationship between government and its citizens. Far from demonstrating youthful inexperience, he shows that he has a firm grasp of both sides of the major issues facing the nation as well as a keen understanding of American history and government. While most of the book is about a domestic agenda with little emphasis on foreign policy, I found myself agreeing with the majority of his ideas. I have no doubt that if everybody read this book, Barack Obama would be the next president of the United States.

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211 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Pat Furrie
  • 2007-03-07

The only thing wrong with it...

... was it is abridged. I would have liked to have heard everything, after having enjoyed this abridged version so much.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Ronald
  • 2006-11-08

Barack Obama is an inspirng speaker

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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Somone
  • 2010-11-29

Excellent

One of my favorite audiobooks- so uplifting and mature. Obama offers up a spirit of excellence, cooperation, and intelligence as he talks about his political journey, ambitions, and family. It's difficult not to like him especially when contrasted with Palin's audiobooks that are tinged with lost-election-bitterness and inappropriate combativeness. If purchasing, be ready to pay attention- if your attention wanders for a second, you can get lost.

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42 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • StephSchiff
  • 2008-04-09

Incredible!

I wasn't sure I would enjoy this - I thought it would be a repeat of his speeches and what he's said on the news the past few years. I was wrong. I was engrossed and listened every chance I got until I had listened to it twice, and I rarely read or listen to something twice within a few years! This is one of those books made for an audio format - hearing his words, in his own voice, really helped me connect and become more engaged.

It gives me hope that our next President (assuming it's him) will understand how normal people live. After listening to this book, I began volunteering for his campaign - and I'm an EX-Republican! The more I learn about this man (and I've done my research), the more determined I am that he has to be our next POTUS.

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40 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Clyde
  • 2010-01-30

Very Insightful

This book is an excellent reference for understanding the inner workings of politics and also President Obama's character and his political vision.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Michael
  • 2006-12-27

What a wonderful read/listen

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.

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24 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • Ben
  • 2007-09-02

Audacity of No Agenda

Barak proves that he has no agenda or platform. There was no meat in this book.

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23 people found this helpful