Patty P. (Patouie) -
Helpful Score: 17
Written when he was just out of Harvard Law School, Obama tells his unusual life story and explores the serious issues of race, family, and identity. For such a young man, he had an usual grasp of his own thought processes, and writes well--good detail, funny, poignant. Very readable, this is not a book written "because every candidate has to write a book."
Helpful Score: 15
I was very impressed at the care with which this memoir was sculpted. I hadn't seen any other footage or interviews with Barak Obama, or seen a picture of him other than the cover of this book, but I came to know a lot about him and what he cares about. This book to me, has done more for his candidacy than any speech or interview could ever have done.
Helpful Score: 7
Obama is a remarkable man, and his story explains why. I am confident he will be huge on the national political scene soon. His search for his father has given him wisdom and insight beyond his years.
I read this book very early in the campaign and it gave me great insight into some of the influences in this man's life. He writes with total honesty and great respect for the people in his life who shaped his visions and ideals. Did he dream about becoming the first black president, no, but he was raised to believe in himself, and therefore I could easily see how his formation allowed him to believe he could reach for the nation's highest office. The woman who was so influential in his life, passed away just before the election results were in, but I believe she knew she raised a winner! This is a very interesting book, and helps us to understand the very base on which this young American stands.
Jennifer S. (jdubes) reviewed Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I know that many people adore his way of public speaking, but I tend to disagree. However, I did find in reading this book that I somewhat enjoyed his writing style. I read this book and his other more political one in an attempt to understand better this man who is our president and hopes to be again. I am someone who finds myself disagreeing with him most of the time, but in order to look at him more graciously, I thought I should understand him better. I think I do now having read this memoir. On the other hand, there are things about him that I find even more confusing than before. I too am of mixed race, and I have no personal understanding of how he can identify so readily with only one part of his heritage, especially it being that part that he interacted with least. On the other hand, it makes sense that the part of himself he was unable to get to know (due to his father's absence) ended up being the part that most intrigued him, most drove him. I'm glad I read this book for several reasons. I feel like it personalized this man that I see as an opponent of so many of my values, which means I can be more gracious to him. I also feel like I understand him better so that I can critique his ideas more fairly, where we do disagree. And lastly, on this book as a book, it was a pretty decent read.
