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Posted By Aaron Marcelli on June 9, 2009

It has never taken me longer to finish a book that was not a 700 page theology read than it did for me to complete President Obama’s best seller.  I’m obviously a little behind too as my original plan was to read it before last year’s election.  I had decided against that idea when I remembered the growing number of books I own already waiting to be studied but when I saw The Audacity of Hope in paperback for under six bucks I couldn’t resist.

My habit is to read a book all the way through, even if it is bad.  For you though that system would not be necessary if you were to choose to pick up a copy of the book to see just what our commander thinks on a certain issue or topic.  For though his language is proper, unique, and educated to the point I needed a dictionary with almost every turn of the page, the chapter titles are for the most part one word descriptions of what is addressed there.

In a way that illustrates his intelligence an communication knack, he uses detailed stories and simple clarifications of abstract ideas to address the reader.  Though Obama is unapologetic about his views, political associations, or party ties I never felt as though he was trying to coerce me to “his side”.  He spoke as though he were the average citizen when sharing great insight to the real Washington DC.  He addressed the media spin-offs of what happens there and the basic mistrust the average American claims to have for professional politicians (though he did mention it is ironic that the incumbent is elected more than 70% of the time).  He spoke of congress men and women he admires and what he has learned at house meetings, debates, and even parties.  He mentions that just because we may not like what some of our officials do, does not mean they do not try or do not care – both are traits he believes of the vast majority of those in the nation’s capitol.

The book addresses political parties, claiming both have become too definite in their perceived and expected views on issues.  This is illustrated to the point where he says no democrat could question abortion just as no republican could support gun control and not be considered a scam to their party.  And though Obama is very clearly on one side of the political party spectrum, there are times when one would not be able to judge which side he is on as he spoke of the strengths and admits the weaknesses of both parties.  Perhaps he is even more critical of his own democrats, as he refers to them as the “reaction party” and challenges their initiative during the years they were the minority.  He also calls democrats wrong for avoiding debates on moral values.

Reading this book I came to believe the moral values and beliefs of both sides are more similar than we think.  More so the difference is in the preeminence placed on these issues and the limit to which each side think government should be involved.  Obama certainly has a clear calling to individuals for moral responsibility.

The chapter I was most looking forward to reading going in was his chapter on faith.  Though Obama claims to be a Christian, he still gives great insight from an outsiders view when he rattles of some of the cliché saying in Christianity and shown their application to simply be an excuse for judgment and hypocrisy.  He never condemns the claims or preaching that come from the church, but rather shows the inconsistency with how it is being lived out.  Obama admits that America has been founded on many Judeo-Christian values and draws a great correlation between Scripture and the constitution; claiming both are used by people who have not fully read them and that people use isolated passages to support what they already believe.  He ends his chapter on faith by saying he is not sure what happens after we die, which I found troubling because I believe insight into afterlife is a somewhat basic principle of the Christian faith.

I also found his chapter on race to be extremely intuitive.  He had a more balanced than bitter approach, detailed practical areas where racism has more effect than most are aware of, and spoke to how it is more than just a black vs. white issue.  His chapter about foreign affairs was also more appealing than I had anticipated as I learned that Obama is much more dedicated to finishing the job over seas and has a stronger stance against terrorism than most conservatives give him credit for.  And in the final chapter our President discussed family and told the story of his own in a way that made me anxious to have my own.  He then went on to list an incredible amount of stats and stories about the practical hardships and social change in most US homes that made me worried about having my own family.

Again, this was a tough read for me only because it was a stray from my normal routine of Christian living or church nerd philosophy books, but that does not mean I did not gain from it or take plenty of notes.  So whether you voted for the man or not, you may want to check at least part of this book out just to see how he thinks.  I’m glad I read this book, it showed me how I can pray for him over his next 8 years in office and now if I ever meet him I will know when he is serious and what jokes to laugh at.

Category: Book Reviews, Politics
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