Product Description

A CD collection featuring the best-selling audiobooks, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father from Grammy® award-winning author, Barack Obama.


The Audacity of Hope

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called “the audacity of hope.”

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 explores those forces–from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media–that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He also writes, 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 book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats–from terrorism to pandemic–that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy–where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, 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. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes–“waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them.”

Dreams from My Father
In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father—a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man—has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey—first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother’s family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father’s life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27454 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-10
• Released on: 2008-03-10
• Formats: Abridged, Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 5
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• ISBN13: 9780739375945
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Barack Obama is the junior U.S. senator from Illinois and the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream and Dreams from My Father. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Customer Reviews

Great Book!
Great audiobook! I really enjoyed it. Great motivator and a wonderful speaker. Very inspirational. There's nothing negative in his writings. Only inspiration and hope. Hope for all people. I'm very selective when it comes to what I feed my brain and my children. There's no negative and/or hate messages in his writings. I don't know what else to say. Just read and judge for yourself. I'm not a tabloid or front page reader. You might say I'm from the show me state. I had to do the research to find out the truth. I respect, but I can't agree with the review I just read. That's why I got the books and did the research. Man is imperfect....it's God I worship. I'm first and far most a member of the Democratic Party. That's where my focus is. This is a very important time in our lives and no matter who gets to run in November on the Democratic ticket, I will support them. Out with the present damaged government and let's work together towards a new one that's cares about it's people. Be careful, if you're a Democrat, not to make statements that may damage the party due to the "favorite game". This is not a game. This is the real world. As I said, I enjoyed Mr. Obama's audiobooks. They were very well written and spoken and a great feeling and inspiration for all ages. Take away the politics, the faces, the spin and listen to the message without your prejudices (we all have them)and judge for yourself. I did. Thank for reading my review. I think both Hilliary and Obama could both make a difference, but I have to say Mr. Obama can inspire the people. According to the latest polls people feel he can be trusted to do a good job if chosen. No matter who's choosen it's our jobs as citizens of the USA to keep tabs, checks and balances to make sure our nation is healthy with a functional government that's for the people. It's "WE THE PEOPLE"...we are the only ones that can make a difference, reclaim our government and heal the nation. It's not up to Mr. Obama to fix us. He can't. We have to fix ourselves. He seems to have the ability to unite and open up mutual channels of communication that's needed to move forward. With the ability for all to cooperated and communicate for the greater good we can accomplish great things.
ps. Dreams of the father: the audicity of hope is also great!

Inspiring & Amazing. How lucky we are to have him as our next President.
I chose to get this version of Obama's two books because he's such a gifted speaker I enjoyed the idea of hearing Obama read his words as only he could do.

There are those who argue we don't know enough about Obama. Well if they had taken the time to read or listen to these two books they will get a very clear idea of just who Obama is and what his vision is for this country.

Obama is a real man. This is someone who has lived an amazing cultured life in a modest up bringing who has the core values of what many look for in a leader. His story is a true American story. It's an amazing journey that will inspire and put to ease if you had any doubt that this man is ready to lead and will be an exceptional President.

The first book in this audio collection "Dreams from my Father" goes in depth about what it was like for Obama growing up as a child and becoming the man he is today. It's candid and very honest. It will comfort many to find that Obama is just like one of us in many ways no matter your gender, color or religious background. I also mean by "one of us" those of "us" who were not born into privilege. Those of "us" who have come from nothing and had to work hard to get to where we are. This is also for those who are looking for inspiration that anything is possible no matter the barriers that they may be faced with in the real world. It speaks to everyone and you can't help but come away from hearing this story unfold a better person and very inspired.

The second book goes deep into the political process and all the pros and cons of all that it encompasses. It will provide fantastic insight for those who are curious about what type of leader Obama will be and the change he will be bringing to Washington. I feel 100% confident that Obama will be an exceptional President. We have not had many Presidents like this in our history. This is a great time to be alive and a great time to be an American. Times are tough as a write this review but I feel that having Obama at the helm that our country will no doubt pull itself out of the hole and the world will be a better place because of the leadership that Obama will bring to Washington that is much needed.

Great books--a lot of insight into Sen. Obama's life, character
These two books together are a wonderful look at Senator Obama's life and his character. The "Dreams From My Father," reflects the character-building life that he led, thank to his mother, and grand parents, as well as the intelligence and standing of his father, who died when Barack was young. You get a great sense of his concern for mankind and his desire to help others.

"The Audacity of Hope," describes his feelings about the pressures and potential pitfalls of running for and holding public office. He tells how he was able to keep to his ideals and the teachings of his mother and grandparents throughout his political career.