Hopes and Dreams: The Story of Barack Obama

by Steve Dougherty, Hal Buell (Editor)

The First Biographical Portrait Ever of This Key Political Figure

Written by a leading journalist and filled with more than 100 color photographs, this authoritative and up-to-the-moment new biography provides much-needed perspective on one of the most important figures on the national political stage.

An lively overview of Obama’s life, this timely book begins with his difficult childhood as the son of a Kansas-born college student and a black Kenyan who abandoned the family, moving through his election to president of the Harvard Law Review (the first black student ever), his early political career (including his loss of a congressional race in 2000), his own family life with wife Michelle and two daughters, his 2004 election to U.S. Senator, and his emergence as a symbol of hope for America. Including his own words and comments from both his critics and supporters, Hopes and Dreams is essential reading for all those interested in the man who is being talked about as a candidate for our highest office.

No political figure in recent memory has generated the interest that Obama has, and many compare his appeal to that of a rock star. Only forty-five years old, Barack Obama is certain to play an important role in America’s future. Here is his inspiring story to date, in words and revealing images.

Genres: Biography, History, Autobiography, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2007

About the author

Steve Dougherty is a longtime writer for People magazine and contributes to The New York Times. He has also written for Gannett, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and the Atlanta Constitution. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of an outline than an actual book full of personal details that Obama shared. This one is more like a coffee table book with Obama's history outlined in brief passages. It is full of photos, quotes and it is very inspiring to read. This is perfect for those who are short on time to read "The Audacity of Hope" but yet want to learn more about our future president.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1994 before Barack Obama was running for any office much less President. It is a very candid story of his life, his views on race (which change over time), his personal struggles with faith, and his views on service. The vast majority of the story takes place before he enters Law School...so it is a very interesting window into his formative years. It is very thought provoking and I enjoyed it very much. Even if you aren't considering him for President the book raises many issues about identity, race, and community which are discussed with clarity and even handedness.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps readers understand the president's background and the people and events that helped shape him today. I also enjoyed reading about the roles his wife and two daughters play in keeping the man down-to-earth. This book clearly has substance in its contents but if pressed for time, it's worth just checking out the photographs of his formative years (including those of his adolescent years). If I have a complaint, it's that I would have wanted more of these photographs to contain his formative years (rather than those of the last 5 years).

[Taneysha forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS MAINLY ABOUT BARACK OBAMA LIFE AND HIS EXPERIENCE AND HOW HE SETS A GOAL TO BECOME PRESIENT.THIS BOOK IS ABOUT HOW OBAMA HAD PLANS TO SET GOALS TO HELP PEOPLE AND WORK HARD TO BECOME PRESIDENTE. WELL OBAMA EXPLAINS HIS LIFE STORY AS BECOMING PRESIDENTE AND HE ALSO HAD PLANS TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT A BLACK MAN CAN DO EVEYTHING A WHITE OR HISPANCI GUY COULD DO.YOU CAN GET THIS AT THE LIBARY.

[Ravi]

Also going to check out this one on Obama for my personality theory paper, but this is more of a picture book with a few words in there. Figure'd it'll give me a good idea of what to picture when I'm reading his book, the audacity of hope.

[Ike · Rating 4 out of 5]

enaknya kerja di books distribution ya gitu..bisa baca gratis..wekekekek..ada waktu senggang tinggal ke gudang deh..obama ternyata ayah tirinya orang indonesia lho..moga2 ada influence nya kalo sampai dia terpilih..

[Syaheed]

i believe he will win 4 the election...

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures

[Jamie]

looks good.

[Nala]

good

[Zoe H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a biography. I read it in quarter 2.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book...pretty simple writing but I still liked it.