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rachd24's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* Review - Check out my full review here:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2016/11/28/review-dreams-from-my-father/
The really interesting thing about this book is that it was written before Obama was even involved in politics, and long before he had aspirations of becoming President. I appreciated this, I felt like there was no hidden agenda, and he could be much more honest with his thoughts and memories - he didn't have to overtly censor himself for fear of public perception and backlash. This made it feel as though I was genuinely getting an insight into the man, not the politician.
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/2016/11/28/review-dreams-from-my-father/
The really interesting thing about this book is that it was written before Obama was even involved in politics, and long before he had aspirations of becoming President. I appreciated this, I felt like there was no hidden agenda, and he could be much more honest with his thoughts and memories - he didn't have to overtly censor himself for fear of public perception and backlash. This made it feel as though I was genuinely getting an insight into the man, not the politician.
lizzycatslibrary's review
3.0
Well, I went into this book expecting it to be quite different from what it turned out to be. I was hoping it would address Barack Obama's biracialness more. While it does talk about this it focuses very much on Obama reclaiming his Kenyan roots and what it means for him to be black in America. There were parts where I recognized the double bind of being mixed race and the pull to try and adhere and fit into one box but I felt that rather than coming to terms with this he pushed himself further into a box. Now that is not to say that this wasn't an important and introspective memoir. I felt it very deeply explored what it means to be black in America and where Barack Obama's place is within this spectrum. I really enjoyed the second part of the book where he takes his first trip to Kenya and meets all his relatives. The stories and the roots are fascinating and I wonder whether he still holds the bonds that he formed with his family. I really want to read Auma Obama's memoir because I think it would be really interesting to compare and contrast the two. Overall, I am glad I read this book even though it was not quite what I was expecting. It was interesting to see this side of the now current President of the United States. It made me admire and respect him even more.
allieypop's review
5.0
“That's what the leadership was teaching me, day by day: that the self-interest I was supposed to be looking for extended well beyond the immediacy of issues, that beneath the small talk and sketchy biographies and received opinions, people carried with them some central explanation of themselves. Stories full of terror and wonder, studded with events that still haunted or inspired them. Sacred stories.”
knittingknerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kdawn999's review against another edition
3.0
I normally wouldn’t dream of reading anything abridged, but that was the only audio option I could find with Obama reading it himself, and I really couldn’t imagine listening to someone else. He is a good reader, and I was drawn in to any family details—especially of his years growing up in Indonesia, which I hadn’t given much thought to before. The part about community organizing dragged for me, and I wish that bit had felt more personal than politically motivated. But this did remind me of all the hope felt about Obama in 2008 and this uniquely global citizen we were lucky to call president once.
celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
This book is well written and you can see the progression to the politician he became.
laurassc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
dreaminthepages's review against another edition
4.0
I loved listening to Obama talk about his childhood and life up to the point of senator of Illinois via audiobook! I particularly enjoyed his time in Kenya and it felt like I was there meeting his entire family, especially since these are usually how my family reunions go! This book really did make you feel that anything is possible...no matter your upbringing or background!
I loved that his speech as newly elected senator of Illinois was included at the end too!
I had to knock off 1 star as, it could just be me but I thought Obama talked too fast! So I found myself rewinding to catch what he had said clearly and some bits I zoned out off because they bored me a little (but those moments were very few)
I loved that his speech as newly elected senator of Illinois was included at the end too!
I had to knock off 1 star as, it could just be me but I thought Obama talked too fast! So I found myself rewinding to catch what he had said clearly and some bits I zoned out off because they bored me a little (but those moments were very few)