Review

Regardless of your specific views, if you are a "political junkie" (as this reviewer is), then I am certain you will thoroughly enjoy this "peek behind the curtains." President Obama writes as he speaks - wonderfully. His descriptions, and the phrases and choice of words he uses, are simply a delight. In addition to telling his readers about the details of, events we probably recall, he addresses a good number of issues that remain very much at the forefront of politics and political life in America today. These issues include: how we became so deeply divided, our on-going encounters with, and fights against, terrorism, climate issues, leaks, the economy and corresponding "bail outs," and, many other aspects of high level government operations. The author thoughtfully asks many questions and records numerous insightful observations: "What made some movements succeed where others failed? Was it a sign of success when portions of a cause were absorbed by conventional politics, or was it a sign that the cause had been hijacked? When was compromise acceptable and when was it selling out, and how did one know the difference? And: "I reminded myself that every president felt saddled with the previous administration's choices and mistakes, that 90 percent of the job was navigating inherited problems and unanticipated crises. Only if you did that well enough, with discipline and purpose, did you get a real shot at shaping the future." We also get brief, but insightful, glimpses into the personalities of a good number of the main "players" in our Capital and around the world, and President Obama's views of them. To that end, when he visited West Point, he shares some especially interesting reflections about wars and battles: "Glory and tragedy, courage and stupidity - one set of truths didn't negate the other. For war was contradiction, as was the history of America." In but one of many passages, President Obama explains that in trying to deal with Iran and the threat of nuclear weapons: "To get Iran's attention, we'd have to persuade other countries to tighten the vise. And that meant getting buy-in from a pair of powerful, historic adversaries that didn't like sanctions as a matter of principle, and friendly diplomatic and commercial relations with Iran - and mistrusted U.S. intentions almost as much as Tehran did." The author writes his views of, and interactions with, his own family, and in addition to his victories, he shares a good number of disappointments and losses - sufficiently so readers may conclude that they are getting a true picture. Of course, he goes into considerable, and fascinating, detail about his various political campaigns, from the earliest all the way to the White House. And, in charming candor, President Obama wonders about the actual meaning and impact of his efforts: "Looking back, I sometimes ponder these - old question of how much difference the particular characteristics of individual leaders make in the sweep of history - whether those of us who rise to power are mere conduits for the deep, relentless currents of the times or whether we're at least partly the authors of what's to come. I wonder whether our... [own life experiences] carry as much force as any technological shift of socioeconomic trend." Simply stated, this is a compelling book - one that illuminates as well as educates. The author demonstrates abundant regard and respect for his readers, not only in his manifest command of the English language, but in what he chooses to address in this marvelous memoir, and even in the numerous color pictures he shares with us. Any reader will come away having learned a great deal, both specifically about various events and individuals, but also to larger, on-going issues - important then; still important now.

< Back