Of his two books, I liked the previous book, "Dreams From My Father" quite a bit better than this book. That book has some personal insights and stories of self discovery. I was hoping that reading these two books would give me a clearer understanding of what Obama really believes, and what he would really do as president. After finishing these books I am left unsatisfied and with many questions. The most important turning points in his life were only superficially described. Describing the turning points well is what makes biographies powerful and interesting. How did he fall into and out of drug use? How did he come to religion? This was really not very clear to me. I really could not tell if he came to religion as a tool to reach the community and found Jesus, or just continued to find the church useful. This book was quite long in vignettes expressing "I am like you", "I love the American Dream", "I want to help", "I want to make change happen", but quite short on "I will do x" and "I believe y". Both JFK and Clinton (my two favorite presidents in my lifetime) expressed a similar positive vision, but at the same time they expressed a focused practical vision that I did not find in Obama's volumes. I very much like many of the things Obama says, and I very much like the way he says them, but I expect more. It is the things not said that leave me unsatisfied.

Barak proves that he has no agenda or platform. There was no meat in this book.

This book is a well written, well crafted message for a presidential candidate. Obama utilized the space on these pages and the time granted by the audience to lay out the framework for his political platform. He does so in an unassuming yet fervent manner that is only intensified by the fact that he reads the work himself. Though there is no question that this book was meant to launch his presidential bid, it comes across as honest and more genuine than any stump speech. For those who are interested in learning more about Obama as a potential candidate, this is an excellent choice... For those who may lean to the right politically, but know that a strong leader with moral principles to guide the nation is more important then party affiliation, this is an excellent choice. And finally, even those who have no interest in the other party's candidates will find Obama's message and direction as outlined in this book, speak beyond party, beyond alliances, beyond politics, and to the heart of every American.

I found the book to be very inspiring. It is good to hear the audio book read by the author. I found some of the book a little too party line but it sounds good when Barack talks about the seperation of church and state. However, his religious beliefs are a foundation of what he is.

Even though I am republican I found it very good to hear from a possible future presidential or VP candidate. Depending on stances Barack takes on certain issues; I could vote for this man.

I was impressed by this book, and by the man behind it. Finally we have a politician who is a human being first and a politician second. It is with renewed hope I am looking forward to the presidential election in 2008 after reading this book.

Obama is a great man whose story is one the chracterizes the American Dream. It is a good story about his climb to Obama's current position. Although I find him very well spoken and level headed, I was hoping to hear more about what he stands for and how we can change this country for the better. I found myself wanting something more from the book.

Growing up in these United States was a very tough time for blacks,we had very limited rights.Keep in mind that it wasn't long before that we were slaves fighting for our freedom.It was real tough times,most of us wasn't allowed books,so not many blacks could read.However it didn't stop many who felt they wanted to break away from this kind of life.Our black women was abused by white men.As time past things started to get just a little better,we had a number of blacks who stepped up and became leaders,inventors and statesmen.At that point we began to feel like we were giving something more to this country who still refuse to accept us as being part of this vass land of our.We didn't let anything stop us,we had a mission.Our mission was to be free of the chains that bline us.Our black men and women educated themselves and each other.We began to see that having education was a very powerful tool.We began to build this country with our inventions,even thou we never received credit for our accomplishments we continued to move forward.I believe then we realize we can do anything we want to do as long as we put our mind to it and stay focued,not to let anything or anyone get in our way of self improvement.Soon people like Dr Martin Luther King,John Lewis and many others began a movement that would change history.So many people lost their freedom and their lives so we can be where we are today.During the years of Dr King I watched people being beatin,hosed down and attacked by dogs.But we continued moving forward,because those who were left said"we will not be moved".I'm writing about how we as black people came to the point we are at now.Of course there is so much more,but I needed just to get people to understand the reason behide our joy and happeness for President Obama.The fact that hundred of years later we have an African American holding the highest position in the country.This is important because now all those who died their death wasn't in vain.

I found the book to be a window into this man. Regardless of my politics or partialalities, it is an important read given the upcoming election.

admittedly, i'm a bit biased here, but none the less, i feel confident in recommending this book to nearly anyone. president obama has a voice that is all at once soothing and energizing, calming and rousing. his ideas and anecdotes are presented in a interesting mix of seriousness and humor. there's humorous scarcasm used in presenting some of the stranger happenings in the political process and the people involved in it. there's hope, sadness and laughter all put together to not only let you know more about the man himself, but also about his plans, for himself, the nation he loves and the world at large. never stuffy, i found that this audiobook is suitable for nearly any audience, whether well aquainted with the man already or not. thoroughly enjoyable, even for those listeners without much political interest in the author. i found myself at the end wanting hours more of this man, his voice and his story.

This has been one of the best non-fiction books I have "read". Enjoyed his reading style and what he has to say. What a no non sense person and what a great leader who could be if given the chance.