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 - Crying - and a WASP seldom does soWhat a candid and inspirational book ! No doubt there's little I can say that hasn't already been said, but I simply wanted to note that as a WASP and a somewhat cynical boomer, I rarely tear up, but I was frequently moved to tears by this insightful book. Obama's life path was very different, and much more challenging than mine. Although I already intellectually knew that before reading this book, it impacted me emotionally; perhaps because I never knew my real father. That a work with this depth and insight was written by a man in his mid-20s is even more amazing, and telling. Read it, but bring Kleenex. Rating: - Audiotape with Obama as narrator is as inspiring as the storyI am listening to the audio of this book, and am so much enjoying Pres. Elect Obama's narrating. It is a wonderful story, and I hope this book gets a resurrenge of interest. Rating: - even if you've read the book, you'll love this CDI read Dreams From My Father a couple of years ago and loved the book, but hearing Obama read this book is a unique and wonderful experience. I found it very moving and an exceptional experience. I bought one set for me and one for my grandson. Rating: - A Strong ReadI highly recommend this book to almost everyone. The writing is thoughtful and interesting, and the subject matter unique. In the end that "community" is really the community of humanity, but this book takes you on Barack's journey. The Bobby Brown biography Imagine being in one of the most successful boy bands of all time, New Edition; Then leave the group to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world; Date some of the most world renown celebrities, such as Janet Jackson and Madonna.... Bobby Brown: The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But... Rating: - "Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name."Published in 1995, long before Barack Obama could have even conceived of running for president, this coming-of-age memoir brilliantly reflects the confusion of having mixed race parents and of being a "black" man in today's America. It also finely tells the story of a boy and then a man and his elusive delusions about his missing father. Finally tracking down his heritage and the truth, through Kansas, then Hawaii, and then Kenya, Obama spins an insightful and authentic tale about losing and then finding himself through his father. This tale of the son seeking his father is an ancient one, and Barack does it justice here. He transcends race, and embraces his fragmented past in order to make himself as whole as he can be. This is a literary work. Its metaphors and descriptions are well thought out and satisfying to read. It bears contrast with James Baldwin's "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and James McBride's "The Color of Water." Read it, and be amazed that we have this thoughtful, brilliant, introspective, self-aware person as our president. What a miracle!
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