Arts & Culture
Book Recommendations of the week: “Dreams from My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope,” by Barack Obama
Automation Librarian
If you are interested in learning more about our new President, I would definitely recommend reading about his life and vision for the future in his own words. As one New York Times reviewer wrote, the President is “that rare politician who can actually write – and write movingly and genuinely about himself.”
“Dreams from My Father” is a wonderfully written, introspective memoir that recounts the struggle of growing up straddling two racial worlds and finding a way to forge his own personal identity.
“The Audacity of Hope” is more of a political book. In this work, it is easy to find parallels with the speeches that Obama gave throughout his campaign that laid out his platform on the issues. He mixes discussion of foreign policy issues such as the war in Iraq, the Middle East and terrorism with domestic issues including health care and education. He also interjects entertaining stories that often reflect the difficulties and absurdities of life in Washington. Whether or not you supported the President in the election, reading these books will provide you with a clearer idea of who he is, what he believes and how he came to be the 44th President.
“The Audacity of Hope” can be found on the third floor of the University Library at E901.1.O23 A3 2006.
“Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” is in the leisure reading collection in the main lobby where the books are loosely organized alphabetically by author.
To view video book recommendations by faculty and students, go to BookPointers, located at the bottom of the Library homepage: http://library.uwsp.edu/ .
