Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obamas Plan to Renew Americas Promise by Barack Obama

Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obamas Plan to Renew Americas Promise Reviews

• 
  Gil Bradshaw

  I'm glad to see that someone in Obama's team has thought through so many issues in such a comprehensive manner. There is value from a PR standpoint in this book.
  
  Not a beach read though. And its depressing because he addresses so many issues that are confronting our country and the whole country seems like its at such a dead end.
  
  I like the idea of this book because his writing of the book will hold him accountable more than other presidents. To rebut his actions, you can point to page [_] where he said he would do [_] and [_]. Why haven't you done [_] like you said?
  
  Frankly, I appreciate the transparency. This, among other things, makes me think that Obama's intentions are sincere. The book really sets him up for failure if he can't deliver. It will be interesting to see if he can do some of the things he says he will in his book.
  
  Finally, he can point to his book for his cabinet and have them use it as a baseline for their actions. In essence, he isn't communicating just to the voters, but to his entire appointed staff.
• 
  Becky

  Since I don't agree with most liberal policies, this book didn't stand a good chance of being "liked" - but I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the more moderate stances he has, particularly as concerns some national defense issues... if these are sincere and not just rhetoric to appease the masses who care about our security. However, apart from a summary and laundry list of policies and goals, there is no philosophical or argumentative basis (or support or examples for that matter) to persuade the reader as to why their approach is the right or best or appropriate approach to begin with... which leaves this book with all kinds of assumptions and holes, and leaving it utterly uninteresting to read. This and the fact that even when it does give specifics, they are completely out of context (ie. giving dollar amounts that mean nothing to most of us).
• 
  Laurie

  I actually didn't know what this book was when I started reading it. I thought it was written by Obama, but in fact it appears to have been written by his campaign staff with a foreword from Obama. And that's fine, but I wish I had read this book before the campaign because reading it after the election is a little silly. I already voted for the man so it's really not necessary for anyone to try and sell me on him. That's what this book does, essentially. It lays out everything Obama hopes to do in his presidency, which is great because now we have a written account of what he hopes to accomplish and we can check back every so often to see if he is living up to the expectations he set for himself. Whoever had the idea to put this book into publication was probably a genius because this is the sort of thing that the American people need to see: bullet points instead of talk, talk, talk with nothing to say, straightforward goals, etc.
• 
  Fiza Pathan

  'Change We Can Believe In' was a really eye opening read into the manifesto of President Barack Obama. It is an intensive read but worth it. I especially loved President Barack Obama's ideas about how education should be given top priority for a country to develop. I was glad to see that most of what was contained in the manifesto was fulfilled by Obama during his two terms as the President of the USA. His views on lobbyists, Congress, tax cuts, education, energy production along with it's management, infrastructure etc are very important points to read up & analyze. 'Change We Can Believe In' gets 5 stars from me. I hope now to read his latest autobiography as well as writings about his presidency to see if he truly fulfilled all that he promised to the people of America.
• 
  Bjorn Sorensen

  If we're using ratings, I would say that Obama ran a 5-star campaign and has so far been a 3-star president. I appreciate his calmness, his openness, and not in comparison to Bush because we as a country have far more to do than simply make up for 2000-2008: we now have an opportunity to change economic and political systems that continually brings us cycles of poverty and war.
  
  The book itself, while having its moments of specificity and inspiration, is still frustrating. A lot of numbers are thrown around without any reference points or historical context. One statement reads "As President, [Barack Obama:] will form an international working group and dedicate $2 billion to help the more than five million Iraqi refugees throughout the region." This acknowledges a large and pressing need, but is it enough money? Didn't Barack say during the campaign that Iraq had plenty of funding from its oil revenues? The book as a whole is more specific than most political titles, which I appreciate, but often leaves vital background information out. In the end there's not much to remember nor discuss with others.
  
  And it doesn't answer some bigger questions - will Barack get anything significant done being slightly left of center on most issues? His big endeavor in 2009-2010 looks like it will be universal health care, which would provide a huge benefit to American businesses, who have to pay for benefits while European businesses don't. Their governments, using single-payer systems (the payer being the government itself) pick up most or all of the tab. Will Obama's system of universal health care withstand being changed or gutted by the next administration?
  
  Couldn't we get past all lobbyists - especially the ones from defense companies that continually push for war and those from the health care industry who ensure that Americans pay far more for health care per capita than anybody else from the top 20 wealthiest nations - with publicly funded elections? Shouldn't we be cutting our defense budget in half (still spending significantly more than any other country) and focus on fighting poverty worldwide instead of sending 17,000 of our troops to Afghanistan?
  
  I acknowledge that these are broad ideas, ones usually not found in our mainstream media. As a friend told me last week: "Sheesh, he can't do everything, he's only been in office a short time!" That's true, but how long will Barack have with so many like-minded legislators in Congress? Does a violence-plagued, economically wrecked country and international community have time to wait while Obama learns the ropes?
  
  As our new president reminds us, we all have responsibility to register our opinions, converse with our neighbors and serve our communities to make a lasting difference. The current political climate offers more opportunities than we've had in a long, long time.
• 
  John

  I arrived home from work today and found this book in my mailbox. I walked into my home, sat down, and read it in its entirety. It is rare that I consume a book so completely without pause.
  
  As with any all encompassing policy proposal there will be items that you completely agree with and others that you would want to see some alterations to before being implemented. But, when read in the light (or shadows) of the last eight years under the Bush administration, Obama's vision is a breath of fresh air that allows you to once again ponder what America is truly capable of accomplishing. When read in comparison with the muddled, status quo policies being hocked by McCain, it is difficult to see how any critical thinking citizen with a social conscience could not easily prefer Obama's proposal.
  
  Of course, some of Obama's proposals will still need to be outlined in a more comprehensive manner, but what is offered in this volume clearly shows his pragmatism and careful consideration of issues that will unify, strengthen, and move America forward into the 21st century. If you believe we, as Americans, are better as a nation when we work together to find solutions that improve the lives and secure the freedoms of ALL of our citizens, then you will find much to appreciate in this book.
  
  I had originally planned to give this book four stars for the outline of Obama's plan. But, in addition to the plan, seven of Obama's speeches are included at the back of the book. Among them is his "A More Perfect Union" speech that he gave in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008, where he confronted the issue of race in America. This speech alone is more than worthy of an additional star in my rating.
• 
  Shahamat Shakir

  In the beginning we see that Obama wants the war in Iraq to come to an end, which was the central front.
  
  1. The campaign position of Obama is outlined just like any great leader. The book does not have any news in the first portion. It more or less just like a speech. Obama focuses on praising his campaign staffs for their support.
  
  2. In the second portion of the book contains all of Obama’s speeches. According to me the perfect union given in Philadelphia and his Father’s Day Speech in Chicago are the best.
  
  Finally,
  1. The tone of his voice is very humble and inspiring at the same time.
  
  2. Obama’s vision of America and its position in the world is outlined in the book. It also shows us how important he thinks education is.
  
  3. “ I screwed up more often than I should have” is one of the best lines in the book.
• 
  Diane

  Change We Can Believe In outlines Barack Obama's vision for America.
  
  This trade sized paperback is just 288 pages, but inside the pages you will read about specific ideas about how to fix our ailing economy and strengthen the middle class, make health care affordable for all, achieve energy independence, and keep America safe in a dangerous world. They writing is clear and succinct. I especially enjoyed reading his speeches, as it has been many months since I first heard some of them. The eloquent manner in which his speeches were spoken came to life once again as I read his words.
  
  
  Change We Can Believe In asks you not just to believe in Barack Obama’s ability to bring change to Washington, it asks you to believe in yours as well. Yes We Can!
  
  4.5/5 stars
• 
  Marcia

  I confess, I couldn't finish reading this. It was really boring. In fairness, I'm not an Obama fan, but I thought this book might help me understand him better. It's mostly a summary of many of Obamas speaches. Most of it is just words with no meaning. Ideals without ideas. And the few things that he said that sounded like great ideas that I would actually get behind, are things that once in office he has done the opposit of the idea he put forth in his speach. So instead of understanding him better, it left me even more confused. Overall dissapointing.
• 
  sandy_crimebypassion

  ‘Change we can believe in’ is a campaign manifesto which I thought was written by Barack Obama but looks like it isn’t.
  
  The entire book had various promises that leaders make and different challenges that America faced during that time. But trust me it feels a lot like textbook content.
  
  This book would be loved by people who do attend a lot of campaigns for political parties but I am sorry it’s definitely not for me. I DNF’ed this book after reading 20% which itself is a big deal.
  
  But I love the book cover and some of the photos of Obama in it. They just make my day.
• 
  Joe

  This is a neat little book filled with mostly Barack's policies. Even better, the book contains 7 of the good senator's speeches from the campaign trail. I have listened to many of those speeches and they are fascinating, not only for the content, but for his eloquent way of speaking. If you have ever heard him speak, you will hear his voice clearly in this book.
• 
  Lori Tatar

  It is a great accounting of what we have been promised and will become a great instrument with which to measure how many promises have been fulfilled. It is no wonder Obama was elected president. However, after having heard most of his speeches and being very familiar with his campaign and its platforms, the book is redundant.
• 
  Cassie

  Outlines what the heck he's gonna do as President. I like clear cut answers and plans! Obama 08!
• 
  Jostalady

  I appreciated that Barack laid out his plan for moving the US forward. I listened to each section multiple times to make sure I understood it, whether or not I agreed.
• 
  Dexter Lawson

  Trump is change I can believe in. Buy "Art of the Deal" instead.
• 
  Rafael Suleiman

  A very good synopsis of the agenda of President Barack Obama.
• 
  T.L. Cooper

  Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise set on my shelves in my reading stacks for approximately a decade before I finally read it. It's interesting to read it now that Barack Obama has served two terms as President of the United States. The successes, failures, and compromises of his presidency are all highlighted by reading this plan filled with hope, unifying ideas, and calls for working together. Reading it also reminded me of my own cynicism and how important it is to have hope. As I read I thought about how often we, as voters and citizens, get caught up what we hear on television or in speeches and don't bother to pay attention to the actual proposals being put forth. Change We Can Believe In holds a hope within it that we can rise above petty differences to achieve the aspirations we claim to have.
• 
  Michael Jolls

  Obama's official campaign companion, "Change We Can Believe In", we see the detailed framework of reconfiguring the economy - which seems to be a litany of where billions of dollars are going to spread to various sectors. The stance on immigration (which I did screen shot) reads just like Donald Trump; different rhetoric, but the same message. The last quarter of the book includes a variety of speeches which really bring home that "new-JFK" patriotism that captured the vast majority of America in 2008.
• 
  Ashley

  This was a pretty dry book to read but informative. I think most conservatives would be surprised by some of Obama’s moderate takes. Also, I think it’s great that his stances were all compiled together so that someone who isn’t entrenched with politics could read/understand.
• 
  Linda

  It was an interesting read even though it was written before he became president. It set out all what he wanted to do as president.
• 
  Ankit

  Great book
• 
  Adam

  For the speeches at the end.
• 
  Arnold Luwugge

  Easy read.
• 
  Kyla Middleton

  A “Change We Can Believe In” is not a typical novel; it is a collection of seven speeches President Barack Obama made while he was a senator of Illinois and running for the presidency. The novel starts off in part one with the President’s own words. It begins with his opinion of what society was like while he was running for president, and also massive amounts of criticism of George W. Bush. The entire novel consists of this. The novel includes Obama’s own plans for the economy, foreign policy, and job creation; but the underlying theme of the entire novel is that the Republican policies that President Bush used as president for eight years did not work for the country, and Obama would be able to change the effects these plans had on the country as president.
  
  The novel then moves on to Obama’s view on the economy. There he highlights the importance of the middle class in America and his plans for them. This is the most important and pivotal part of the novel because it displays a majority of what Obama was campaigning for. It displays that he was campaigning for the lower classes in society; he wanted to bring the power back to them with his plans. This is how he gained most of his votes during the election and was a preview of the change that was to come for our country. The novel then continues to transition over to renewable energy and education. Obama explains in this section that investing in renewable energy programs and education will be great, profitable, and important investments for the future of America.
  
  The novel then transitions into themes of unifying the country. Obama proposes his plans to help unify the country. This leads the reader into part two of the novel where all seven important campaign speeches of the President are highlighted. The book begins with Obama’s declaration speech in Illinois, it then moves on to a speech he made in caucus night, then a speech he made in New Hampshire on primary night, then a speech made in Pennsylvania, then to a speech made on Father’s Day in Chicago, then a speech he made in Michigan, and finally with a speech he made in Germany. All of these speeches bring the themes from part one of the novel back into the reader’s attention. They continue to highlight Obama’s views of and for the country and also include his plans for the economy, foreign policy, and unifying the nation.
  
  This novel is important because it is historic and insightful. It addresses the issues of the times during the 2008 presidential race and provides insight on how the country would shift in the future. This makes it evident that this novel is more than a collection of speeches; it is a collection of someone expressing himself democratically and proposing change for the country. One who is interested with politics or the President himself would enjoy this book. I would not recommend this book for someone who is not interested in politics or someone who is not fond of the president. If you do enjoy both politics and the president, then this is an educating and insightful read.