Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Version: Abridged
Author: Barack Obama
Narrator: Barack Obama
Genres: Biographies, Social Science
Publisher: Random House Audio
Date: May 2005
Length: 7 hours
Ratings:
Formats :
  • CD
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Overview

In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father--a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man--has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey--first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother's family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father's life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance.

Selected Reviews

meh

by nancing
  • Book Rating: 3/5

Quite a Life!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 20

Reviews (20)

meh

Written by nancing on April 30th, 2011

  • Book Rating: 3/5

In the hands of great writer, this story could have been magnificent. Alas, Obama's pragmatism and over-controlled (and depressed?) personality shine through in his writing style. The facts of his life and motivations are compelling and fascinating. They will ring true to many of us who were raised in multi-cultural/national/faith families. But if you were expecting a tale of obstacles overcome, of universal insights learned, you will be heartily disappointed (and even outright bored at times). While his speeches are characterized by optimism, lyricism and enthusiasm, his book, surprisingly, falls flat. If you want to know more about our president, "read" it. Just not with baited breath.

Quite a Life!

Written by Anonymous on November 10th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Obama has had quite a life. This book is a good peek into the background of our first multi-cultural president.

for or against

Written by erinspottery on October 14th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I think if you are for Obama, or against, white or black, republican or democrat, male or female, poor or rich -- you need to listen to this book. It is help on all sides of the judges table to help us not only understand our president, but to also understand each other.

Dreams from my Father

Written by Anonymous on December 27th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I read/listened to this before the election and it changed my mind --I voted for him! Good insight into our next president!

President Obama

Written by Xavier on December 8th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Who is this man we elected as president? Part of the answer is to be found by listening to him read what he wrote about his life. For the most part I found the narrative engaging. At times it was thought provoking.

Very insightful

Written by Roger from Annandale, VA on December 8th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Fascinating insights into the man. Intelligently written and nicely read, although it's always jarring to hear the president-elect cursing so freely.

Delusional

Written by Anonymous on June 24th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 0/5

If you really want the true perspective Obama sees life through and not the delusion he has created for himself, read A Bound Man by Shelby Steele. That is extremely insightful!

Dreams from My Father

Written by Jean from Santa Cruz, CA on June 22nd, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I think this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I think it is important that this was written before Obama became a politician and would be thinking of the image he wants to portray. He did a fantastic job as reader. Everyone should read his two books before they vote for or against him this fall. It was great they add his speech at the Democratic convention. I think that was one of the best political speeches in recent time was great to hear it again. This is a must read for everyone.

Dreams

Written by Anonymous on May 28th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed listening to this book. It definitely provided insight into who the man Barack Hussein Obama is. This book offers an in depth look into his life and the shaping of his character in his own words. You won't get this perspective in the media! I personally believe everyone should read this book and make an informed decision before casting your ballot in November.

A glimpse before he became a politician

Written by Anonymous on April 30th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Wonderful! Not only is his story interesting, but the insights and concerns he has gives a lot of insight into his person. Unlike other books by politicians it was written before he entered politics, so it gives a truer insight into his personality. Particularly useful are his insights into human nature, the stresses of life, race, and poverty. Nothing unique or mind-altering in his beliefs, but that type of self-reflection and sincerity is rare among politicians, particularly presidential politicians.

Selected Reviews

meh

by nancing
  • Book Rating: 3/5

Quite a Life!

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 20

Author Details

Author Details

Obama, Barack

BARACK OBAMA is the junior U.S. senator from Illinois and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Malia and Sasha.