The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American DreamThe Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Score Modern
What it's about
Written when he was a first-term senator from Illinois, Barack Obama's second book lays out his thoughts on American politics and values: how partisanship has poisoned Washington, the Constitution, faith, race, the economy, foreign policy and family life, and how Americans might find common ground.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 16 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It's the book that introduced Obama's political vision before his presidential run.
You'll love it if you liked
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Becoming
Profiles in CourageGood to know
It's a policy-minded book, more essay than memoir.
By the numbers
- Readers15 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller78 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #37 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #229 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #1046 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1931 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking, True story, Adventurous
More by Barack Obama
A Promised LandDreams From My Father: A Story of Race and InheritanceIf you like this, read next
When Breath Becomes Air
The Passage of Power
Master of the Senate
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
How to Be an AntiracistExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream worth reading?
Yes. It spent 16 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,931 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream about?
Written when he was a first-term senator from Illinois, Barack Obama's second book lays out his thoughts on American politics and values: how partisanship has poisoned Washington, the Constitution, faith, race, the economy, foreign policy and family life, and how Americans might find common ground.
How long does it take to read The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream?
About 10 hours (386 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream?
If you liked it, try Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, Becoming by Michelle Obama or Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy.